CA2019263A1 - Display device - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT

An advertising display cabinet has a hinged front door comprising a half-silvered mirror. Behind the mirror is an array of open-fronted cells each containing an electrical halogen lamp. Interposed between the open front of each cell and the mirror is a light-transmissive picture (printed or photographic). Photo-sensors disposed behind the mirror respond to diminished incident light caused by the presence of a person in front of the mirror, and activate an electrical controller which thereupon energises in sequence different halogen lamps or combinations thereof in the various cells thereby to cause predetermined back-projected picture images or combinations thereof to be seen by the person in appropriate areas of the mirror. The controller also activates a tape cassette player so as to provide simultaneously a spoken commentary appropriate to the displayed picture images. The individual pictures may be replaced by rolls or cassettes from which pictures may be selected in response to signals provided by the controller or cassette player. The respective cells and associated lamps and pictures may each take the form of a film projector, or an electronic video apparatus, arranged to project a picture image from a film or a video tape respectively directly on to the rear surface of the mirror.

Description

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DISPLAY DEVICE

This invention relates to a display device that has its primary field of utility in the field of advertising, though it may be used in any other relevant domestic, business or industrial field of activity.
In the past, mirrors have been used in advertising displays to attract attention, to provide rear views of objects placed in front of them, and to generally enhance the aesthetic appeal of the display. Moreover, such mirrors have been used in conjunction with hidden lighting disposed in front of them for the purpose of illuminating such objects. In those displays, the mirror has played an entirely passive, though attractive baekground role.
"Half-silvered" mirrors have been used, for :::
example, in commercial and business premises to give privacy to staff working in an office area which is located adjacent a public access area. Provided that the illumination level in the office area is lower than that in the public access area, staff in the office can observe the -~
public without themselves being seen by the public.
; According to one aspect of the present invention, i~
a display device includes a decorative panel or screen, for ; ~ 25 example, a mirror of the half-silvered kind. Behind that ~ ;;;
panel or mirror is disposed an array of open-fronted cells, ~ ~;
and in each cell there is provided a controllable source of illumination. The cells are constructed of a light-opaque -~
material, so that light in one cell cannot reach other - ;~;
~ 30 cells. Each of some F all of the cells is provided at or I near its open-fronted end with a picture support for holding a light-transmissive picture in a position disposed -~
between the light source and the rear face of the panel or mirror, so that on illumination of the cell an image of the 35 picture may be seen from the front, viewing face of the - ;-panel or mirror, instead of the normal appearance of the panel, or the reflection of light emanating from positions in front of the mirror. An electrical controller disposed preferably behind the panel or mirror is arranged to ,~

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control, when activated, the illumination sources in the respective cells in a predetermined manner, and a proximity sensor disposed preferably behind the panel or mirror is arranged to activate the controller whenever a person closely approaches the panel or mirror, thereby to cause the controller to illuminate in time sequence different cells or different combinations of two or more cells.
With such a display device, a person approaching the panel or mirror at a distance sees only its normal front-lighted appearance or a normal mirror reflecting the scene in front of it. However, on closer approach to the panel or mirror, the proximity sensor responds to the presence of the person, and activates the controller to cause it thereupon to energise in a preferably pre-programmed time sequence the respective light sources so asto achieve illumination of the respective cells in predetermined sequence, or in a predetermined sequence of different combinations of cells. -~
Illumination of each cell is at such a level that the image of the light-transmissive picture supported at the open front of the cell is rendered visible through the adjacent part of the panel or mirror, in place of the front appearance or reflection that is normally seen there.
Each of such cells may include a magnifying means for magnifying the picture so as to provide an enlarged image thereof on the rear surface of the panel or mirror. ~ ; -If desired, and as an alternative, in place of a half-silvered mirror there may be used instead a normally opaque, preferably reflecting, panel which has been ~-30 ; prepared by trea,ting!altransparent substrate (e.g. glass,~
or a plastics film or rigid sheet) with a paint or dye in a ; -~
; manner analogous to that used in producing a half-silvered mirror, so that back-projected images may be visible to a ; :~
person in front of the panel.
In another alternative, the panel may comprise a ~ --tinted glass panel, or a fine screen Or a natural or man- - -; made textile fabric (e.g a muslin), with or without a protective glass or other transparent sheet, preferably tightly stretched on a frame. Such a fabric may be plain . ~

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and of a single colour, or it may carry a multi-coloured pattern. ';~, The proximity sensor preferably comprises a ;,~, pho~o-responsive sensor arranged to respond to the light reaching it through the panel or mirror. With such a sensor, the light falling on it diminishes when a person , ' approaches the panel or mirror, since that person in effect casts a shadow over the sensor.
Additional proximity sensors may be provided so 10 as to sense persons approaching from different directions. ,~
The controller is preferably also arranged to ~ , activate an audio tape cassette player so as to initiate a spoken commentary concerning the subject matter portrayed ,~
by the respective illuminated cells or combinations , 15 thereof. The cassette player is preferably arranged to ''~
supply control signals to the controller so as to cause it ;, ','' to e~fect a change in the illuminated cell or the , combination of illuminated cells whenever necessary for the ~;~ coordination of changes in the display of visual images ~ ~;''' with changes in the subject matter of the spoken commentary. ",~
~ Alternatively, the controller may supply control ;~ signals to the cassette player so as to select spoken ';~
commentary appropriate to a change of illuminated cell or a changed combination Or illuminated cells. In this case, the controller may be pre-programmed to efrect a' ~, ,''~
predetermined sequence Or illuminated cells or combinations ," ,~;~
illuminated cells; or it may be programmed to select on ', ' ' a random basis the next combination of illuminated cells. ,~,, 30 In this,latter case, thel cassette player would be arranged '~
to provide at the end Or each piece of spoken commentary a ~ ~
control signal for causing the controller to select the '' ,', next illuminated cell or combination Or illuminated cells, ~;
~' and in turn the controller would provide the cassette '' '- 35 player with the identity of the section of commentary to be ' played.
Illumination of the respective cells may be ~ achieved by high intensity electric light bulbs (e.g. Or ;~ the halogen kind), and the cells may be provided, as 20~92~3 .. ..

required, with rear reflectors and/or front diffusing screens.
The said light-transmissive pictures may comprise pictures suitably printed on any convenient susbstrate or film, by any convenient mode of printing. Suitable pictures include the following: photographs, photographic transparencies, and illustrations printed on paper or other light transmissive material (including pictures produced by conventional printing techniques, or by laser printers, or by photo-copiers).
Where desired, the picture support may include a storage means for storing a plurality of different pictures ar.d an associated, controllable selection means for .
selecting and positioning specific pictures to match given parts of a commentary. In the case of photographic transparencies, a cell may be provided with a sequence of such transparencies on a continuous film which is carried on a controllable film transporter.
Preferably, the panel or mirror and its associated devices are all arranged in a self-contained cabinet. In such an arrangement, the controller preferably includes, in addition, a temperature monitoring device for monitoring the temperature achieved inside the cabinet, and i for supplying temperature dependent signals to the ~ -controller so as to enable it to control the selection and ~ ;~energisation of further cells or combinations Or cells in a manner such as to prevent the attainment of an unsafe temperature within the cabinet. `~
A convenient arrangement Or such a cabinet has the panel~or mirroF hingedly moun;ted at one vertical boundary of the cabinet, so that the panel or mirror forms a hinged front door to the cabinet. With such an -arrangement, opening the front door provides ready access to the parts of the apparatus enclosed within the cabinet, and for changing the pictures associated with the respective cells.
According to another aspect of the invention, the display device is provided with a microphone for detecting voice signals emitted by an onlooker in response to :~

questions put to the viewer in the spoken commentary, and the controller is arranged to change the illuminated cell or combination o~ illuminated cells in dependence upon the :
voice signals received. ;~
Each cell and its associated lamp and picture support may be constituted by (a) a film projector for ~ -~
projecting magnified picture images directly on to ~he rear surface of the panel or mirror, or (b) a video apparatus and an associated video tape, likewise for projecting ;~
images on to the rear surface of the panel or mirror. With such alternative forms of apparatus, it is relatively simple to back-project moving images on to the panel or mirror.
Other features of the present invention will appear from a reading of the description that follows hereafter, and from the claims appended at the end of that -description.
` One preferred form of advertising display device (referred to sometimes hereafter as the 'TALKING MIRROR' (trade mark)) and various modifications thereof, all according to the present invention, will now be described ~ by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying ;~ diagrammatic drawings.
In those drawings:- ~
Figures l(a) and l(b) show similar front views ;
looking at the viewing (i.e. front) face Or the TALKING
MIRROR, showing respectively (a) that face when in its passive, totally re~lective state, and (b) that face when in one of its active, partly-transmissive, partly-`~ 30 reflective states;j Figure 2 shows, to a different scale, a pictorial view of the TALKING MIRROR with its front mirror panel -swung open to reveal the associated structure disposed ` behind the mirror panel;
Figure 3 shows, again to a different scale, a ;~ cross section taken on a vertical plane III-III indicated in the Figure 2;
Figures 4(a), 4(b) and 4(c) show, again to a different scale and in vertical cross sections similar to .

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that of Figure 3, various modified forms of one only of a plurality of cells shown in Figure 3;
Figure 5 shows a schematic circuit diagram of the principal electric circuits incorporated in the TALKING
MIRROR; , '' Figure 6 shows in schematic form one arrangement ~-of the electric circuits shown in Figure 5; and '~
Figure 7 shows a modification of part of the circuit arrangemen~ shown in Figure 6. , Referring now to the drawings, the display device there shown comprises a cabinet 10 having a body part 12 arranged for wall-mounting7 and a hinged door 14 carried on ~,~
the left hand side wall 16 of the body part 12. The door comprises a frame 18 in which is carried a door panel in 15 the form of a mirror 20 of the half-silvered kind. , Mounted within the upper portion Or the cabinet body 12 is an array of back-pro~ectors 22 arranged when ~ ",`
~;, appropriately energised to project picture images on to '- ~
respective corresponding areas of the rear, half-silvered "~ `'' 20 surface of the mirror 20. Those pro~ectors are clustered ,,~
~'~' around a central cell 24 in which a product 26 to be ,',' advertised may be displayed. That cell is provided with a ~"~,''',i,',,'~' halogen lamp 28 for illuminating the displayed product 26, and if desired, with a rear mirror 30 for enhancing the ' ~
25 display of the product 26. ~ ~:
Mounted on a platform 32 in the lower portion of ,;' the cabinet body 12 is an electronic controller 34, an ,'~
audio tape casette player 36, two photo-electric proximity ~
`'~ sensors 38, and electric wiring 40 interconnecting the '"
30 various, electricalicom,,ponents of the dlsplay deyice.
In normal operation, the door is maintained ~ '~
locked in its closed position, and is opened to the ~ ~
position shown in the Figure 2 for access and servicing ,, ` purposes only.
Each back-pro~ector 22 comprises an open-fronted ~'^' ; cell 42 in which is mounted a halogen lamp 44. The cell is provided at its open front end with a picture holder 46 for ~ receiving and supporting a light-transmissive picture 48 ,~ whose image is to be projected on to the rear surface of 20~926~ ~

the mirror 20. The cells 24 and 42 are all constructed of~
a light-opaque material which prevents light f'rom one cell reaching any other cell. I~ desired, a light reflecting surface 50 may be provided at the closed rear end of each ~:
5 cell 42, whilst a translucent diffuser screen 52 may be disposed at the open front end of the cell between the lamp 44 and the picture 48.
A thermo-sensor 54 mounted in the upper part of :~
the cabinet supplies a temperature dependent signal to the -~
10 electrical controller 34. :
As shown in the schematic diagram o~ Figure 5, the controller 34 has output circuits 34A and 34B for :~;
energising the halogen lamps 44 in the respective cells 42, - - :
an output circuit 34C for energising the lamp 28 in the 15 central display cell 24, and an output circuit 34D for . ~-~
supplying control signals to the tape cassette player 36. : `
The controller has input circuits 34E for ~ ~:
~:receiving input signals from the two proximity sensors 38, :
an input circuit 34F for receiving the temperature signal 20 from the thermo-sensor 54, an input circuit 34G for receiving control signals from the cassette player 36, and .. :
an input circuit 34H for receiving input signals from a microphone 56 mounted behind the mirror.
The controller 34 also incorporates a sequence 25 control device 58 which when activated by a signal from one :.;
:~or both proximity sensors 38 carries out a sequence of operations to cause the TALKINC MIRROR to react in a desired manner to the presence of a person standlng ad~acent the mirror.
~ ~. The sequencelcontrol device 58 may include.an -~ electric motor driven series of' cam-operated switches which are connected in the respective lamp energising and other output circuits of~ the controller. Thus, on energisiation of the electric motor the sequence control device causes 35 f~irst the illumination of the central display cell 24, then .~ ;
the actuation of the cassette player 36 so as to initiate a spoken commentary, and then in succession the illumination o~ selected cells 42 or selected combinations of' cells 42, the sequence of~ such cells or combinations thereof' being ...
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. - 2 0 1 9 2 ~ 3 coordinated with successive parts Or the spoken commentary emitted by the cassette player.
The energisation of the selected lamps or ;~
combinations of lamps may be automatically diminished or otherwise modified by the temperature signal received from the thermo-sensor 54, so as to limit the heat generated -within those lamps, and thereby to prevent excessive -temperatures being reached in the cabinet, Control signals incorporated in the audio tape are tor may be) relayed by the cassette player 36 to the controller 34 via the input circuit 34G, and serve to affect or modify the operation of the sequence control device 58 so as to provide a desired time sequence of illuminated cells or combinations thereof.
In cases where the spoken commentary asks questions of the person looking into the mirror, the responses of that person are picked up by the microphone 56 -~
and relayed to the controller 34 via the input circuit 34H, , so as to effect or modify the operation of the sequence control device 58.
In an alternative form of electrical controller, ~ -the sequence control device may comprise a wholly-static electronic circuit for effecting the same or a similar sequence of cell illumination and coordinated commentary.
In a modification of the display device descrlbed above, the sequence control device 58 comprises an electronic circuit which i9 arranged to select on a random basis predetermined combinations of cell illumination. In that case, the sequence control device 58 supplies to the icassette playerl,36jvial;t,he output,circuit 34D control signals identifying the particular section of the spoken commentary which is to accompany the currently selected illuminated cell or combination of illuminated cells.
~-~ In another modification of the controller, the sequence control device 58 is activated and controlled by control signals produced by the cassette player in response to other control signals which are incorporated in the tape carrying the spoken commentary, the cassette player in that case being activated automatically by the proximity devices 20~9263 ~ ~;

38 in response to the presence of an onlooker ad~acent the display cabinet. ~: ;;::
One static embodiment of the electric circuits `~
shown in Figure 5 is illustrated in Figure 6, where -components which have counterparts in Figure 5 bear the respective references shown in Figure 5. In Figure 6, the :::
photo-electric proximit~ devices 38 feed their output ~:
signals, optionally through an integrator 60, to one input circuit 62 of a differential amplifier 64. The other input :;~
10 circuit of that amplifier is connected through a source 66 ~ I
of threshold potential to earth 68. The output of that : amplifier supplies control signals to the input circuit of ~: a bi-stable device 70, which in turn supplies an input . .
circuit of the tape cassette player 36. The output of the ::~
¦ 15 bi-stable device 70 also controls the energisation of the .
¦ lamp 28 in the central display cell 24. ~
The loudspeaker output of the tape cassette .
player is also supplied, via a filter 72, to an input ~:~ circuit of a shift register 74, which has ten output ~ :
` ~ 20 circuits 34A, 34B for controlling the energisations of the respective lamps 44 in the respective cells 42.
In operation, the casting of a shadow over at least one of the proximity devices 38 as an onlooker : approaches the display device causes a change in the signal . 25 supplied to the input circuit 62 of the differentlal ~i~ amplifier 64, with the result that in due course that ~ amplifier swings its output signal and so causes the bi-;~ stable device 70 to provide an output signal for effecting ~: illumination of the lamp 28 in the central display cell 24, -`~ 30 and also activatioln of the tape cassette player 36.
Control signals incorporated in the tape being transported in the cassette player are transmitted through ; ;
filter 72 to the input circuit 62 of the shift register 74, .~ which in response thereto provides an output at one of its -~
` ~ 35 output circuits 34A, 34B and so causes illumination of one ::-of the lamps 44 in the cells 42. Each time such a control :;: signal is received at the input circuit of the shift `:~ `
register, the output of the shift register transfers to another output circuit 34A, 34B of the shift register, with : ,. .~.~.,.

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the result that the currently illuminated lamp is extinguished, and another lamp 44 in another cell 42 is illuminated in its stead.
The shift register has a reset circuit 76 at which a reset signal is developed on completion of a predetermined sequence of lamp illumination. That reset -signal is supplied to the bi-stable device 70 and to the shift register itself, thereby to cause those two devices to reset to their respective quiescent states, and so cause 10 the lamp 28 in the central display cell 24 to be -~ ~m~
extinguished. ~ ;~
It will be noted that in that arrang0ment, the tape cassette player is controlled directly by changes in the excitation of the proximity devices, whilst the shift register (and hence the sequence of illuminating the lamps 44) is controlled indirectly by signals incorporated in the -;:,:
commentary tape.
The converse arrangement can be achieved by modi~ying the circuit of Figure 6 in the manner shown in Figure 7. In that arrangement, the output of the bistable device 70 eontrols directly the shift register 74, and hence the lamp illumination sequence, whilst the tape cassette player 36 receives its control signals from the shift register 74 in accordance with the identity of the output circuit 34A, 34B supplying the currently illuminated lamp 44, so as to ensure coordination of the spoken commentary with the sequence of cell illumination.
;~ The display device described above may also be modified in that, in one or more of the cells 42 (Figure 30 4(a)3 the picture!48 is;replaced by a cassette 60 of!
pictures and an associated controllable selection means 62 ror selecting rrom the cassette speci~ic pictures in turn, as identified by signals received at its input circuit 64 from the controller 34. Such picture selection signals may be derived from corresponding picture selection signals included in the spoken commentary tape. ~ ;
The picture selection signals implanted in the ~;
commentary tape may be such as to produce at a particular area of the mirror, during a particular section of -, :.
: :

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commentary, a sequence Or successlve pictures, and such pictures may be changed at a rate and in a manner such as to produce, in effect, moving images. Such moving images could be more easily produced by a miniature film proJector substituted in the a~propriate cell 42 in place Or lamp 44 ~ `
and picture 48. Such a film pro~ector is shown in Figure 4(b). Alternatively, such moving images could be produced by using a small electronic video apparatus having as its input source a suitable video tape and video tape player. ~;
10 Figure 4(c) shows such a video apparatus. In such an ;;
alternative display device, the video tape could also incorporate the spoken commentary, thus obviating the need for the audio tape cassette player 36.
Whereas in the above described display device, a mirror 20 has been used to provide a plain ~ront panel for the cabinet, which on the close approach of a person becomes an active display panel showing in changing parts of the mirror back-projected advertising displays which are accompanied by appropriate commentary, the mirror may be replaced by any equivalent decorative panel which permits a similar change from a passive, decorative (e.g. totally front light reflective) state to an active state in which - selected areas thereof exhibit pictures produced by back-pro~ection techniques. For example, the technique for applying the silvering particles to a glass substrate may be used instead to apply some aesthetically attractive `~ paint(s) or dye(s) to a glass substrate, or otherwise to a ~; suitable transparent plastics film or rigid sheet material.
; In a further alternative modification of the 30 apparatus first descri~bed above, the individual pictures~ ;
for the respective cells 48 may be formed as a single composite mask for supporting as a single unit between the ~ array of cells and the rear surface of the mirror 20. `
;~ It will be appreciated from the above ;-~
35 description, that a person approaching any one of the ~`
display devices described above would see first in the distant decorative panel (e.g. half-silvered mirror) the normal front-lighted appearance of the panel (e.g. ~ ~
reflections of the neighbouring environment). However, on `

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closer approach to the panel, the normal appearance (or reflections) seen in various areas of the panel would be replaced by back-projected picture images, and a voice ~
would be heard speaking a commentary appropria-te to the -~-sub~ect matter portrayed in the back-proJeeted images.
Those images may be static ones, or they may be moving images, depending on the nature of the projection and picture systems used in the TALKING MIRROR. The panel (or mirror) area or combination of panel (or mirror) areas portraying such images would change periodically in a manner co-ordinated with the sub~ect matter Or successive sections of the spoken commentary.
Where the spoken commentary poses questions for response by the person looking into the panel (or mirror), the nature of the response conveyed to the electrical controller may be used by the controller, for example, to determine the next back-projected area or combination of such areas of the panel (or mirror) and the relevant ~;~ section of spoken commentary.
Whereas the display devices described above have been referred to as devices intended primarily for use in the field of advertising, such devices may also be useful in other fields Or display: for example, in the field of school teaching and other forms of educational instruction, and also in the family home.
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Claims (19)

1. A display device comprising:
(a) a decorative panel or screen having a front surface and a rear surface;
(b) an array of controllable back-projection means disposed adjacent said rear surface of said panel and adapted when energised to project on to said adjacent rear surface of the panel respective predetermined picture images at a level of illumination such that those images can be seen by a person looking at said front surface of the panel in appropriate areas of the panel in place of the appearance normally seen in such areas;
(c) an electrical controller adapted, when activated, to selectively control in predetermined manner the energisations of the respective back-projection means thereby to enable said person to see in sequence individual picture images or combinations of picture images;
(d) an audio tape cassette player adapted when activated to emit a spoken commentary coordinated with the sequence of back-protected images or combinations thereof; and (e) a proximity sensor adapted to sense the presence of said person adjacent said panel and thereupon to cause activation of said electrical controller and said tape cassette player, thereby to present to said person said sequence of picture images or combinations thereof and simultaneously a spoken commentary coordinated with the respective images or combinations of images.

2. A display device according to claim 1, wherein said proximity sensor comprises a photo-responsive sensor arranged to respond to light reaching it through said panel.

3. A display device according to claim 1, wherein said electrical controller, said cassette player, and said proximity sensor are all disposed adjacent said rear surface of said panel thereby to be obscured by said panel from view by said person.

4. A display device according to claim 1, wherein each back-projection means comprises a cell having an open fronted portion thereof disposed adjacent said rear surface of said panel, a controllable electric lamp disposed in said cell, a picture support carried by said cell at said open fronted portion, and a light-transmissive picture supported in said support, said cell being constructed in such a manner and of such a material that light from said lamp cannot reach any other cell.

5. A display device according to claim 4, wherein said cell includes a picture store, a plurality of light-transmissive pictures loaded in said store, and a controllable picture selection means having a control terminal for receiving picture identifying control signals, said selection means being adapted to select a specific picture from said store and to place it in position in said open fronted portion of the cell in response to and in accordance with a picture identifying control signal received at said control terminal.

6. A display device according to claim 5, wherein the picture store comprises a film cassette, and said plurality of light-transmissive pictures comprises a roll of photographic transparencies.

7. A display device according to claim 5, wherein said audio cassette player is arranged to relay to said picture selection means, directly or indirectly through said electrical controller, control signals incorporated in a spoken commentary tape, which control signals constitute said picture identifying control signals.

8. A display device according to claim 1, wherein said electrical controller is adapted to select a next back-illuminated panel area or combination of such areas on a random basis, and to supply to said audio cassette player signals identifying the sections of the spoken commentary which are to be played so as to match the selected panel area or areas.

9. A display device according to claim 5, wherein each said back-projection means comprises a film protector arranged to protect transparency images on to said rear surface of the panel.

10. A display device according to claim 1, wherein each back-projection means comprises an electronic video projection apparatus incorporating an associated video tape, said apparatus being adapted to protect video images on to said rear surface of the panel under the control of said video tape.

11. A display device according to claim 1, comprising a closed cabinet having a front panel, which panel is constituted by said decorative panel, and wherein said cabinet encloses the afore-mentioned components that are associated with said decorative panel.

12. A display device according to claim 11, wherein said front panel is hinged to form a cabinet access door adapted to provide access to the components disposed within said cabinet.

13. A display device according to claim 11, including a temperature responsive sensor mounted in an upper part of said cabinet and adapted to supply to said electrical controller a temperature signal, and wherein said controller is adapted to modify the sequence or magnitude of energisation of the respective back-projection means in a manner such as to prevent the temperature in the cabinet reaching an unsafe level.

14. A display device according to claim 1, wherein said decorative panel comprises a half-silvered mirror.

15. A display device according to claim 1, wherein said decorative panel comprises a transparent substrate or film treated with at least one paint or dye in a manner, similar to that employed in producing a half-silvered mirror, such that back-projected images may become visible to said person adjacent said front surface of the panel.

16. A display device according to claim 1, wherein said decorative panel comprises textile fabric screen.

17. A display device according to claim 1, wherein said decorative panel comprises a tinted glass panel.

18. A display device according to claim 1, wherein said electrical controller is controlled by said proximity sensor, and supplies control signals to said tape cassette player thereby to coordinate the spoken commentary with the sequence of areas or combination of areas of said panel which are illuminated by the respective back-projection means.

19. A display device according to claim 1, wherein said tape cassette player is controlled by said proximity sensor, and is adapted to supply control signals to said electrical controller thereby to coordinate the illumination of said areas or combinations of said areas with the respective parts of said spoken commentary.