Abstract: One side wall of a liquid crystal display device (11) having a surface iluminant light source (backlight) is formed by one side wall (521) of an outer frame (bezel cover) (500) and a vertical wall of a lamp cover (850). In this liquid crystal display device (11), the lower end of the side wall (521) of the outer frame (500) and the upper end of the cover (850) are provided with bent ends (853, 523) and these bent ends (853, 523) engage with each other. In this way it is possible to make the display than and lightweight while maintaining ample rigidity, Also, the liquid crystal panel (100) is not readily damaged by shocks from outside. Furthermore, replacement of the linear light source (811) is extremely easy.

Abstract: An indicator for an appliance includes a light bar formed of molded plastic material. The bar is interconnected to the control elements of the appliance so the periphery of the bar lights whenever any element of the appliance is active. The bar is designed so the periphery of the light bar is exposed along the exterior edge of the appliance.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display is provided which has improved wide angle viewing characteristics. The liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal matrix. A non-planar fluorescent lamp positioned on a first side of the liquid crystal matrix has a center which traverses the fluorescent lamp in at least one longitudinal direction. A distance between the first side of the liquid crystal matrix and the fluorescent lamp center in a first portion of the fluorescent lamp is less than a distance between the first side of the liquid crystal matrix and the fluorescent lamp center in a second portion of the fluorescent lamp.

Abstract: A backlighting unit for illuminating a planar display is provided, comprising an illumination source having a light emitting portion for emitting illumination toward the generally planar display, and a reflector for collecting the emitted illumination and reflecting the collected illumination toward the planar display, the reflector being positioned intermediate the illumination source and the display. The illumination source is a fluorescent lamp having an interior surface thereof substantially coated with a phosphor, and the light emitting portion is an aperture in the fluorescent lamp wherein no phosphor coating is present. The fluorescent lamp may be provided with a reflective wrap for increasing its illumination gain. A lens positioned between the reflector and the display receives the illumination reflected by the reflector and redirects the received illumination toward the display to provide even backlit illumination thereof.

Abstract: A light emitting push button for operating purposes, for instance a number button on a telephone apparatus, includes a body which is double-molded from two different plastic materials, of which one material is light conductive and the other is opaque. Light from a light emitting device, such as a light emitting diode, striking the underside of the push button is conducted through the light conductive material and is emitted on the upper side of the button. A slot is formed between the light conductive material and the opaque material on the upper side of the button, such that light conducted through the light conductive material will be scattered uniformly and be visible from all directions.

Abstract: The present invention has its purpose to obtain a bright luminescent in a surface light source device using a light conducting member.In the surface light source device according to the present invention, a light source is disposed in the vicinity of a light incident edge surface of the light conducting member, a light diffusing plate is arranged on the light emitting side of the light conducting member, and a prism sheet having a multiplicity of convex portions is provided on a side of the light diffusing member, which is opposite to the side where the light conducting member is arranged: and further each of the convex portion of the prism sheet is arranged such that the inclined angle on the light source side is smaller than the inclined angle on the opposite side thereof. Therefore, the luminescent light is directed to the portion to be illuminated of the liquid crystal display apparatus and thus a bright luminescent can be obtained.

Abstract: Backlighting for an LCD display is provided by a direct backlight unit which is hinged to the front panel in which the display is mounted. When closed, the backlight unit lamps and reflector transmit light directly against the back of the display. The reflector surfaces are made by a combination of constant radius, hyperbolic, parabolic and flat surfaces which maximize the emitted light transmitted to the display and help fill in for any failed or dimmed light sources.

Abstract: A chart recorder or other instrument has a window 10 within which is a key panel 1 composed of materials which are transparent in normal conditions. Incorporated in or associated with the individual elements of the key panel are display elements 22 applied to the transparent window material 20. The display elements are normally transparent but become visible, for example by fluorescence, when illuminated by radiation transmitted through the body of the transparent window material 20, rendering the key panel visible when needed for use.

Abstract: A lighting module for instruments with a liquid-crystal matrix (1) is disclosed. The module has a casing (5) including a back (8) and lateral walls (7), the said matrix closing off the casing on its face opposite the back, and at least one fluorescent tube (9). The fluorescent tube is disposed in the casing near the back. The back is reflective and shaped to form at least one parabolic cylindrical surface. The axis of the said fluorescent tube is substantially merged with the focal line of the said surface.

Abstract: An outer prism light guide surrounds a cover which in turn surrounds a light source. The outer guide is formed of prism light guide wall material having uniform shape in cross-sections perpendicular to a first octature symmetry direction, with its optical center line parallel to the first octature symmetry direction. Surfaces of the wall material are substantially in octature relative to the first octature symmetry direction. A surface normal vector at any point on any internal surface of the material is either substantially parallel or substantially perpendicular to a first notional line extending from the point through and perpendicular to the optical center line. The cover has cylindrical symmetry about the optical center line to intercept a substantial portion of light emitted by the source.

Abstract: A back-lit LCD apparatus comprises a LCD (1), one or more LEDs (3) (or other light sources), and a plate-like light guide (2) behind the LCD (1). An attenuating member (5) is included in front or behind the light guide (5). In the former case the attenuating member (5) is formed as a sheet of reflective material on which is printed a pattern of non-reflective dots for reducing the intensity of light reaching portions of the LCD nearest to the light source. In the latter case the attenuating member (5) is transparent and the dots are either opaque or reflective. The size and frequency of the dots may be varied to adjust the level of attenuation. Also, the pattern of dots may be graduated to provide progressively less attenuation as the distance from the LEDs increases.

Abstract: A box-like molded housing with an open front has a flexible printed circuit wrapped around it, the printed circuit having a terminal array attached to a housing flange adjacent the front opening. A frame having a translucent web or filter covers the open front and contains a liquid crystal cell. A slot in the frame contains an elastomeric connector for joining terminals on the cell with terminals on the printed circuit to provide control signals to the cell. The housing interior is a reflector cavity and contains lamps for illuminating the web and the cell through the web. The printed circuit carries surface mount components, supplies power to the lamps, and has a contact array for connection to spring contacts of an external connector.

Abstract: A light ledge device for a level instrument. The ledge device includes at least one light emitting diode. A translucent ledge has a cavity for receiving each light emitting diode. Each cavity is shaped so that each diode tightly joins the ledge.

Abstract: To allow smooth access to such elements as operating knobs for power window switches and a door lock switch provided in a unit panel in the night time lighting condition, the entire surface of an escutcheon panel mounted on the unit panel is defined as a switch operating part for an illuminating lamp which illuminates the elements to be accessed. The illuminating lamp may be lighted up for a prescribed time period to illuminate the escutcheon panel when the switch operating part is touched so that unnecessary consumption of electric power may be avoided. The escutcheon panel may be made of at lease semi-transparent plastic so that light from an illuminating lamp placed behind the escutcheon panel may be transmitted through the escutcheon panel. Alternatively, the element to be accessed such as a switch knob mounted on the escutcheon panel may be made of at lease semi-transparent plastic so that illuminating light may be transmitted therethrough.

Abstract: A chromatic tuner display comprises a base member, with a predetermined point on the base member corresponding to the precise pitch of a desired musical note.

Abstract: A pointer for use in an instrument panel, such as a speedometer, in a vehicle. According to one embodiment, the pointer includes a conically shaped pointer body to which a pointer base is secured. A light source is disposed within the pointer base and a slit is provided in the body. The inner surface of the pointer body is reflective such that light directed from the light source is reflected off of the reflective surface and through the slit. In another embodiment the light source is disposed externally of the pointer and a reflecting member is provided in the pointer for reflecting the light towards the distal end of the conical body. The reflecting member can include a reflecting mirror or, alternatively, a prism.

Abstract: A light-insulated lamp, methods of preparing such lamp and illuminating systems using lamps therein are provided. The lamp is rendered light-insulated by providing leads with two portions, a first portion inside an envelope and a second portion extends out from a base at an angle of about 90.degree. to the first portion, and encapsulating its base with an opaque plastic material, such as polybutylene terephthalate. The light-insulated lamp in combination with a compressive gasket and filter rings form an illuminating panel system which does not interfere with night vision goggles operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing illumination to flat panel displays having a multi-walled encasement device, lighting means and a flat panel display. The multi-walled encasement device may be of a variety of shapes and serves to support the lighting means within the cavity formed by its walls. The fluorescent bulb is fabricated into a circular design and placed within the multi-walled encasement device thereby providing uniform light intensity across the flat panel display attached to the encasement device. The encasement device may contain convex or concave contouring to better direct or concentrate light wave intensity to the flat panel display.

Abstract: An external compass module for use with a night vision device. The module includes an annular ring which is adapted to fit a portion of the night vision device which contains the objective lens. The module further includes an enclosure having an internal chamber. A compass sensor having an angular scale for indicating direction is positioned within the chamber. Optical elements are positioned adjacent to the scale which relay and collimate an image of the scale to a reflecting lens element. The reflecting lens element then reflects the scale image toward the objective lens which results in the superimposition of the scale image on a scene being viewed by the user.

Abstract: A prism-type pointer is provided adjacent to a front face of a prism-type dial plate in such a manner that their prism apex angles are directed in opposite directions, respectively. Those portions of the dial plate having characters/scale markings or the like are recessed, and a light source is provided at a back side of the dial plate. A pointer drive portion is provided on a bottom surface of the dial plate so as to effect a parallel movement of the pointer. Light of the light source, passed through both of the dial plate and the pointer can reach a driver's eye point, and light, passed only through the dial plate, can not reach the driver's eye point, except for those portions thereof having the characters/scale markings or the like.

Abstract: A display board has a light transmitting substrate illuminated by a light source at the back side, a illuminance adjusting layer having a plurality of light reflective dots and formed on the surface at the front side of the substrate, and a colored light transmitting image layer formed on the illuminance adjusting layer. This display board is manufactured by forming a illuminance adjusting layer and image layer sequentially on the same side of the substrate.

Abstract: The light box is provided with a case having arranged therein a reflector directed to the front wall to be illuminated from the rear. The reflector surf ace has a concave curvature. An elongated light source is arranged in the center of the case. The reflector, in the central area thereof, is covered by an optical film having a structured surface directed to the light source. This structure consists of immediately adjacent V-shaped grooves, being parallel to each other and running transverse to the extension of the light source. By total reflection on the structured surface of the transparent optical film as well as by reflection on the reflector surface of the reflector, the light of the light source incident on the reflector is reflected in the direction of the back-lit front side of the light box. This arrangement provides for improved and more-uniform light distribution.

Abstract: An internally illuminated panel is provided with a recess in which a conventional knob of translucent construction is mounted. The recess is covered with an opaque material, except for an area that allows light to be transmitted to the knob. The knob abuts against a boss, which is provided within the recess to prevent the opaque material from being scraped and to facilitate spacing the knob from the panel as it is mounted thereon.

Abstract: An indicator needle is provided with a base having a groove having a U-shaped cross section, which groove has an opening in an upper surface thereof and extends in a longitudinal direction of the indicator, and a light transmitting lens which plugs the opening of the upper surface of the base. A plurality of light emitting diodes are arranged in the groove of the base. Base ribs each having a triangular cross section and formed integrally with the base so as to cross the groove of the base are provided in the groove of the base, as well. Light generated from the light emitting diodes directly illuminates the lens, or is reflected by the base ribs to illuminates the same.

Abstract: A radiation-emitting panel such as for back lighting a display has three transparent glass plates sealed together around their edges to form two gas-discharge volumes. The plates are supported within their edges by two identical arrays of pillars formed integrally from the plates. The lower surface of the lower plate is profiled with inverted frusto-pyramids and coated with a reflecting layer. Electrodes normally cause discharge within the upper volume, and the emission of light. Electrodes can be used to excite the lower volume, such as on failure of the upper volume, the reflector acting to reflect light preferentially into the pillars.

Abstract: An electronic light valve is disposed over a color fill lens formed in an opaque indicia plate and an infrared filter to be energized to a transmissive condition simultaneously with a low intensity light source to illuminate the legend either by ambient light reflecting from the lens or by the light source emitting prescribed energy wavelengths through the lens, whichever thereof having the greater intensity relative to the other. In a deenergized condition of the light source and light valve, the latter blocks ambient light from the legend to prevent viewing thereof.

Abstract: This invention presents a way to provide night vision viewing compatibility of backlit electrooptic modulated light valve or LCD displays designed for daylight viewing. Liquid crystal displays (LCD) designed with backlighting systems which provide a high brightness, good contrast display under daylight conditions are inappropriate for use in dark, night time conditions where viewing of the display is desired utilizing electronic night vision equipment. This invention describes improvements to standard backlighting displays which through the utilization of arrays of low-level intensity light sources such as secondary fluorescent light sources, miniature incandescent lamps or light emitting diodes, the general means used in daylight vision can be turned off and the secondary low-level lighting sources achieve a minimum intensity acceptable for night vision electronic viewing.

Abstract: The light emitting diode to illuminate the indicating portion of the pointer and the face plate through the light conductive member is fixedly mounted on a drive unit that rotates the pointer shaft according to the amount of a measured quantity. The light emitting diode is installed in center openings formed in the pointer, face plate and light conducting member, the light conducting member being attached to the underside of the face plate to illuminate letters on the face plate. The light emitting portion of the diode is formed cylindrical so as to allow the pointer shaft to be fixed to the pointer inside the hollow portion of the cylindrical light emitting portion, so that light radiated from the light emitting portion is reliably introduced into the indicator portion of the pointer and also to the light conducting member. Thus construction simplifies the power supply path leading from the drive unit to the light emitting diode.

Abstract: A transparent pointer for an indicating instrument has a light receiving surface centered on the axis of rotation of the pointer and a light bulb is positioned on the axis adjacent the light receiving surface to brightly illuminate the pointer at the same brightness for all pointer positions. A gage mechanism drives the pointer through a pointer support which is in part laterally offset from the axis to permit bulb location on the axis.

Abstract: A back-lit display having a window including a light-collimating film. The light-collimating film has an opaque material on a surface thereof. A material of a predetermined color is on the opaque material in registration therewith.

Abstract: Described herein is an illuminant pointer needle assembly for a vehicular instrument, which is adapted to display the index portion of a pointer needle in the color of a coloring layer applied on the surface of the index portion in the day time, in a color of illumination of a light-emitting element in the nighttime when the pointer needle is lighted up, and in a mixture color in the dusk by superposing the color of illumination of the color of coloring layer reflecting incident external light. The pointer assembly essentially includes: a pointer needle having a base end portion fixedly mounted on a pointer needle shaft of a movement unit of a meter or the like and provided with a transparent index portion; a coloring layer formed on the bottom surface of the transparent index portion to reflect incident external light; a light-emitting element fixedly mounted on the base end portion of the pointer needle to light up the index portion in a color different from that of the coloring layer.

Abstract: A device and method to convert light from a point source into an areal source of displayed light. The reflective faces of dielectric mirrors enclose a point source of light. The mirrors repeatedly reflect the light from the point source inside the enclosure without significant absorption, thereby achieving a random distribution of position coordinates for the light rays departing the areal transmissive surface on the outside of the enclosure. The device and method may be used for backlighting a display or for other areal lighting systems.

Abstract: A backlight assembly for a liquid crystal display (LCD) supported on a printed circuit board with the pin sockets on either side of an opening in the printed circuit board so that the LCD straddles the opening. The assembly includes a snap-in reflector having a back wall and a plurality of forwardly extending peripheral walls which can be compressed to permit the backlight reflector to be inserted into the opening and released to hold it in position. A lamp in the backlight assembly shines light through the opening and through the LCD. The reflector has an inner surface that is highly reflective and non-specular, so that ambient light rays entering the front of the opening are captured and reflected forwardly back through the liquid crystal display.

Abstract: A fiber optic panel provides backlighting in devices such as rubber keypads, membrane switches, liquid crystal displays, rigid panels, or the like. The fiber optic panel comprises a light source for emitting light and a fiber optic cable which transmits the light to a plurality of different locations throughout the device. The fiber optic cable comprises a plurality of optical fibers, each of which individually terminates at one of a plurality of different locations to illuminate that location. Alternatively, the optical fibers individually terminate at evenly spaced locations throughout the device to illuminate a region uniformly.

Abstract: A backlit control actuator includes a substrate of translucent material having a front surface with a three-dimensional symbol integrally formed thereon, and a boot of opaque, relatively soft material which is molded around the substrate so that an upper surface of the symbol is flush with an outer surface of the outer covering to permit light transmitted from the control device to backlight the symbol.

Abstract: A self-illuminating coaxial knob provided on an operating panel of an air conditioning apparatus, an acoustic apparatus or the like, in which an outer knob and an inner knob connected to an outer shaft and an inner shaft, respectively, are coaxially provided on a panel surface, the panel being provided with a graduation, and the knobs being provided with indexes, respectively. The outer knob is illuminated from the back by a panel surface illuminating portion circularly provided on a panel surface light guide, whereas the inner knob is illuminated by a ring-like inner knob light guide provided in a ring-like incoming portion.

Abstract: In an indicator instrument, at least one light-emitting diode (8, 9) which lights up in different colors depending on the manner in which it is controlled is provided in a light guide (5). In this way, the pointer instrument can be illuminated in simple fashion in different colors, for instance as a function of the position of the pointer.

Abstract: A gauge for a vehicle has a spontaneous light-emission type pointer with a built-in light-emitting device. The pointer is fixed to a pointer shaft rotatably driven in accordance with a measured value. A solid circuit member for supporting a light-emitting device and for coupling the light-emitting device to the pointer shaft is fixed to the pointer. The solid circuit member has a first plated conductive layer for electrically connecting one of the terminals of the light-emitting device to the pointer shaft, and a second plated conductive layer for electrically connecting the other of the terminals to a spring abutment fixed to the pointer shaft in an insulating fashion. The solid circuit member is connected to a power source for lighting the light-emitting device. Consequently, a number of parts required for supplying power to the light-emitting diode can be reduced.

Abstract: An illumination type keytop is disclosed, in which a transmitted light restricting member is disposed opposite to a display portion formed in a part of a light intercepting layer and a colored and transparent filter member is disposed on the rear side thereof so that the display portion can be illuminated with light having a high directivity, which has passed through the transmitted light restricting member, at the illumination in the night, etc.

Abstract: A multi-color illumination apparatus for use in backlighting a liquid crystal display (LCD) device includes a substrate having a plurality of circuit paths made of electrically conductive foil leaf wherein the circuit path's configuration includes a number of tabs in a spaced relationship with one another and interleaved with tabs of an adjacent electrical circuit path. The tabs of one circuit path carry LED dies each of which produce a different color light with the anode of one and the cathode of the other connected to the tab. Leads connect the cathode of one and the anode of the other to the tabs of the adjacent circuit path. The second electrical circuit path also includes tabs in a spaced relationship with one another and located in registry with the tabs of the first electrical circuit path and also carry LED dies forming a second LED color pair. The second LED color pair is connected to tabs of a third electrical circuit which tabs are interleaved with the tabs of the second electrical circuit path.

Abstract: A dashboard lay-out is provided, particularly for motor vehicles, compris: a central case (1) with its front face (2) open and arranged inside so as to form a light box diffusing an homogeneous light towards the front; a rear plate (6) fixed to the rear face (3) of the case and supporting the components of the dashboard not situated on the front face; a transparent front plate (12) fixed to the front face (2) of the case and supporting the components (14, 16) to be seen by an observer as well as their direct control devices (15, 20) as required; and a facing plate (25) with selective transparency having zones of different colours covering the front plate; connection means, particularly electric connection means (22, 28), providing the necessary connections between the rear and front plates.

Abstract: A solid state thickfilm electroluminescent lamp illuminates a pointer for viewing automotive instrument clusters during low ambient light conditions. A solid state ThFEL lamp is placed between the faceplate of a vehicle dashboard and the air core mechanism. An instrument cluster pointer is situated on the opposite side of the faceplate from the ThFEL lamp. The ThFEL lamp is donut-shaped with a hole in its center to allow the pointer to connect to the air core mechanism. The lamp has a reflectie electrode and a transparent electrode situated such that the reflective electrode directs the ThFEL light towards the pointer where it is needed and away from the air core mechanism. The pointer is designed to collect a large area of dim light, focusing that light down the pointer shaft and reflecting it to an observer viewing the instrument cluster.

Abstract: An internally illuminated sign employs retroreflective sheeting with optically transmissive bonds between cover layer and base layer, thereby making the sign suitable for applications where visibility of the sign is required if the internal illumination source fails. A light conduit may be employed to allow the source of internal illumination to be remote from the interior of the sign enclosure. Total internal reflection type sheeting also may be employed to diffuse the internal illumination.

Abstract: A planar luminescent device comprising a light source whose luminance distribution exhibits varied luminous intensity from a high level to a low level, a light transmitting plate having a light transmitting property and shaped in a planar form, and a reflecting frame for enclosing the light source in cooperation with the surface of a printed board to which the light source is attached and the end face of the light transmitting plate and also holding the light transmitting plate having its end faces on which the light from the light source does not impinge in close contact therewith, in which a portion on an end face of the light transmitting plate is disposed closest to the position where the luminance of the light source is at the low level and incident light on the end face is adapted to be scatteringly reflected by a scattering reflection layer disposed on the back face of the light transmitting plate and radiated from the surface of the same.

Abstract: A multiplexed transmission scheme that reduces the complexity of the normal electrical wiring harness of a vehicle is disclosed. The system directly routes electrical excitation to motorize devices and multiplexes the control of the motorized devices along with the control of lighting devices by means of an optical transmission scheme having a high intensity light source as its source of light energy. Various devices are disclosed that interface with a control buss, light busses, and power buss all related to the multiplexed system. Further disclosed are related optical devices that allow the operator of a vehicle to provide commands to the multiplexed transmission scheme so as to provide control of all of the operator selected electrical devices of the vehicle.

Abstract: In order to make the brightness approximately uniform over a diffusion board, a back-light device is provided with a light transmission controlling film having a planar form in a shape of a projection of the lamp on the diffusion board. The film is disposed in parallel to the lamp axis between the lamp and the diffusion board.

Abstract: A replacement cover is provided for a wall mounted, circular thermostat. The replacement cover engages the rotatable sub-assembly of a wall mounted, circular thermostat and provides a transparent convex lens for enlarging the appearance of temperature indications. In a preferred embodiment a lamp is mounted in the replacement cover to illuminate the temperature indications for easier reading. The lighting circuit includes a battery, a lamp bulb and a normally open switch which can be closed by the operator/viewer of the thermostat.

Abstract: The device includes check-up of tire-pressure, depth of tire tread, and illumination components. The device is small, and hence affords drivers the facility of portability, for example, at a key ring.

Abstract: A view control prism display system in which the viewable angle of an informational display (15) is controlled and limited to certain desired areas (17) by utilizing the reflective and refractive properties of an optical prism element (10) used in association with the informational display. In the exemplary application of a button (6B) in an instrument cluster in an automotive environment (5), the informational display is included as an applique (15) on a flat surface provided adjacent to but spaced from the optical prism by an air gap (14). A further, "decorated" surface (13) which can be painted black or be frosted, is provided on an adjacent, bottom surface of the optical prism. Within the desired viewing angle in front (11) of the button, the viewer will see the refracted image of the information contained on the applique, while those outside (18) of the desired viewing angle will "see" the reflected image of the non-informational "decorated" surface.

Abstract: A visual alarm suitable for use with night vision goggles comprises a red incandescent lamp (105); a blue, green or blue-green electroluminscent panel (130); and control means to sequentially activate the above-mentioned light sources. Brief activation of the red lamp causes momentary partial blooming of the night vision goggles to warn of an emergency condition. Subsequent steady energization of the electroluminescent panel provides a continuous observable alarm which does not interfere with operation of the night vision goggles.