GB2158631A - Optical display apparatus - Google Patents

Optical display apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2158631A
GB2158631A GB08508947A GB8508947A GB2158631A GB 2158631 A GB2158631 A GB 2158631A GB 08508947 A GB08508947 A GB 08508947A GB 8508947 A GB8508947 A GB 8508947A GB 2158631 A GB2158631 A GB 2158631A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
view
field
display apparatus
light sources
illumination
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB08508947A
Other versions
GB2158631B (en
GB8508947D0 (en
Inventor
Manfred Lehmann
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Comtronic GmbH
Original Assignee
Comtronic GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Comtronic GmbH filed Critical Comtronic GmbH
Publication of GB8508947D0 publication Critical patent/GB8508947D0/en
Publication of GB2158631A publication Critical patent/GB2158631A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2158631B publication Critical patent/GB2158631B/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F19/00—Advertising or display means not otherwise provided for
    • G09F19/12—Advertising or display means not otherwise provided for using special optical effects
    • G09F19/20—Advertising or display means not otherwise provided for using special optical effects with colour-mixing effects
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F13/00—Illuminated signs; Luminous advertising
    • G09F13/18—Edge-illuminated signs
    • G09F2013/1804—Achieving homogeneous illumination
    • G09F2013/1827—Prismatic window

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  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Accounting & Taxation (AREA)
  • Marketing (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Illuminated Signs And Luminous Advertising (AREA)

Abstract

Optical display apparatus comprising a body 2 of translucent material, the body having a first surface 1 forming a field of view for the apparatus, and a plurality of further surfaces 3, 4 extending from the first surface, and a plurality of light sources 5, 6 disposed adjacent respective ones of at least two of the further surfaces, the light sources being individually actuable whereby the field is illuminated with a selected colour. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Optical display apparatus This invention relates to optical display apparatus having a field of view and at least one light source for illuminating the field of view.
For displaying visual information, even in dark surroundings, illuminated areas of fields are often used which may have the form of illuminated descriptive material or symbols which are rendered visible by back lighting. By colouring the field of view, this visual information may be provided in a predetermined colour. In many cases it is further desired to illuminate the same field of view with a different colour or colours. For this purpose, it is known to use light-emitting diodes which, when engergised, emit light of different wavelengths, depending on their operating condition. The number of colours available is in these cases limited and furthermore, the intensity of illumination afforded by light-emitting diodes is insufficient for larger fields of view.
The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an optical display apparatus of the type mentioned above which provides an illumination of the field of view with a selected one of a plurality of different colours.
According to the present invention there is provided optical display apparatus comprising a body of translucent material, the body having a first surface forming a field of view for the apparatus, and a plurality of further surfaces extending from the first surface, and a plurality of light sources disposed adjacent respective ones of at least two of the further surfaces, the light sources being individually actuable whereby the field of view is illuminated with a selected colour.
Optical display apparatus in accordance with the present invention allows the illumination of the field of view with any of a plurality of desired colours and permits the illumination of even a relatively large field of view without any problem.
When an illumination of the field of view with only two different colours is desired, the translucent body may have the shape of a triangular prism with one surface thereof forming the field of view and respective light sources being disposed adjacent the other two surfaces. If illumination of the field of view with three or more colours is desired, the translucent body may have the shape of a pyramid with the base thereof having as many sides as there are required different colours of illumination, the light sources being disposed adjacent the respective side surfaces of the pyramid.
To achieve the coloured illumination of the field of view either the light sources may be such as to emit light with a predetermined colour, or the respective side surfaces of the body are provided with an optical filter, for example by coating or by applying an appropriately coloured film, to give the desired colour.
Optical display apparatus in accordance with the present invention will now be descrbed in greater detail, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying single figure of drawing which shows a side view of the apparatus.
Referring to the drawing, the display apparatus comprises a translucent body 2 having a base surface 1 forming a field of view, and a triangular cross-section, whereby the body may be prismatic or pyramidal. At the side or refractive surfaces 3, 4 of the body, respective light sources 5, 6 are disposed which, when energised, illuminate the field of view 1.
The light sources 5, 6 may be of any type and may emit either light of a predetermined colour or the side or refractive surfaces 3,4 of the translucent body 2 may be provided with an optical filter of a desired colour such as by appropriately coating these surfaces or applying thereto a film of the like of a predetermined colour.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention for aircraft instrumentation, especially helicopters, it is possible to use the same type of light source for each of the light sources 5, 6 and to provide one of the refractive surfaces with an infrared filter so that on actuating the light source disposed adjacent the surface without the infrared filter, the field of view is illuminated with a relatively broad spectrum (wave- length) of light, whereas on actuating the other light source adjacent the infrared filter, the field of view is illuminated with no infrared light so that in this mode the display apparatus does not impair the use of infrared image converters used abroad the helicopter, usual at night, and in the other mode of illumination does not filter the infrared content of the light so as to maximise legibility of the display during daytime use.
It will be seen that the present invention provides a display apparatus of simple design permitting the illumination of a field of view with different colours without limitation of the number of colours and without limitation as regards the size of the field of view. If desired, two or more light sources can be energised simultaneously to provide illumination of the field of view in a colour differenct from that resulting from the energisation of only one of the light sources.
1. Optical display apparatus comprising a body of translucent material, the body having a first surface forming a field of view for the apparatus, and a plurality of further surfaces extending from the first surface, and a plurality of light sources disposed adjacent respective ones of at least two of the further surfaces, the light sources being individually actuable whereby the field of view is illuminated with a selected colour.
2. Display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the body has the shape of prism.
3. Display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the body has the shape of a pyramid, the base forming the field of view, and individual light sources being disposed adjacent at least two of the side surfaces thereof.
4. Display apparatus according to any of the
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (9)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Optical display apparatus This invention relates to optical display apparatus having a field of view and at least one light source for illuminating the field of view. For displaying visual information, even in dark surroundings, illuminated areas of fields are often used which may have the form of illuminated descriptive material or symbols which are rendered visible by back lighting. By colouring the field of view, this visual information may be provided in a predetermined colour. In many cases it is further desired to illuminate the same field of view with a different colour or colours. For this purpose, it is known to use light-emitting diodes which, when engergised, emit light of different wavelengths, depending on their operating condition. The number of colours available is in these cases limited and furthermore, the intensity of illumination afforded by light-emitting diodes is insufficient for larger fields of view. The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an optical display apparatus of the type mentioned above which provides an illumination of the field of view with a selected one of a plurality of different colours. According to the present invention there is provided optical display apparatus comprising a body of translucent material, the body having a first surface forming a field of view for the apparatus, and a plurality of further surfaces extending from the first surface, and a plurality of light sources disposed adjacent respective ones of at least two of the further surfaces, the light sources being individually actuable whereby the field of view is illuminated with a selected colour. Optical display apparatus in accordance with the present invention allows the illumination of the field of view with any of a plurality of desired colours and permits the illumination of even a relatively large field of view without any problem. When an illumination of the field of view with only two different colours is desired, the translucent body may have the shape of a triangular prism with one surface thereof forming the field of view and respective light sources being disposed adjacent the other two surfaces. If illumination of the field of view with three or more colours is desired, the translucent body may have the shape of a pyramid with the base thereof having as many sides as there are required different colours of illumination, the light sources being disposed adjacent the respective side surfaces of the pyramid. To achieve the coloured illumination of the field of view either the light sources may be such as to emit light with a predetermined colour, or the respective side surfaces of the body are provided with an optical filter, for example by coating or by applying an appropriately coloured film, to give the desired colour. Optical display apparatus in accordance with the present invention will now be descrbed in greater detail, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying single figure of drawing which shows a side view of the apparatus. Referring to the drawing, the display apparatus comprises a translucent body 2 having a base surface 1 forming a field of view, and a triangular cross-section, whereby the body may be prismatic or pyramidal. At the side or refractive surfaces 3, 4 of the body, respective light sources 5, 6 are disposed which, when energised, illuminate the field of view 1. The light sources 5, 6 may be of any type and may emit either light of a predetermined colour or the side or refractive surfaces 3,4 of the translucent body 2 may be provided with an optical filter of a desired colour such as by appropriately coating these surfaces or applying thereto a film of the like of a predetermined colour. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention for aircraft instrumentation, especially helicopters, it is possible to use the same type of light source for each of the light sources 5, 6 and to provide one of the refractive surfaces with an infrared filter so that on actuating the light source disposed adjacent the surface without the infrared filter, the field of view is illuminated with a relatively broad spectrum (wave- length) of light, whereas on actuating the other light source adjacent the infrared filter, the field of view is illuminated with no infrared light so that in this mode the display apparatus does not impair the use of infrared image converters used abroad the helicopter, usual at night, and in the other mode of illumination does not filter the infrared content of the light so as to maximise legibility of the display during daytime use. It will be seen that the present invention provides a display apparatus of simple design permitting the illumination of a field of view with different colours without limitation of the number of colours and without limitation as regards the size of the field of view. If desired, two or more light sources can be energised simultaneously to provide illumination of the field of view in a colour differenct from that resulting from the energisation of only one of the light sources. CLAIMS
1. Optical display apparatus comprising a body of translucent material, the body having a first surface forming a field of view for the apparatus, and a plurality of further surfaces extending from the first surface, and a plurality of light sources disposed adjacent respective ones of at least two of the further surfaces, the light sources being individually actuable whereby the field of view is illuminated with a selected colour.
2. Display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the body has the shape of prism.
3. Display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the body has the shape of a pyramid, the base forming the field of view, and individual light sources being disposed adjacent at least two of the side surfaces thereof.
4. Display apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the light sources, when energised, emit light of a predetermined colour.
5. Display apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein each further surface of the body having an adjacent light source is coloured with a predetermined colour.
6. Display apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein each further surface of the body having an adjacent light source is provided with an optical filter to give the required coloured illumination of the field of view.
7. Display apparatus according to claim 6, wherein each optical filter is in the form of a film of material applied to the corresponding surface.
8. Display apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein one of the filters-is an infrared filter.
9. Display apparatus substantially as herein particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
GB08508947A 1984-04-06 1985-04-04 Optical display apparatus Expired GB2158631B (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19843413133 DE3413133A1 (en) 1984-04-06 1984-04-06 OPTICAL DISPLAY DEVICE

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB8508947D0 GB8508947D0 (en) 1985-05-09
GB2158631A true GB2158631A (en) 1985-11-13
GB2158631B GB2158631B (en) 1988-04-13

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GB08508947A Expired GB2158631B (en) 1984-04-06 1985-04-04 Optical display apparatus

Country Status (3)

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DE (1) DE3413133A1 (en)
FR (1) FR2562697B1 (en)
GB (1) GB2158631B (en)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4845481A (en) * 1986-01-08 1989-07-04 Karel Havel Continuously variable color display device
US4965561A (en) * 1986-01-08 1990-10-23 Karel Havel Continuously variable color optical device
EP0902411A2 (en) * 1997-09-11 1999-03-17 Eaton Corporation Display system
US6121944A (en) * 1986-07-07 2000-09-19 Texas Digital Systems, Inc. Method of indicating and evaluating measured value
US6121767A (en) * 1986-01-15 2000-09-19 Havel; Karel Digital multimeter with variable color range indication
US6310590B1 (en) 1986-01-15 2001-10-30 Texas Digital Systems, Inc. Method for continuously controlling color of display device
US6414662B1 (en) 1999-10-12 2002-07-02 Texas Digital Systems, Inc. Variable color complementary display device using anti-parallel light emitting diodes
WO2005073617A2 (en) * 2004-01-22 2005-08-11 Siemens Vdo Automotive Corporation Illuminated display having two single-colored light sources
US7015877B2 (en) 2004-06-30 2006-03-21 Litech Electronic Products Limited Multi-color segmented display

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2197941B (en) * 1986-11-24 1990-12-12 British Aerospace Device for illuminating displays on equipment consoles
DE3900419A1 (en) * 1989-01-09 1990-07-12 Albert Henning Luminescent information element
FR3088735B1 (en) 2018-11-15 2020-10-30 Thales Sa LIGHTING DEVICE COMPATIBLE WITH NIGHT VISION EQUIPMENT (S)

Citations (2)

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GB746165A (en) * 1953-12-29 1956-03-07 Forges Ateliers Const Electr Improvements relating to illuminated signalling panels
GB1418032A (en) * 1972-04-20 1975-12-17 Elliott Brothers London Ltd Visual position indicators

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US2998597A (en) * 1959-12-21 1961-08-29 American Mach & Foundry Illuminated indicator
US3674341A (en) * 1970-12-08 1972-07-04 Scm Corp Liquid crystal display device having improved optical contrast
IL40825A (en) * 1972-11-13 1977-03-31 Stolov M Digital display device
SE7413182L (en) * 1974-10-18 1976-04-20 Teleplan Ab INDICATOR
JPS55118077A (en) * 1979-03-05 1980-09-10 Hitachi Ltd Color display unit
HU179357B (en) * 1979-04-26 1982-10-28 Villamos Berendezes Es Elektro Method and apparatus for implemetning color light indicating
DE3018099A1 (en) * 1980-05-12 1981-11-19 Siemens AG, 1000 Berlin und 8000 München DEVICE FOR MULTICOLORED OPTICAL PRESENTATION OF INFORMATION

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB746165A (en) * 1953-12-29 1956-03-07 Forges Ateliers Const Electr Improvements relating to illuminated signalling panels
GB1418032A (en) * 1972-04-20 1975-12-17 Elliott Brothers London Ltd Visual position indicators

Cited By (24)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4845481A (en) * 1986-01-08 1989-07-04 Karel Havel Continuously variable color display device
US4965561A (en) * 1986-01-08 1990-10-23 Karel Havel Continuously variable color optical device
US6281864B1 (en) 1986-01-15 2001-08-28 Texas Digital Systems, Inc. Digital display system for variable color decimal point indication
US6208322B1 (en) 1986-01-15 2001-03-27 Texas Digital Systems, Inc. Color control signal converter
US6310590B1 (en) 1986-01-15 2001-10-30 Texas Digital Systems, Inc. Method for continuously controlling color of display device
US6121767A (en) * 1986-01-15 2000-09-19 Havel; Karel Digital multimeter with variable color range indication
US6133722A (en) * 1986-01-15 2000-10-17 Texas Digital Systems, Inc. Variable color digital measuring and testing system with error memory
US6734837B1 (en) 1986-01-15 2004-05-11 Texas Digital Systems, Inc. Variable color display system for comparing exhibited value with limit
US6166710A (en) * 1986-01-15 2000-12-26 Texas Digital Systems, Inc. Variable color display system for sequentially exhibiting digital values
US6181126B1 (en) 1986-01-15 2001-01-30 Texas Digital Systems, Inc. Dual variable color measuring system
US6577287B2 (en) 1986-01-15 2003-06-10 Texas Digital Systems, Inc. Dual variable color display device
US6239776B1 (en) 1986-01-15 2001-05-29 Texas Digital Systems, Inc. Multicolor multi-element display system
US6535186B1 (en) 1986-01-15 2003-03-18 Texas Digital Systems, Inc. Multicolor display element
US6424327B2 (en) 1986-01-15 2002-07-23 Texas Digital Systems, Inc. Multicolor display element with enable input
US6121944A (en) * 1986-07-07 2000-09-19 Texas Digital Systems, Inc. Method of indicating and evaluating measured value
US6690343B2 (en) 1986-07-07 2004-02-10 Texas Digital Systems, Inc. Display device with variable color background for evaluating displayed value
US6147483A (en) * 1986-07-07 2000-11-14 Texas Digital Systems, Inc. Variable color digital voltmeter with analog comparator
EP0902411A3 (en) * 1997-09-11 2000-03-01 Eaton Corporation Display system
EP0902411A2 (en) * 1997-09-11 1999-03-17 Eaton Corporation Display system
US6414662B1 (en) 1999-10-12 2002-07-02 Texas Digital Systems, Inc. Variable color complementary display device using anti-parallel light emitting diodes
US7506996B2 (en) 2004-01-22 2009-03-24 Continental Automotive Systems Us, Inc. Illuminated display having two single-colored light sources
WO2005073617A2 (en) * 2004-01-22 2005-08-11 Siemens Vdo Automotive Corporation Illuminated display having two single-colored light sources
WO2005073617A3 (en) * 2004-01-22 2006-02-09 Siemens Vdo Automotive Corp Illuminated display having two single-colored light sources
US7015877B2 (en) 2004-06-30 2006-03-21 Litech Electronic Products Limited Multi-color segmented display

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2562697B1 (en) 1987-05-22
GB2158631B (en) 1988-04-13
DE3413133A1 (en) 1985-10-24
GB8508947D0 (en) 1985-05-09
FR2562697A1 (en) 1985-10-11

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 19930404