Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement (100) comprising a lighting system (110) and a target object (120), wherein the lighting system (110) is arranged to illuminate a target surface of the target object (120) with a primary light output (111) and with a secondary light output (112). Each of these light outputs has an illumination spectrum representing a color. The two illumination spectra are different, but the two colors are substantially the same. The target surface has a first target surface area and a second target surface area. When the first and second target surface areas are illuminated with the primary light output (111), they have a contrast that is lower than when they are illuminated with the secondary light output (112). The arrangement of the invention can be used for atmosphere creation or for attracting attention to the target object (120).

Abstract: A display apparatus includes a housing formed with a front opening, a display unit disposed in the housing, and a lighting unit disposed in the housing for illuminating the display unit. The display unit includes a light-transmissive front display screen exposed through the front opening, and a light-transmissive rear screen disposed spacedly parallel to the front display screen. The rear screen is operable to have a first light transmittance, and a second light transmittance higher than the first light transmittance.

Abstract: A safety sign that has a front panel with cut out letters or numbers that form the word or message of the sign. Behind the front panel a predetermined distance can be a reflective panel or other surface. Light from an oncoming vehicle can reflect from this reflective panel through the cut out letters causing the sign to function like any other safety sign when not lighted. One or more light sources like LEDs can be mounted facing the reflective panel at angles so that light from these sources is reflected from the reflective panel and out through the cut out letters causing the sign to increase significantly in visibility at night or in other low light conditions. Further light sources can be located around the periphery of the sign or around the word or words on the sign. All or part of the light sources can be made to blink, and the system can optionally be made to turn off during the daytime. The sign can be run from AC power or battery power.

Abstract: A safety sign that has a front panel with cut out letters or numbers that form the word or message of the sign. Behind the front panel a predetermined distance can be a reflective panel or other surface. Light from an oncoming vehicle can reflect from this reflective panel through the cut out letters causing the sign to function like any other safety sign when not lighted. One or more light sources like LEDs can be mounted facing the reflective panel at angles so that light from these sources is reflected from the reflective panel and out through the cut out letters causing the sign to increase significantly in visibility at night or in other low light conditions. Further light sources can be located around the periphery of the sign or around the word or words on the sign. All or part of the light sources can be made to blink, and the system can optionally be made to turn off during the daytime. The sign can be run from AC power or battery power.

Abstract: A sign device comprises a unitary body which is fully enclosed across a top and sides of a hollow interior so as to be weatherproof. A display supported within the hollow interior is arranged to display alpha-numeric information through a translucent display portion on the front wall of the unitary body in an active state and is arranged to be not externally visible through the display portion in an inactive state. The exterior surface is textured and arranged to resemble a natural rock to further disguise the inactive display. An indicator indicates on the rear wall which one of various modes is being displayed on the front wall by the active display. The display can display an alarm condition, for example a building alarm responsive to a fire or an unauthorized entry into a building or a personal remote alarm activated by a building occupant requiring assistance.

Abstract: A product badge coupled to a product, such as an information handling system, displays product information to align with a selected of plural product orientations by illuminating a first display material to present the product information in a first orientation associated with a first product orientation and a second display material to present the product information in a second orientation associated with a second product orientation. For instance, illumination by a backlight presents the product information in the first orientation by interacting with the first display material, and suspension of illumination by the backlight presents the product information in the second orientation by allowing reflective light to interact with the second display material. Selection of illumination is automatically or manually accomplished.

Abstract: An alternating sign assembly includes a sheet of light permeable material comprising a front surface and a rear surface; a front design that includes a front design layer; a silhouette pattern including light-restricting imaging material, said front design being superimposed on or forming a part of the silhouette pattern, said silhouette pattern subdividing said sheet into a plurality of discrete areas of said imaging material and/or a plurality of discrete areas devoid of said imaging material; a switchable front source of artificial illumination of said front design; a rear design disposed rearwardly of the front design; and a switchable rear source of artificial illumination of said rear design. The sources of illumination may be alternately turned on to make the front and rear designs alternately visible to an observer in front of the assembly.

Abstract: A board that hides information in a manner that only certain authorized personnel may change the information and other authorized personnel may view the information. This invention accomplishes the foregoing by placing a locked panel of translucent material over certain information written on the board that may only be changed by an authorized individual by opening the lock. A panel of opaque material is placed over the translucent material in a manner that certain information written on the board will be revealed when authorized personnel remove the opaque material or cause the opaque material to be transparent. The translucent material may be removed by activating a switch or entering a code.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle component such as a side mirror comprising a panel having an obverse side and a reverse side, wherein, in use, when viewed from the obverse side the panel has a first appearance when not illuminated from the reverse side, but has a second appearance when illuminated from the reverse side, and further, wherein means are provided for reducing effects upon the panel caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

Abstract: A product badge coupled to a product, such as an information handling system, displays product information to align with a selected of plural product orientations by illuminating a first display material to present the product information in a first orientation associated with a first product orientation and a second display material to present the product information in a second orientation associated with a second product orientation. For instance, illumination by a backlight presents the product information in the first orientation by interacting with the first display material, and suspension of illumination by the backlight presents the product information in the second orientation by allowing reflective light to interact with the second display material. Selection of illumination is automatically or manually accomplished.

Abstract: A light assembly includes a generally triangular shaped housing having a front surface and a back surface opposite the front surface. The light assembly further includes at least a first light emitting device disposed in the housing configured to emit a non-flashing light from the front surface of the housing. Finally, the light assembly includes at least a second light emitting device disposed in the housing configured to emit a flashing light from the back surface of the housing.

Abstract: An artistic display (10) provides backlighting to display graphics that may include one or more paintings, each with paint on one or both sides. The display graphics (100) comprise an outer canvas element (110), and optionally, an inner canvas element (120). Both sides of each canvas element may by covered, all or in part, with a coating of paint in a plurality of colors and thicknesses. A picture frame (280) is supported by a front peripheral surface of the backlighting box frame, and a rear peripheral surface of the frame supports a back wall. A light reflective surface (260) may be carried by the back wall. A lighting assembly (300) is located directly behind the outer canvas element, and is supported by a backlighting box frame (200). Where an inner canvas element is present, a rear lighting assembly is carried immediately behind this element. An automatic switching assembly (500) is in electrical communication with a power source, and automatically cycles power on and off.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of displaying an image on a display device having first and second sides, said image including a light restricting silhouette pattern having a plurality of first transparent or translucent areas, and at least one design layer having at least one color, said at least one design layer being visible from one side of said display device and substantially less visible from the other side, said image being substantially transparent or translucent as viewed from the other side, comprising the steps: 1) providing at least a definition of said design layer to a computer, 2) generating a computerized version of said design layer with,he computer, 3) outputting the computerized version of said design layer to said display device, the computerized version of said design layer being modified to subdivide said design layer into a plurality of second discrete transparent or translucent areas and other areas; and 4) displaying said modified design layer and said silhouette pattern with

Abstract: A predetermined number of light sources (14) are positioned such that the light sources (14) positions illuminate patterns which are concealed by the refractive substrate (16) when not luminous. When luminous the lighted patterns can be observed through the refractive substrate (16). The refractive substrate (16) is arranged to create patterns and when the light sources (14) are not luminous the refractive substrate (16) exhibits a resplendent display unaccompanied.

Abstract: A panel includes a sheet of light permeable, preferably optically clear transparent material and a transparent or translucent design superimposed on or forming part of a transparent or translucent base pattern. The design is visible from one side of the panel and a mirror image of the design is visible from the other side of the panel when a sufficiently high level of illuminated is provided on either side or both sides of the panel.

Abstract: The invention relates to display panels suitable for use in providing information or other data for viewing in differing light conditions and/or for purely decorative purposes. Examples of panels according to the invention comprise a substrate (2) which may be rendered smokey in appearance by the use of a coating (6) of a smokey dye or by inclusion of a dye in the plastics or glass from which the substrate is formed. On the obverse side of the panel, there is provided a first layer (8) of transparent or partially transparent material in which is carried fragments of translucent material such as mica having enhanced colour iridescence by being coated with a suitable metal oxide. The layer (8) may be continuous or discontinuous.

Abstract: By a new configuration which more efficiently controls illumination, it is possible to make a mirror dissolve illusion which uses less power than those previously known in the art. A reflector and lamp assembly is provided in front of a partially reflective and partially transparent (one-way) mirror to direct light to a viewer via the one-way mirror. The technique includes use of a backlit wall pattern and a reflective floor surface along with a mirror of reduced density.

Abstract: A multi-image sign display (10,100) controllably interrelates a pair of controllable illumination means (22,24), for providing different selectable media effects from first and second displayable scenes (14,16) dependent on the first and second lighting effects which enable a controllable display of the second scene (16) visually perceptible through the first scene (14) dependent on these effects, such as a visually perceptible cross-dissolve effect, ort a full on/full off effect.

Abstract: A method for producing a large scale color graphic that presents substantially the same spectral content to a viewer when the graphic is illuminated with front or back lighting includes applying an ink film on a first surface and a second ink film on a second surface wherein the ink film creates the desired colored graphic image and which images produced are in registry with one another. A light source located on the same side as an observer viewing the image passes light through the ink film in one direction and is reflected back through the ink in a substantially opposite direction so that light reaching the observer passes through the equivalent of two ink film thicknesses.

Abstract: A display assembly 10 for mounting in a fruit machine comprises an open topped housing 14. A pair of two-way mirrors 20a, 20b are joined at right angles to one another with their mirrored sides defining the included angle and facing towards the housing's opening. A visual representation 21a, 21b is printed on the reverse side of each mirror and is visible through the respective mirror when lamps 22 therebehind are lit, with a mirror image of the representation visible reflected from the other mirror.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for animating illuminated signs and displays comprises sequentially illuminating with at least one source of radiant energy of a particular wavelength range at least two planar scenes, or three-dimensional objects, visibly responsive to radiant energy of the particular wavelength range used. Means are provided for shielding a non-selected planar scene or object from illumination during the time a selected planar scene or object is illuminated. In the preferred embodiment, invisible ultraviolet illumination is used to cause a plurality of scene-views to fluoresce visibly in a timed sequence which produces a visual sensation of apparent motion from one scene-view to another of an object depicted by the scene-views. Subjective brightness of scene-views may be enhanced by modulating the illumination of a scene at a perceptibly low frequency.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for animating illuminated signs and displays comprises sequentially illuminating with at least one source of radiant energy (51) of a particular wavelength range at least two planar scenes (53), (54) or three-dimensional objects (101), (102) visibly responsive to radiant energy of the particular wavelength range used. Means (55) are provided for shielding a non-selected planar scene or object from illumination during the time a selected planar scene or object is illuminated. In the preferred embodiment, invisible ultraviolet illumination is used to cause a plurality of scene-views to fluoresce visibly in a timed sequence which produces a visual sensation of apparent motion from one scene-view to another of an object depicted by the scene-views. Subjective brightness of scene-views may be enhanced by modulating the illumination of a scene at a perceptibly low frequency.

Abstract: This invention discloses an information display device including a front plate and information visualizing means provided behind the front plate and adapted to make information consisting of characters, patters and/or others appear on the front surface of the plate by the light emitted from the visualizing means and passing through the plate, the device being characterized in that the front plate is made from transparent material such as transparent synthetic resins, glass or the like and is provided with metal coating on the front surface or the back surface of the front plate. The thickness of the metal coating is such that the metal coating permits the light emitted from the visualizing means to pass through it to make the information emerge on the front surface of the front plate and substantially prevents light the intensity of which is less than the former light from passing through the coating.

Abstract: Apparatus for creating the effect of pictures moving in two and three dimensions including a display structure, a number of image producers, and a scanning controller. The display structure contains elements upon which to place the image producers, which elements are arranged in either depth for creating a three-dimensional effect or in width for providing a two-dimensional effect. The image producers can be configured electrodes or surface-covering electrodes used to affect liquid crystal elements of the display structure. Also, the image producers can be radiation sources which cause the images which are to be displayed to become visible to a viewer. The scanning controller is an electronic device which sequentially activates individual members of the image producers to thereby impart the effect of two- or three-dimensional motion depending on the type of display structure utilized.