Abstract: This invention is a device for displaying messages which comprises a portable control cabinet with electric power supplied externally, a timing device for controlling opening and closing of a hinged member, such as a car hood, a lifting device, such as air pillows and a visual display attached to said hinged member. This invention includes a method of displaying messages which uses the device or similar devices.

Abstract: A panel, page or substrate is provided having a tier of electroluminescent (EL) material which forms a pattern corresponding to a series of images. When illuminated in accord with a predetermined sequence, the series of images provide an illusion of movement. A sound generator is provided to produce a predetermined audible response associated with the predetermined sequence. One or more flexible membrane switches are coupled to simultaneously activate both the EL material and the sound generator when depressed. A layer bearing a plurality of icons, with each of said plurality of icons being associated with one of a first and second set of icons. The first set of icons is adapted to be viewable with an unaided eye on a continuous basis, and the second set of icons comprises the pattern of the EL material and are selectively viewable with the unaided eye, when the EL material illuminates.

Abstract: A solar lighting system and method which is especially useful for street and address signs. An upper unit contains a solar energy collector, a storage battery and a light sensor to turn the light on and off as needed. A system to bypass the light sensor control includes a radio frequency(RF) radio receiver which responds to a transmitter. The lighting unit may be economically manufactured and installed on new or existing lighting fixtures.

Abstract: The display device has a free standing structure or it may be incorporated into a building wall. The display device primarily consists of a banner having a series of panels mounted in a plurality of display areas provided in a movable frame. A selected panel may be moved into position of a display frame. Each panel bears a different display. The display frame consists of a generally rectangular frame having a light projection display screen mounted at its rear side. The panels moved over the display screen. One display area is an empty area and does not contain any panel such that when this empty panel is located at the display frame a light display projected onto the screen with a video or slide projector is visible in the display frame.

Abstract: An talking poster is disclosed. A sound module is attached to the back of the poster. The sound module includes a speaker, which is preferably covered by a speaker cover. A portion of the poster is folded over and sealed to the back of the poster, concealing the sound module. A method of making the poster is also disclosed.

Abstract: An information displayer with interchangeable boards for use in displaying advertising messages. Two sets of boards are disposed on two chains respectively, with each chain rotating about a pair of pinions. One pinion is stationary while the other is connected to a stepping motor. Hooks on a rigid bar grasp openings in the boards to release and display the boards. A pre-programmed microprocessor controls the stepping motor, permitting the boards to be displayed in any selected manner.

Abstract: An improved talking poster is disclosed. The present invention involves an improved speaker enclosure for a talking poster. The speaker enclosure includes an inner circle in which the speaker is located. It also includes an outer circle which, in conjunction with the inner circle, forms a chamber providing increased sound volume and quality for the talking poster. An improved method for making a talking poster is also disclosed. The method involves inverse printing the art work on the back of the module cover to protect it from scratching and wear.

Abstract: An improved electronic price display system has rails into which are installed price display labels. Ridges along the top and bottom of the rails are shaped to receive a label readily. A removal tool may be engaged to release the pawls of the label to extract the label. Ridges at the rear of the rails, together with a resilient insert, permit quick mounting to a shelf with a minimal number of fasteners. A hemicylindrical feature at the back of the rails permits generous area of contact with a mounting screw having a hemispherical head. Opposed groove features permit the concealment of the screw heads and provide a visual design element.Angled ridges on the rear face of the label engage with knurls on the rails providing contact wiping, enhancing electrical integrity of the label-to-rail connection, and also fix the label in place.A feature along an edge of the rail provides a cylindrical concavity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel and unique entertainment card device such as a baseball trading card or a music rock star trading card comprising a flat, rectangular card including a touch sensitive element for sound activation. Replaceable electrical power batteries are mounted within the card. The touch sensitive element is activated by simply touching a surface area of the front side of the flat rectangular card. The entertainment card device further includes entertainment pictures such as of sports figures or music rock star images.

Abstract: A receptacle display includes a receptacle for holding a liquid; display means mounted with the receptacle; and sensing means sealingly mounted with the receptacle for sensing the condition of the liquid in the receptacle and actuating the display means when a predetermined condition of the liquid is sensed.

Abstract: A battery operated animated greeting card is disclosed which includes a display portion which is animated when the card is opened. The card includes a circuit board activated by batteries, with a wire of a titanium-alloy material activated by the circuit board to contract to move a portion of the display portion.

Abstract: This invention relates to a music poster which includes a sound generating system disposed in a rectangular case combined with a poster. A PC board assembly includes an insulating board and a conductive minute hand mounted thereon, and is coupled externally to a sound generator and an LED assembly. Responsive to the minute hand passing through a sound operative interval, a variety of musical sounds are generated through the sound generator, and the LED assembly is operative to produce a flashing light effect, simultaneously. When the minute hand reaches and passes through a non-effective interval, the audio-visual operation is stopped immediately. As an alternate form, the PC board assembly is replaced by a photoelectric or acoustic sensor which controls the operation of the sound generator and the LED assembly, so as to let the sound generator and the LED assembly begin to operate when people are detected as passing by the poster, by a change in light levels, or sound.

Abstract: A title display system for an automatic phonograph in which two sets of large panels, each side of which is adapted to carry three CD jackets, are arranged side by side in a recess in the front of the machine cabinet for concomitant pivotal movement of the panels inwardly or outwardly. A panel moving control system may be set in a first mode in which the panels are moved periodically to attract attention or in a second mode in which the panels are returned to positions at which predetermined pages are in view in the quiescent condition of the phonograph.

Abstract: A display panel device includes a display panel having a sensor sensitive to light, sound, heat and so on and a recorder/playback combination attached thereto. As an object transparent to or shielding light and generating sound or heat approaches the panel, the sensor is automatically actuated to give an automatic actuation to the recorder/playback combination, thereby reproducing music or sound from the surface of the display panel.

Abstract: An advertising and display device includes apparatus to provide automation so as to interact with persons in the area by means of passive infrared sensing devices. The advertising and display device may take the form of a rotating platform or representation of a being or animal, and may incorporate an audio message delivery system also activated by the physical proximity of persons detected by the infrared sensors. The sensing system may be remotely located to enable the advertising and display device to be placed within an enclosure such as a showroom window, etc., and the display platform may incorporate a photoelectric detector to temporarily stop the drive system when a person is in extremely close proximity in order to allow that person to more closely examine items located on the platform.

Abstract: A system for identifying a house includes a display unit mounted outside the house, the display unit housing a plurality of bulbs for back lighting a translucent panel, with numbers affixed thereto. A combined control module/power pack within the house and in electrical communication with the display unit. The power pack includes an electronic control circuit for selectively providing a plurality of modes of operation, including an automatic operation (e.g. the display unit goes on at dusk and off at dawn), manual operation, blinking white display, and blinking red display, plus an override in any mode, including an off mode. The blinking display signals an emergency condition. A separate status display enables a home owner to give a status signal to a person outside the house to give warning of such thing as the presence of a home invader, for example.

Abstract: A display device of the matrix type utilizes coincident current selection of display elements by the provision of row conductors (R) activating row electromagnets (D) and column conductors (C) activating column electromagnets (H). Each display element includes a rotatable vane (S) which is stable in open and closed positions and a permanent magnet (M) co-operates with the electromagnet (D) to urge the vane (S) into the appropriate position.A clutch member in the form of a bar (L) extending from the vane (S) contacts the pole face of an electromagnetic (H) which, when activated, serves to inhibit movement of the vane irrespective of activation of the row electromagnet (D). Thus by pulsing the display row-by-row, the state of the display elements can be set by selective inhibiting of movement in coincident manner of the appropriate vanes (S) by pulsing the respective column conductors.

Abstract: A display panel includes a matrix of rows and columns of individually rotatable cube-like display elements each having four display faces, with opposing faces being identical in color or reflectivity, for example, and adjacent faces which are 90.degree. to one another each being of opposite color or reflectivity, for example. A trigger arm protruding from a center portion of an upper or a lower edge of each display face is selectively contacted by a trigger pin of a solenoid mounted upon and moved past the cube via a carriage mechanism for rotating the display element at least 45.degree., whereafter the display element continues to rotate an additional 45.degree. in the same direction, and is assisted in completing the rotation by a magnetic detent mechanism, which detents the display element into its new position after completion of rotation, for displaying a new face of the display element at the front of the display matrix.

Abstract: A modularized optical fiber display system is disclosed wherein each module has an optical train including a plurality of optical fibers or cables organized at one end into a bundle which is illuminated by a lamp, with each of the optical fibers of the bundle having an individual, independently controlled shuttering mechanism associated with it for controlling light flow from each optical fiber to respective lenses forming pixels in a signboard display. Each of the pixels is individually controlled to enable production of any desired alpha-numeric character or other graphic on the signboard. Each of the display modules can be separately used, or integrated into a single large display.

Abstract: An animated mannequin head for simulating human facial expressions. A rigid substrate in the form of a head is partially covered with elongated, pressurized fluid filled tubes. The tubes, termed tube motor elements, are either covered by or are embedded in a deformable layer/stratum, the outer surface of which is textured and tinted to simulate facial skin, the layer/stratum positioned on the head to simulate a face. Upon variation of the fluid pressure within various groups of the tube motor elements, various facial expressions may be simulated. In a first embodiment, helical coil springs are used instead of pressurized tubes, passage of direct current through the coils causing them to contract, the coils being embedded in a deformable layer/stratum. In a second embodiment, a grid of parallel wires is embedded in the simulated skin, passage of direct current through selected segments of selected pairs of wires causes them to move together, at right angles to their length, thus distorting the skin.

Abstract: A controller including a servo to time movement of an animated character with audible sounds reproduced in synchronism with control signals for the servo. A slippable friction drive also makes it permissible to interrupt movement of the character for any period of time. After such an interruption is terminated, the servo and friction drive return the movement of the character to a normal phase and amplitude.

Abstract: A stationary matrix panel has magnetic display elements arranged in vertical and horizontal rows, each element having two stable states of contrasting appearance. Electromagnetic actuator heads are mechanically coupled together by resilient couplings so as to move in unison and actuate selected display elements. The couplings are arranged to allow limited movement in a direction normal to that of the travel of the actuator heads across the matrix panel, thereby allowing for slight misalignment in the panel. Each actuator head contains a number of individual electromagnets and is responsive to a respective indexing track which provides signals indicative of the actual position of the actuation of the electromagnets in the head. The matrix panel has a plurality of guide rails arranged to provide accurate vertical registration of the heads, each guide rail being slotted to provide the indexing.

Abstract: An electromagnetic display element is controlled by one or more high remanence cores which have control windings. A circuit is connectable to an A.C. outlet and provides to the windings a D.C. pulse in one sense (to switch the display element in one direction) when the circuit is connected to the A.C. outlet. The circuit included a capacitor charged during such connection. The circuit is designed so that, on its disconnection from the A.C. outlet, the capacitor discharges through the winding in the opposite sense and switches the display element in the opposite direction.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a display utilizing a plurality of display prisms in a single device each of which can be separately actuated so that there can be more messages available to a user than surfaces on the prisms due to the interaction of messages on a cooperative basis.

Abstract: The variable information sign includes, in one embodiment, a display board 10 having a smooth and nonporous display surface 10A, a carriage 12 supported from and movable with respect to display board 10, a plurality of print modules 14 that are supported by carriage 12, an erase roller 16 also supported from carriage 12, and a re-inking station 18 supported from display board 10 and located at one side thereof. Each of the print modules contains a supply of a dry erase ink which is located into the print module when the carriage is in proximity to the re-inking station. As the carriage is caused to move in a predetermined direction, each of the print modules is deactuated and the erase roller wipes the display surface to remove any previously-printed information.

Abstract: An integrated electronic dynamic alpha/numeric message and picture display system for simultaneously displaying photographic or poster-type pictures with alpha/numeric message texts. The programmed coded electrical information generating the text is also mixed with coded information to simultaneously control the visibility and presentation time of selected pictures from a series or array of accompanying pictures. In this manner it is possible to selectively generate text of any practical length while at the same time presenting to the viewer accompanying related pictures.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating an animated image when viewed from a location in motion. The apparatus comprises a series of images; and at least one illumination device for emitting light flashes adapted to illuminate the images. Ignition devices are provided for causing a light flash to be emitted each time the location has moved a distance substantially equal to the spacing between two successive images. The illumination device is fixed relative to the images and is adapted to simultaneously illuminate an entire section including the series of images.A method of providing an animated image for viewing by a viewer at a location in motion relative to a series of stationary images. The method includes sensing the velocity of motion of the location relative to the series of images. A series of the images is illuminated for viewing from the location as the location moves past the images. The illumination device for flash illuminating the images is fixed relative to the images.

Abstract: A pair of endless belts of different lengths are intermittently and simultaneously advanced in sequential steps to present first and second indicia behind a viewing window. Each of the indicia on one belt identifies a movable part of a person's body and each of the indicia on the other belt identifies a movement to be performed. The indicia on each belt include a plurality of legends identifying each body part or movement, respectively, but arranged randomly in series on the belts. A selectively operable control serves to vary the time interval between sequential steps.

Abstract: Advertising apparatus with electrically operated attention drawing means conveniently in the form of a lamp or device for emitting an audio signal. The apparatus is for use with a device for dispensing liquids from inverted bottles and has a support bracket, a resilient mounting projecting from the bracket and adapted to locate a liquid metering device and a bottle attached thereto, and a switching circuit for operating the attention-drawing means with the switching circuit being closed by movement of the bottle on the resilient mounting when the liquid metering device is activated.

Abstract: An indicating device including an indicator having a plurality of information bearing surfaces adapted to be movable from a first position to a plurality of second positions. The indicating device includes an armature member coupled to the indicator and adapted to pivot about an axis with the armature member having a plurality of radially extending armature pole pieces disposed at its opposite ends. A stator member having a plurality of pole pieces disposed adjacent each armature pole piece and in a spaced apart relation therefrom such that when the armature member pivots about is axis, one of the armature pole pieces rotates toward one of the stator pole pieces, and the other of the armature pole pieces rotates away from the other of the stator pole pieces.

Abstract: A remote controlled image display device includes an assembly of contrast bodies each of which is pivotally mounted for movement between a position of rest and an optionally arrestable position and exhibits to a viewer in combination with a background surface a contrast picture which depends upon which of the two positions the contrast bodies occupy. Movement of the contrast bodies from the rest position to the arrestable position can be effected in various ways such as by means of flexible control threads attached to the bodies, or by use of air jets, and the bodies are held in the arrestable position by releasable electrostatic attractive forces.

Abstract: A device for displaying the definition of words listed alphabetically in sequence on a continuous roll of tape. The tape is rolled past a display window between two rollers each linked by a belt to a reversible motor. A cursor is externally slidably mounted on the housing so as to travel under manual pressure transversely to the direction of travel of the tape, with an electrical contact brush internally mounted to the cursor above the tape which makes contact with a metal idler roller under the tape when the cursor is positioned so that the brush passes through a hole in the tape. A hole is located in the tape at the beginning of each set of words of each letter of the alphabet, with the transverse location of such holes corresponding to markings on the housing to which the cursor may be aligned.

Abstract: An artificially animated face with three-dimensional facial features formed of a flexible material is provided with remotely actuable concealed mechanisms for manipulating the jaw, rounding the mouth, and drawing the lower lip inward relative to the upper lip. The face is operated by an audio input either from a microphone or from an audio tape. The audio input is fed both through an audio amplification system to a speaker located proximate to the face, and also to an audio encoder which senses the major frequencies of the spoken sounds of the audio input and produces one or more digital signals in response thereto. If an "F" sound is detected, the lower lip of the figure is drawn inward to a slight degree, thus simulating human lip movement in sounding the consonant "F". If the decoder detects an "O" sound, the mouth is rounded in response thereto. If the decoder detects an "A" sound, the mouth is drawn into a line.

Abstract: The invention contemplates improved means of control for a copy holder, for example, a roll-operated positioning device for a data draft or the like sheet to be copied by a typist, so that the eye can be guided correctly on a line-by-line basis. The improved control provides precise electric-motor drive for each of a plurality of selected different paper-displacing increments, at least one of the increments being selectively adjustable to exactly match the line spacing unique to the particular paper from which the copy is to be made.

Abstract: A matrix display comprises an array of display elements arranged in vertical and horizontal rows. Each element comprises a vane pivotally mounted for movement between stable positions in one of which the vane covers a light-transmissive area contained in an opaque member arranged to be illuminated from behind by a first light source and displays a low-reflectance face to an observer. In a second stable position the vane exposes the illuminated area to the observer and also reflects light from a second source towards the observer, for which purpose the vane may be supported at an acute angle to the opaque member. Each vane is fastened to a permanent magnet arranged to cooperate with a reversibly polarizable electromagnet to be moved from one stable position to the other. In one embodiment an array of electromagnets, one for each horizontal or vertical row of shutters, is traversed across the array and the electromagnets are individually selectively energized to produce a required display.

Abstract: A cosmetic analyzer unit has a color index section and a skin index section, with a digital numerical display for each section. Each section of the analyzer contains a plurality of keys by actuation of which an individual may answer multiple choice questions concerning her cosmetic determining characteristics. As the keys of each section are actuated, the corresponding index signal is numerically modified in accordance therewith, so that after all the multiple choice questions of a section have been answered, the corresponding color index or skin index signal is numerically displayed. A display unit is provided for displaying a number of skin color imparting cosmetics, and has keys corresponding to various color index ranges. When an individual presses the key corresponding to the range which includes her color index, skin color imparting cosmetics suitable for use by said individual are illuminated by the display.

Abstract: An electrophoretic device defining a fluid tight assembled container filled with a suspension of solid electrically charged particles. Two outer plates of the container are provided with electrodes and part of the inner walls of the container and electrodes are coated with an electret layer that is a layer of dielectric material carrying permanent electrical charges. The electret layer coating one of the outer plates may be removable in order to allow the transfer of the solid electrically charged particles between different electrophoretic media. One of the outer plate may be either transparent allowing thus a presentation of data. The permanent electrical charges of the electret layer introduce a voltage treshold into the control of migration of the suspended particles in the electrophoretic medium.

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