Illuminated Patents (Class 40/451)
  • Patent number: 10403178
    Abstract: An illuminated display for displaying a lottery jackpot values in the range of millions and billions of dollars is disclosed. The lottery display has an LED array for selectively displaying either “MILLION” or “BILLION.” A special LED module for representing an uppercase letter “M” or uppercase letter “B” is positioned next to a series of LED elements configured to display “ILLION.” A special LED module having nine segments may be employed for the indicia of units, where the LED module may be illuminated to form the numerals 0 through 9, as well as an upper case letter “B.” The illuminated display may also display indicia for currency and the day of the week for the jackpot draw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Inventor: Andy K. F. Kaoh
  • Patent number: 10219376
    Abstract: A light-emitting diode apparatus (100) comprises a light-emitting diode element (102) having a front (106) and a back (128), wherein the front (106) has an emission region (108) for emitting electromagnetic waves (110) and a diode connection contact (112) that is associated with the emission region (108), and comprises a printed circuit board (104) having a passage opening (114) and a plate connection contact (118), wherein the front (106) of the light-emitting diode element (102) is connected to the printed circuit board (104), and wherein the emission region (108) is arranged opposite the passage opening (114) and the diode connection contact (112) is arranged opposite the plate connection contact (118) and is electrically conductively connected to the plate connection contact (118). A cover unit (120) having a recess (122) for holding the light-emitting diode element (102) is connected to the printed circuit board (104), wherein the cover unit (120) is formed from a further printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: JENOPTIK Polymer Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Kloth, Matthias Fluegel, Roman Jaikow
  • Patent number: 9940855
    Abstract: An illuminated display for displaying a lottery jackpot values in the range of millions and billions of dollars is disclosed. A lottery display comprises a string of three LED modules positioned next to each other, where the leftmost LED module indicates the hundreds place for a jackpot value, the center LED module indicates the tens place, and the rightmost LED module indicates the ones place for the jackpot. Conventional LED modules having seven segments may be employed for the indicia of the hundreds and tens values. A special LED module having nine segments may be employed for the indicia of units, where the LED module may be illuminated to form the numerals 0 through 9, as well as an upper case letter “B.” The illuminated display may also display indicia for currency and the day of the week for the jackpot draw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Inventor: Andy K. F. Kaoh
  • Patent number: 9446665
    Abstract: A display and operator control system for a motor vehicle includes: an instrument cluster configured to display operating parameters of the motor vehicle, the instrument cluster having a plurality of displays adhesively bonded under a common covering pane, the plurality of displays including: (i) a first display configured to display the speed of the motor vehicle, and (ii) a second display embodied as a touchscreen for representing and activating operator control functions; and an operator control system configured to control devices of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Heinz-Bernhard Abel, Günter Urlaub
  • Publication number: 20150113841
    Abstract: In one aspect, an alphanumeric display assembly includes a printed circuit board (PCB), a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and a plurality of light reflecting cups. The PCB has a front side and a rear side and includes a plurality of holes extending through the PCB between the front and rear sides. The holes are arranged to form an alphanumeric indicium. The LEDs are mounted to the PCB on the rear side. At least one LED is mounted adjacent to each hole. The plurality of light reflecting cups are mounted to the PCB on the rear side. Each light reflecting cup covers the at least one LED and the adjacent hole, and is spaced from the at least one LED and the adjacent hole to reflect light from the LEDs through the holes so the alphanumeric indicium is visible from the front side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: MATTHEW P. EBROM, ERIC J. SCHUH, SITHAARTH T. SUBRAMANIYAM, SUGOSH VENKATARAMAN
  • Patent number: 8479422
    Abstract: An electronic shelf label with internal information which may be used all locations, including wet locations. The electronic shelf label includes a housing including a substantially transparent portion containing an aperture and an inner surface, a display in the housing for displaying information about an item associated with the electronic shelf label, wherein the display is visible through the aperture, and a layer of material adjacent the inner surface for conveying information about the item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Syuzoh Kato, Yoshitaka Utsumi, John Peter Roquemore, III
  • Patent number: 7866859
    Abstract: A display device for a vehicle has a first display unit constructed of a liquid crystal display for displaying first information and a second display unit including a display portion for displaying second information. The second information is illuminated by receiving light emitted from a light source and displayed at an intensity higher than an intensity of a background area that is illuminated by receiving light emitted from another light source. An optical coloring member is disposed such that an illuminating color and a brightness of the background area of the second display unit are substantially equal to those of a background area of the first information of the liquid crystal display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Ryo Suzuki, Yoshinori Araki, Satoru Tamura
  • Patent number: 7806568
    Abstract: Reconfigurable lighting fixtures, household apparatuses and household fixtures include fixed components and a plurality of removable and interchangeable decorative adornments. The adornments each include at least one magnet that magnetically couples the adornment to a portion of the fixture or apparatus. Some or all of the set of interchangeable adornments may be interchanged to provide the fixtures or apparatus with a different appearance. The adornments may be of different shapes, sizes, and colors and they may be coupled to various non-fixed locations. The adornments may include multiple pieces coupled together and to the magnet using wire, string, chain or metal links. The fixtures or apparatus may be easily disassembled and reassembled by removing and replacing the adornments for cleaning or to change the appearance thereof. The fixture/apparatus may be a chandelier, candle holder, sconce, lamp, bobeche, tract lighting, ceiling fan, curtain rod, lampshade and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Magnificent Trimmings, Inc.
    Inventor: Colleen Nielson
  • Patent number: 7797865
    Abstract: A changeable message sign structure has a front panel assembly and rear, top, bottom and left and right end panels which define a hollow sign interior. The front panel assembly has a frame with upper, lower and left and right side frame members. At least two vertical support members are attached to the upper and lower frame members. The vertical support members each have a generally T-shaped cross-section with a rearwardly extending stem and left and right arms, each with arm flanges extending rearwardly to define securement slots between the arm flanges and the stem. At least one panel web assembly has frontwardly extending side flanges engaged within a securement slot of each of two neighbouring vertical support members. A web assembly support structure is pressed against the at least one panel web assembly and removably attached to the rearwardly extending stems of two neighbouring vertical support members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Ledstar Inc.
    Inventors: Milan Patel, Mark Grzesik
  • Patent number: 7517103
    Abstract: A display includes a display lightguide, on which a shape of a display character is formed in three dimensions, a light source, emitting a light toward the display lightguide, and a light collection portion, provided between the light source and the display lightguide, and having a light reflection face formed like a parabolic face which employs a straight line perpendicular to a light receiving face of the display lightguide as an axis thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Furuya, Tetsuya Sugiyama
  • Publication number: 20080244942
    Abstract: A changeable message sign structure has a front panel assembly and rear, top, bottom and left and right end panels which define a hollow sign interior. The front panel assembly has a frame with upper, lower and left and right side frame members. At least two vertical support members are attached to the upper and lower frame members. The vertical support members each have a generally T-shaped cross-section with a rearwardly extending stem and left and right arms, each with arm flanges extending rearwardly to define securement slots between the arm flanges and the stem. At least one panel web assembly has frontwardly extending side flanges engaged within a securement slot of each of two neighbouring vertical support members. A web assembly support structure is pressed against the at least one panel web assembly and removably attached to the rearwardly extending stems of two neighbouring vertical support members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventors: Milan Patel, Mark Grzesik
  • Patent number: 7350942
    Abstract: The invention relates to a display apparatus, particularly to structure of LED display modules. The invention could be implemented through a LED matrix display module with high luminance area ratio comprising an injection molding unit and a printing board fitted therewith, wherein, LEDs are regularly arranged in a matrix on said printing board, and each pixel dot is correspondingly provided with a reflecting cavity on said molding unit, with the reflecting cavity expanding gradually from the inside section (close to the display surface). The circumference of the inside section of the reflecting cavity forms a closed and smooth circular curve. The invention is characterized in that, the circumference of the outside section of the reflecting cavity forms a closed and smooth curve which is a square with round corners, and the side face of the reflecting cavity is a smooth and cured surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Shanghai Sansi Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bishou Chen, Yinghua Wang, Peng Wang, Xiaoliang He
  • Patent number: 7337565
    Abstract: A display unit comprises a display region constituted of twenty-four display segments each of which has a triangular display surface. The display region consists of a quadrangular central region and a quadrangular and annular peripheral region surrounding the entire central region. The central region has two quadrangular portions arranged one above the other. Each of two quadrangular portions consists of four display segments. The peripheral region is constituted of sixteen display segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: A'Syck Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tamaki Tsutsumi, Masaru Kamino
  • Patent number: 6829852
    Abstract: An LED lighted sign with a light diffuser sheet with embedded diffusion particles which provides a 20%-40% increase in lighting transmittance. There is also provided a light divider assembly having partitions which serve to segregate groups of LEDs for lighting only selected segments of the light divider assembly for displaying numerical images. Alternatively, there is provided an injection molded light diffuser lens made of the same material as the light diffuser sheet which secures to each of several light diffuser chambers which combine to display numerical images. Optionally, colored LEDs may be used to create color displays. Color filters may also be overlaid the light diffusers or color pigment may be added to the diffusion material during injection molding to create color displays. A molded light divider assembly is also provided in the alternative. Alternatively, a circuit board having arrangements of different colored LED strings which can be illuminated one or more at a time can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Daktronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Randy S. Uehran
  • Patent number: 6631575
    Abstract: An LED lighted sign with a light diffuser sheet with embedded diffusion particles which provides a 20%-40% increase in lighting transmittance. There is also provided a light divider assembly having partitions which serve to segregate groups of LEDs for lighting only selected segments of the light divider assembly for displaying numerical images. Alternatively, there is provided an injection molded light diffuser lens of the same material which secures to each of several light diffuser chambers which combine to display numerical images. optionally, colored LEDs may be used to create color displays. Color filters may also be overlaid the light diffusers or color pigment may be added to the diffusion material during injection molding to create color displays. A molded light divider assembly is also provided in the alternative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Daktronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Vernon P. Voelzke, Eric S. Bravek, Randy Scott Uehran
  • Patent number: 6599003
    Abstract: An LED display comprises a reflective panel and a segment structure on the reflective panel. The segment structure includes a plurality of segments for forming digit, text, symbol and graph and decimal point for the LED display. Each segment comprises a plurality of light dots, the number and shape and factor of the light dots are not limited and can be varied according to practical requirement. The LED display has performance and effect compatible to the VFD and advantages such as simple manufacture process, reduced materials, reduced cost, high yield and enhanced quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Lite-On Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Huai Te Hou, Ching Tsung Chien, Chaoming Wu
  • Patent number: 6588132
    Abstract: A light emitting portion is formed in such a manner that LED chips 2 are provided on the one ends of the leads 1 for the respective segments of a numeral which is a part of a display image. A reflecting case in which light conducting portions are provided so as to correspond to the parts of the display image is formed so that the LED chips are encircled by the respective light conducting portions. Light permeable resin 4 is filled in the reflecting case so that the interior of the reflecting case 3 and the one ends of the plurality of leads are fixed. An uneven portion is formed at least a portion of an outer peripheral side wall of the reflecting case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuyoshi Tsuji
  • Patent number: 6488494
    Abstract: A candle holder includes a housing having a mounting mechanism for mounting a candle to the housing. A display is connected to the housing for selectively displaying one of a plurality of numbers thereon, whereby the candle holder can be re-used for different occasions, such as birthdays and anniversaries, having different numbers associated therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Joy World, Inc.
    Inventor: Seungsoo Lee
  • Publication number: 20020000056
    Abstract: A light emitting portion is formed in such a manner that LED chips 2 are provided on the one ends of the leads 1 for the respective segments of a numeral which is a part of a display image. A reflecting case in which light conducting portions are provided so as to correspond to the parts of the display image is formed so that the LED chips are encircled by the respective light conducting portions. Light permeable resin 4 is filled in the reflecting case so that the interior of the reflecting case 3 and the one ends of the plurality of leads are fixed. An uneven portion is formed at least a portion of an outer peripheral side wall of the reflecting case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Applicant: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuyoshi Tsuji
  • Patent number: 5579597
    Abstract: A combination media ingress/egress door and display panel for a consumer electronics product is disclosed as having tunnels therein with openings for receiving light from controllable light sources mounted within the casing. The opposite end of the tunnels connect with the front face of the display panel. The front openings are fitted with lenses or overlays in the shape of the necessary information segments. Thus, the combination door and display panel has no electrical components or connections thereon which would be subject to undue mechanical stress which might cause failure of the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: Zenith Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: David S. Stewart
  • Patent number: 4998365
    Abstract: A neon light display comprising seven segment modules of neon light tubes, and/or other segment configuration modules for special use. The neon light tubes comprise a serpentine configuration comprising a multi-row continuous tube. The serpentine configuration provides for improved visibility at night and at great distances. The modules are detachably secured to a housing which protects electric equipment such as transformers, inside a weather resistant structure. The modules are configured for efficient replacement, replacing an entire module rather than repairing individual segments in the field. The modules are screwed to a pair of rails and utilize high voltage plugs for electrical disconnection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1991
    Assignee: Kazor Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Donald J. Bezek
  • Patent number: 4838792
    Abstract: The present invention deals with guided writing and variable displays, for signs, illustrations, etc., using: (a) guiding points at the main intersections of the lines of a common symbol representing a group of symbols, letters or figures, etc., and display means in between; (b) holding means at the said guiding points and tie lines in between; (c) grooves, raised tracks, magnetic tracks, stretched strings, etc., in between the said guiding points and fillers, coverings, markings, etc., along the lines of the symbols to be displayed; (d) colorless markings or grooves as in (c) and pen markings over the selected symbols; (e) bars, inking elements, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Inventor: Ralph H. Hoyeck
  • Patent number: 4791744
    Abstract: A rear illuminated device for displaying prices of articles is of the type that includes a housing, a light source in the rear of the housing, a front frame mounted on the housing which has a plurality of horizontal rows of windows, each of said windows being adapted to display one rear illuminated numeral of the price of an article, a film strip carrier in closely spaced cooperating relationship with each window, and each said carrier cooperating with the front frame to define a guide slot in which a section of a film strip is held effectively flat in the window, and a film strip supported on each carrier for endwise movement through a guide slot, each section of a film strip being adapted to display one of the numerals from 1 through 0 in the window. Each film strip is a continuous loop which loosely encircles the film strip carrier and is positioned entirely forward of the light source in the housing, and adjacent film strip loops are in side abutting relationship so as to be mutually confining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1988
    Assignee: Thomas A. Schutz & Co.
    Inventor: John S. Skalski
  • Patent number: 4733486
    Abstract: A sign apparatus includes a sign cabinet with a window (4) inclined towards the observation plane. Inside the window, which is a color filter, there is arranged a panel (5) with electrically driven character elements (7). The angle of inclination (.beta.) of the panel is equal to, or less than, the angle of inclination (.alpha.) of the window. Each character element is formed by obliquely disposed rows of light emitting diodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Assignee: Indel AB
    Inventor: Sten Gawell
  • Patent number: 4724629
    Abstract: An illuminated display assembly fits into an opening in a display board such as a sports scoreboard. The display assembly includes an indicator module containing a front panel having a plurality of light transmitting data indicating areas arranged thereon with a plurality of chambers mounted behind the front panel. Each chamber is associated with one of the data indicating areas and encloses light sources therein which illuminate the data indicating areas when energized. A light source module includes a printed circuit board having a plurality of light sources mounted thereto. When the light source module and indicator modules are assembled together, the light sources from the former project into the chambers in the latter to form a finished display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1988
    Assignee: VCH International Limited
    Inventor: Roger Walton
  • Patent number: 4702479
    Abstract: An apparatus for displaying one of the four playing card suits (hearts, diamonds, clubs, spades) includes a plurality of segments for being selectively illuminated. The segments are configured in the shape of the four playing card suits with all four suits being overlaid one over the others, and the segments are arranged so that some of the segments form parts of different playing card suits. The segments are illuminated in sets so that the illuminated segments form any one of the four playing card suits. In a preferred embodiment, the segments are configured into a first group that forms a quadrangle and a second group of segments that form arches extending between the corners of the quadrangle and lying outside of the quadrangle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1987
    Assignee: Miniature Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Banasiak, Samuel L. Powers
  • Patent number: 4612720
    Abstract: A two dimensional illuminated display for forming on an expansive surface such as an airship envelope comprises (FIG. 3) a set of one dimensional display components 18 each formed by a multiconductor (ribbon) cable 19 having attached thereto by insulation piercing connectors 41 a plurality of display elements 20 containing illumination elements 20.sub.R and 20.sub.G formed by arrays of red and green high intensity l.e.d.'s. The display component cables hang from an attachment point at one end of the cable (21, FIG. 2) and are retained in channels 15, formed on the surface by raised vertically-extending ribs 16, by retaining members 24 extending across the channels by way of through-apertures 25 in the ribs. The retaining members are prevented from withdrawal by similar joining members 26 extending along the ribs. Each illumination element is fed from the cable 19 and the emission axes of the diodes may be tilted relative to the local channel base e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1986
    Assignee: Ferranti PLC
    Inventors: John Manners-Smith, Christopher G. Thompson, John E. Bailey
  • Patent number: 4603495
    Abstract: The invention provides an alphanumeric display module of four controllable cells, each constituted by electrically selectable elements that is able to provide significantly increased vocabulary of words considered essential for merchandising, such as "SAVE" and "BUY", displayed in an acceptable unambiguous manner, while requiring less than 40 electric control lines, so that currently available 40 terminal memory storage devices can be employed in a simple and economical control circuit. The first two cells are of conventional "figure 8" configuration, each employing seven controllable elements. The third cell includes an upward right inclined element in its lower half thus, for example, removing ambiguity between "U" and "V", while the fourth cell includes an additional vertical stroke of two separate elements between and parallel to the existing vertical strokes to permit, for example, acceptable display of "T" and "Y" and "W".
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1986
    Inventor: John K. Stevens
  • Patent number: 4587753
    Abstract: A mechanism is disclosed that is secured in a frame for holding the indicia forming material and is used to cover a housing that includes a light source which may be controlled through a photoelectric cell. The sheets making up the indicia are formed in such a manner that the characters are all created in a stylized "8" digital format with a centrally located "1" superimposed down the middle of the "8". The "8" characters with the "1" superimposed are diestampted in a separate sheet so that it alone may be changed to change the indicia to be displayed.The circuit is designed to produce a flashing light under normal conditions to attract an observer. When an emergency is created such as detected by a smoke detector, a red light flasher is seen giving an additional warning at the front of a house.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1986
    Inventor: Douglas M. Harper
  • Patent number: 4541812
    Abstract: A toy for displaying an illuminated pattern has a first and second panel located in a housing, each panel including an equal number of a plurality of openings aligned with the openings of the other panel. Located between the panels are light conducting members and an opaque membrane having a plurality of apertures, both the light conducting members and the apertures equal in number to and aligned with the openings in the panels. The light conducting members are fixedly retained in the housing and are positionable in a first, or closed, position, and a second, or open, position in association with the panels. Each light conducting member is capable of being moved from its first to its second position. When the light conducting members are in the closed position, the apertures, which are closed, inhibit transmission of light through the light conducting members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1985
    Assignee: Tomy Kogyo Company, Incorporated
    Inventor: Fuyuki Katsumata
  • Patent number: 4496945
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for creating a display including a novel shuttering assembly and drive mechanism therefor. The shuttering assembly alternately presents first and second shutter panels to a window forming an element of the display. The panels are connected to cams on a rotatable axle positioned in spaced relation to the opening and alternately mask the opening on reciprocal rotation of the axle. A drive rod is connected at a first end to a dog on the axle to rotate the axle. The drive mechanism moves the drive rod which has its second end connected to a movable drive member. Preferably a plurality of shutter assemblies are provided, and a reciprocally rotatable drive disc carries solenoids having plungers to selectively engage the drive members. A single cycle motor rotates the drive disc, and logic circuitry permits selected activation of the solenoids. The method includes the step of moving all shutter assemblies into a no display mode at mid-cycle during the reciprocal movement of the drive disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1985
    Assignee: Skyline Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Stadjuhar, Cecil S. Renfro
  • Patent number: 4475791
    Abstract: A display arrangement consists of one or more elongate display devices, each of which has a number of separately energizable display areas positioned along its length. When energized, each display area is seen as a bright patch of light. As it is very difficult to arrange that the display areas extend right to the extreme ends of the device, optical deflection means are positioned in front of the display areas to magnify the size of each so that the total display area extends over the whole length of the elongate display device. The optical deflection means is arranged so that each bright patch is of substantially the same size. The invention enables a large number of similar elongate display devices to be placed end to end while avoiding the appearance of periodic dark patches at the ends of adjacent devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1984
    Assignee: English Electric Valve Company Limited
    Inventor: Ralph D. Nixon
  • Patent number: 4455774
    Abstract: A composite fluorescent display apparatus which permits the luminous display to be observed through a transparent substrate on which various functional elements of the fluorescent display apparatus are formed. The composite fluorescent display apparatus includes pattern display portions which are divided into several groups each effecting different types of display, and each of the pattern display portions is contained in a separate vacuum casing hermetically sealed by a back cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1984
    Assignee: Futaba Denshi Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 4282674
    Abstract: A toy cash register for young children and the like includes a housing having an indicia display window formed on a portion thereof with an indicia display disc mounted behind the window having a plurality of different indicia thereon for selective display through the window. An electric motor is provided for driving the display disc and a plurality of push button controlled, momentary contact switches are provided for connecting the motor with an electric power source for rotating the display disc for random periods of time when the contacts are closed. The cash register includes an indexing system for automatically indexing the nearest set of indicia on the disc with the window after the disc drive motor is deenergized. A sound generator is activated by rotation of the display disc and the cash register also includes a weighing scale, a credit card facility and a manually controllable cash drawer along with a remote, hand held implement simulating an electronic tag reader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1981
    Assignee: Marvin Glass & Associates
    Inventors: Steven P. Hanson, Palmer J. Schoenfield, Harry Disko
  • Patent number: 4274217
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a display device comprising light reflecting block means having at least one light path defined by wall members for reflecting the light emitted from a light emitting diode placed within said light path which is provided with an elongated opening for constituting a display segment and composite lens means having a plurality of juxtaposed lens columns and Fresnel part, said composite lens means are located on the light reflecting block means so that the display segment can be illuminated with uniform and intensive brightness upon electrically activation of the light emitting diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1981
    Assignees: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., Tottori Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masauki Ohshima
  • Patent number: 4263736
    Abstract: A modular display system having a plurality of display modules, a plurality of display signs, a plurality of insertable digit panels, a plurality of insertable spacer panels, and one or a plurality of insertable colon panels. The display system is mounted to a wall and can be reconfigured as different predetermined configurations both as to the number of signs and modules. Each module can be changed to a variety of predetermined configurations. A thumbwheel switch is provided on each module so that with each different configuration, a different setting is entered on the thumbwheel switch thereby reconfiguring control information to display the data properly on each module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1981
    Assignee: Colorado Time Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Beierwaltes, Donald P. Aupperle, William J. Nicolay
  • Patent number: 4234245
    Abstract: A light control device includes a bimorph element comprising two thin polyvinylidene fluoride films and a thin layer disposed therebetween to secure the films together. The bimorph element bends in accordance with an applied electric field to open or close an opening in a panel, thereby displaying a pattern, or to open or close a passageway of light, thereby performing a shutter operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1980
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Toda, Susumu Osaka
  • Patent number: 4232464
    Abstract: A method for the display of information by means of a multi-element passive display device, the elements being separately activated, matrixially arranged and at least two elements required to be activated for display of information. The type of display involves use of a liquid crystal cell formed of electrodes and counter-electrodes carried by two glass plates respectively and the said elements are parts of said electrodes and counter-electrodes.The method comprises the election for activation of elements which are adjacent in any direction, that is, either those superposed, or side by side or diagonally arranged. This method enables use of conventionally shaped characters of greater individual size than heretofore available and is useful for display of dates and/or days of the week on electro-optic watches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1980
    Assignee: Ebauches S.A.
    Inventors: Rene Besson, Jean-Luc Breguet
  • Patent number: 4216599
    Abstract: A device for selectively displaying alphabetic or numeric characters has a housing which contains several stacked prefabricated subassemblies of any required number of units, each unit having an opaque front plate with a rectangular layout of light permeable spots; and there are film receiving slots with guides at both sides of each unit so that a selected part of a film member associated with a unit may abut the front plate while the rest of the film member is curved rearwardly through the slots. One type of film member has a geometric pattern of matching and contrasting elements which cooperate with light permeable spots forming a block number 8 to define any desired arabic numeral from 0 to 9; while another type of film member has a similar geometric pattern that cooperates with light permeable spots in several parallel vertical columns to define any letter of the alphabet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1980
    Assignee: Thomas A. Schutz Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald P. Eckert
  • Patent number: 4214391
    Abstract: An optical display presenting a display field at least one digit in a seven segment arrangement, a stack of seven plate elements for each digit and arranged in a stack, a single light source directing light into the light inlet ends of all of the seven plates, a movable shutter element wth transparent and opaque areas movable across the light source and light inlets of the plates, each plate having a chamfered edge portion remote from the light inlet end and reflecting light transversely of the plate and onto the display field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1980
    Assignee: Ackeret Design & Engineering
    Inventor: Walter Angst
  • Patent number: 4178708
    Abstract: Fiber optic cables are employed to convert punched card type of input infation to an alpha-numeric visual display. Separate groups of the fiber optic cables have first terminal ends positioned in an aperture area corresponding to the punched card aperture area. The second terminal ends of each group of fiber optic cables defines a single segment of an alpha-numeric character in a uniform multi-segment format. When a punched card or punched tape type of input information is inserted between a suitable source of light energy and the first terminal ends of the groups of fiber optic cables, those aperture areas which are punched out permit the transmission of light from the light source to the visual display, thereby illuminating corresponding segments of characters in the uniform multi-segment format at a display plane and converting the punched card information to alpha-numeric visual display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1979
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Paul C. Fletcher, Parviz Soltan
  • Patent number: 4161832
    Abstract: An electromechanical digital indicator for displaying numerical information is disclosed, in which the angular movements of seven movable segments, combined with the action of a block in the shape of an eight and made of a transparent and light-channelling plastics material, acts in such a way as to display any figure at choice from zero to nine in solid lines rather than in segmental form, contrary to what occurs with the conventional display devices. Fluorescent layers on the bottom wall of the block and other expedient render the display visible under any conditions of direct or indirect lighting and also in the darkness of the night. Internal illumination means can be provided in the inside of the indicator box, that which could not be obtained heretofore with the electromechanical digital display appliances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1979
    Assignee: Nuovo Pignone S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giorgio Bergamini
  • Patent number: 4152853
    Abstract: A multiple shutter device for displaying digital information and including an opaque face plate having a plurality of transparent windows situated thereon, a shutter support plate facing and closely disposed behind the face plate and having a plurality of opaque shutters situated thereon, each shutter in unique alignment with one of the segment windows, a multi-track grooved rotary cam facing and closely disposed behind the shutter support plate, a plurality of cam follower arms each being pivotally attached to one of the shutters at a first end and having a second end provided with a cam track following pin which engages a track on the cam, each arm further having a point intermediate the first and second ends which is pivotally attached to the shutter plate, whereby rotation of the cam causes various combinations of the shutter to be actuated to open and close the segment windows and sequentially display one or more digital characters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1979
    Inventor: Robert L. Lewis
  • Patent number: 4122444
    Abstract: An apparatus for displaying numerical value information, comprising: a first display having a plurality of digit display positions each capable of selectively displaying one of Arabic numerals; a second display having a plurality of digit display positions each capable of selectively displaying one of Arabian language numerals; a digit timing signal generator; a first and second digit drivers responsive to said digit timing signals for enabling said digit display positions of each of said first and second displays, respectively, in a digit timing sequence; a re-circulation shift register operable responsive to said digit timing signals for storing a signal representing multi-digit numerical value information comprising a plurality of digit numeral signals each representing in a bit-coded manner a value of the numeral to be displayed in the corresponding digit display position in said displays; a first converter coupled to a predetermined digit position of said register for withdrawing in said digit timing seq
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1976
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1978
    Assignee: Omron Tateisi Electronics Co.
    Inventors: Kenichi Kitajima, Akira Nagano, Kazuaki Urasaki