US3829857A - Optical signalling - Google Patents

Optical signalling Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3829857A
US3829857A US00148852A US14885271A US3829857A US 3829857 A US3829857 A US 3829857A US 00148852 A US00148852 A US 00148852A US 14885271 A US14885271 A US 14885271A US 3829857 A US3829857 A US 3829857A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
light
optical
input
fibres
rod
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00148852A
Inventor
A Atkinson
W Allan
J Rattle
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.)
Rank Organization Ltd
Original Assignee
Rank Organization Ltd
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 Rank Organization Ltd filed Critical Rank Organization Ltd
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3829857A publication Critical patent/US3829857A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/26—Optical coupling means
    • G02B6/32—Optical coupling means having lens focusing means positioned between opposed fibre ends
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/26—Optical coupling means
    • G02B6/28—Optical coupling means having data bus means, i.e. plural waveguides interconnected and providing an inherently bidirectional system by mixing and splitting signals
    • G02B6/2804—Optical coupling means having data bus means, i.e. plural waveguides interconnected and providing an inherently bidirectional system by mixing and splitting signals forming multipart couplers without wavelength selective elements, e.g. "T" couplers, star couplers
    • G02B6/2808—Optical coupling means having data bus means, i.e. plural waveguides interconnected and providing an inherently bidirectional system by mixing and splitting signals forming multipart couplers without wavelength selective elements, e.g. "T" couplers, star couplers using a mixing element which evenly distributes an input signal over a number of outputs
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/42—Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements
    • G02B6/4298—Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements coupling with non-coherent light sources and/or radiation detectors, e.g. lamps, incandescent bulbs, scintillation chambers
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B5/00—Visible signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems, remote indication of seats occupied
    • G08B5/22—Visible signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems, remote indication of seats occupied using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission
    • G08B5/36—Visible signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems, remote indication of seats occupied using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission using visible light sources
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
    • G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
    • G08G1/09—Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions
    • G08G1/095—Traffic lights
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F9/00—Indicating arrangements for variable information in which the information is built-up on a support by selection or combination of individual elements
    • G09F9/30—Indicating arrangements for variable information in which the information is built-up on a support by selection or combination of individual elements in which the desired character or characters are formed by combining individual elements
    • G09F9/305—Indicating arrangements for variable information in which the information is built-up on a support by selection or combination of individual elements in which the desired character or characters are formed by combining individual elements being the ends of optical fibres

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT Visual display devices containing a matrix of areas which can be selectively illuminated to display a predetermined legend or symbol. In place of individual lamps used hitherto, the proposed visual display devices utilise bundles of optical fibres coupled to a reduced number of light sources, thus simplifying the assocated control circuitry.
  • a rectangular display area is defined by a matrix of usually l39 electric light bulbs and to provide a display such as numerals for speed limits, direction arrows, warning words etc. selected bulbs are illuminated.
  • These devices are adapted to display any one of 13 meaningful signs and this is done by routing l3 electrical conductor wires and a return wire to the device.
  • the appropriatemeaningful sign is displayed as the signal is routed through a matrix of diodes which switch on the light bulbs which make up the sign.
  • Each bulb is contained at one end of a cylindrical housing with a part parabolic mirror behind the bulb. The other end of the housing is placed against a transparent pin spot screen which also encloses the openings of all the other light bulb housings forming the front of the matrix.
  • An object of this invention is to provide a visual display device, particularly but not exclusively for motorways which at least in its preferred form, obviates or mitigates the abovementioned disadvantages.
  • a visual display device comprising a display area made up of a matrix of regions, a plurality of bundles of optical fibres with each bundle having the individual ends of the fibres grouped together at oneend of the bundle to define an input and the other individual fibre ends splayed apart and connected to regions of the display area which make up a meaningful sign, so that illumination of any input results in the display of a meaningful sign. and each of said regions being defined by an optical cell which provides a collimated beam of light upon the illumination of any of said inputs having an optical fibre leading to such cell.
  • each electric light bulb is preferably a tungsten halogen bulb with a reflector assembly.
  • Each of said regions is preferably constituted by an optical unit including a length of clad optical rod against one end of which butts the end of the optical fibre or ends of the optical fibres terminating at the region, and a converging lens positioned on the axis of the rod so that light issuing from the rod is eventually directed into a beam with a divergent angle of approximately 5.
  • the optical fibres therefore disperse the light from a single source and produce a meaningful sign thereby.
  • the optical rod of the optical unit of each regions acts as a light integrating chambers to channel the light from any of the optical fibres leading thereto onto the same axis as the lens. This is a distinct advantage because off-axis fibres would cause projection of the light beam from the lens in an off axis direction with a divergent half angle of approximately 5.
  • a display device according to a preferred feature of the invention and adapted for UK. motorways requires only 13 bulbs as compared with 139 bulbs in the known device. If, as preferred, tungsten halogen bulbs are used, the power rating of each is watts, which is much higher than the wattage of each of the bulbs in the conventional display device. However, in the conventional device the sign with the maximum number of bulbs lit at any one time, requires 49 bulbs to be illuminated and this would require a power of 140 watts, so the device of the invention can present a saving in power.
  • the device is preferably in two parts, one part comprising the optical fibres and display area (which would be almost maintenance free) and the other part comprising the. illumination means and associated circuitry, which could be replaced in its entirety if a fault developed, would require a power of approximately watts.
  • the device of the invention provides the additional advantage that the controller can learn quickly if one of the bulbs fails, because then no current will be drawn when the controller sets that bulb for illumination, and corrective action can be taken immediately.
  • each sign requires the illumination of only one bulb, it is easy to provide for the display of any of the meaningful signs in any colour, by positioning the appropriate colour filter between the bulb and the associated input.
  • a position adjustable member which carries several different coloured filters, the member being adjustable to position any one of said filters between the source and input so that the colour of the sign displayed can be readily adjustable.
  • FIG. 1 is a sectional elevation of a display device according to the invention, parts being omitted for clarity;
  • FIG. 2 is a sectional elevation to an enlarged scale, of one of the optical units shown in FIG. 1.
  • the display device is for motorway use and includes a box, 1, preferably made of lightweight moulded plastic of which the front face 2 is defined by a diffusing screen formed from pin-spot or stippled glass or clear plastic. In an alternative arrangement, a screen of vertical, cylindrical reeded plastic may be used.
  • These reflectors 3A, 4A focus the light from the bulbs on to the common ends of mu]- ti-tail fibre optic light guides 7 and 8, and the splayed fibres route the light to various optical units, and,6, of which only two of the 139 are shown for clarity.
  • the optical unit consists of a cylindrical housing 10, made of light metal or plastic and containing at one end a converging lens 12 which can be an aspheric type made from glass or preferably moulded clear plastic. At the other end is a short tube containing a length of fibre optic clad rod 9 which butts on to the end or ends of fibre optic light guides 11 and 13. The front face of the clad rod 9 is placed just at the focal point of the converging lens 12 to provide a collimated beam which is then slightly diverged by the diffusing screen 2 to the required amount according to the specification.
  • the said front face of rod 9 further has a thin slice of image conduit 15 or face plate (shown exaggerated in size for clarity) applied thereto by the transparent adhesive Crystic, which is a transparent polyester resin manufactured by Scott-Bader.
  • the plate 15 is of slightly larger diameter than rod 9 and is approximately 2 m.m. thick.
  • the function of the plate 15 is to flatten out the polar diagram of the light intensity issuing from the optical cell thereby improving the cosmetic appearance of the display device as a whole when it is operative.
  • the 139 optical units are then held in position by a metal or plastic matrix, not shown.
  • an optical unit e.g., 5 can be shared by several legends, e.g., bulbs 3 and 4, simply by routing the appropriate light guides, 11 and 13 respectively, to the clad rod face 9.
  • rod 9 off axis cones of light emanating from the offaxis light guides are integrated into an on axis cone of light which is collimated by the lens as shown by the ray diagram in FIG. 2.
  • a visual display device of the type comprising a display area made up of a matrix of regions, a plurality of bundles of optical fibres with one end of each of a plurality of individual fibres grouped together at one end of the bundle to define an input and the other ends of said individual fibres separately connected to different regions of the display area so that illumination of differing inputs results in the display of differing meaningful signs, a light source for each input, and means for selectively activating the said light sources, the improvement according to which each of the said regions of the display area is defined by an optical cell comprising a length of clad optical rod against one end of which butts the end of at least one optical fibre terminating at the corresponding region, with a plurality of optical fibres butting said one end of at least some of said rods, and a converging lens positioned on the rod axis to collect light issuing from the other end of said rod and to form said light into a collimated beam, and said display device also comprises a light diffusing screen covering said optical cells and
  • a device comprising an illumination means in the form of an electric light bulb for each input, said device being made in two separable parts, one part comprising the optical fibres, cells and screen and the other part comprising the illumination means and associated circuitry.
  • each optical cell has a thin slice of image conduit at the end of the rod from which light issues in order to flatten the polar diagram of the collimated beam issuing from the lens.
  • a visual display device including a multi-coloured light filter associated with each input of each bundle of fibres, said light filter being capable of position adjustment relative to the input so as to change the colour of the light transmitted through said bundle.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Illuminated Signs And Luminous Advertising (AREA)
  • Road Signs Or Road Markings (AREA)

Abstract

Visual display devices containing a matrix of areas which can be selectively illuminated to display a predetermined legend or symbol. In place of individual lamps used hitherto, the proposed visual display devices utilise bundles of optical fibres coupled to a reduced number of light sources, thus simplifying the assocated control circuitry.

Description

United States Patent [191 Allan et al.
[111 3,829,857 [451 Aug. 13,1974
[ OPTICAL SIGNALLING [75] Inventors: William Bell Allan, Leeds; Jeffrey Douglas Rattle, Basingstoke; Arthur Gordon Atkinson, Addingham near llkley, all of England [73] Assignee: The Rank Organisation Limited,
London, England [22] Filed: June 1, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 148,852
[30] Foreign Application Priority Data June 1, 1970 Great Britain 26342/70 [52] US. Cl. 340/380 [51] Int. Cl. H041 23/00 [58] Field of Search 340/380; 350/96 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,253,274 5/1966 Berman 340/380 R X 3,406,252 10/1968 Thomas 340/380 R 3,420,949 1/1969 McNaney 340/380 X 3,506,836 4/1970 Rueger 340/380 R X 3,518,666 6/1970 Heggestad 340/380 R 3,532,873 10/1970 Batson 340/380 X 3,562,746 2/1971 Aron 340/380 R 3,569,933 3/1971 Longnecker.... 340/380 X 3,573,813 4/1971 Burns 340/380 R 3,576,563 4/1971 Scott 340/380 R 3,610,755 10/1971 Eschelbronn 350/96 R Primary Examiner-Harold l. Pitts Attorney, Agent, or FirmBrisebois & Kruger [57] ABSTRACT Visual display devices containing a matrix of areas which can be selectively illuminated to display a predetermined legend or symbol. In place of individual lamps used hitherto, the proposed visual display devices utilise bundles of optical fibres coupled to a reduced number of light sources, thus simplifying the assocated control circuitry.
4 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures PATENTEBMI: 1a 1974 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a visual display device for use in conveying information to the occupants of moving transport. The main application of the invention is for use in displaying information to drivers and passengers of motor vehicles travelling on motorways.
In known U.K. motorway visual display devices, a rectangular display area is defined by a matrix of usually l39 electric light bulbs and to provide a display such as numerals for speed limits, direction arrows, warning words etc. selected bulbs are illuminated. These devices are adapted to display any one of 13 meaningful signs and this is done by routing l3 electrical conductor wires and a return wire to the device. By transmitting a signal down the appropriate wire, the appropriatemeaningful sign is displayed as the signal is routed through a matrix of diodes which switch on the light bulbs which make up the sign. Each bulb is contained at one end of a cylindrical housing with a part parabolic mirror behind the bulb. The other end of the housing is placed against a transparent pin spot screen which also encloses the openings of all the other light bulb housings forming the front of the matrix.
As will be appreciated, the electrical wiring and switching system of a known display device as described above is complicated and therefore expensive. It has another disadvantage in that it does not indicate to the controllers desk, which bulbs are not functioning; it would be possible to monitor each bulb individually, but the increase in cost and complexities of the device would make this impractical. A further disadvantage of the known arrangement is that the mirrors behind the bulbs tend to cause ghost images.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of this invention is to provide a visual display device, particularly but not exclusively for motorways which at least in its preferred form, obviates or mitigates the abovementioned disadvantages.
According to the present invention there is provided a visual display device comprising a display area made up of a matrix of regions, a plurality of bundles of optical fibres with each bundle having the individual ends of the fibres grouped together at oneend of the bundle to define an input and the other individual fibre ends splayed apart and connected to regions of the display area which make up a meaningful sign, so that illumination of any input results in the display of a meaningful sign. and each of said regions being defined by an optical cell which provides a collimated beam of light upon the illumination of any of said inputs having an optical fibre leading to such cell.
Preferably, there is an illumination means comprising an electric light bulb for each input. Each electric light bulb is preferably a tungsten halogen bulb with a reflector assembly.
Each of said regions is preferably constituted by an optical unit including a length of clad optical rod against one end of which butts the end of the optical fibre or ends of the optical fibres terminating at the region, and a converging lens positioned on the axis of the rod so that light issuing from the rod is eventually directed into a beam with a divergent angle of approximately 5.
Upon illumination of an input therefore, the regions connected optically to the splayed ends of the individual fibres are illuminated and the appropriate meaningful sign is displayed.
The optical fibres therefore disperse the light from a single source and produce a meaningful sign thereby.
It will be appreciated that various regions may be common to two or more meaningful signs and because of this such regions will be illuminated if either or any one of such meaningful signs is displayed. In this connection the optical rod of the optical unit of each regions acts as a light integrating chambers to channel the light from any of the optical fibres leading thereto onto the same axis as the lens. This is a distinct advantage because off-axis fibres would cause projection of the light beam from the lens in an off axis direction with a divergent half angle of approximately 5.
A display device according to a preferred feature of the invention and adapted for UK. motorways requires only 13 bulbs as compared with 139 bulbs in the known device. If, as preferred, tungsten halogen bulbs are used, the power rating of each is watts, which is much higher than the wattage of each of the bulbs in the conventional display device. However, in the conventional device the sign with the maximum number of bulbs lit at any one time, requires 49 bulbs to be illuminated and this would require a power of 140 watts, so the device of the invention can present a saving in power.
Moreover, much of the complicated electrical circuitry can be removed because in actual fact the switching is replaced by the optical fibres. It is estimated that in the known device 500 diodes are required in the switching circuit, all of which are eliminated by the present invention.
The device is preferably in two parts, one part comprising the optical fibres and display area (which would be almost maintenance free) and the other part comprising the. illumination means and associated circuitry, which could be replaced in its entirety if a fault developed, would require a power of approximately watts.
The device of the invention provides the additional advantage that the controller can learn quickly if one of the bulbs fails, because then no current will be drawn when the controller sets that bulb for illumination, and corrective action can be taken immediately.
Because each sign requires the illumination of only one bulb, it is easy to provide for the display of any of the meaningful signs in any colour, by positioning the appropriate colour filter between the bulb and the associated input. Between each input and its bulb there may be a position adjustable member which carries several different coloured filters, the member being adjustable to position any one of said filters between the source and input so that the colour of the sign displayed can be readily adjustable.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a sectional elevation of a display device according to the invention, parts being omitted for clarity; and
FIG. 2 is a sectional elevation to an enlarged scale, of one of the optical units shown in FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1 the display device is for motorway use and includes a box, 1, preferably made of lightweight moulded plastic of which the front face 2 is defined by a diffusing screen formed from pin-spot or stippled glass or clear plastic. In an alternative arrangement, a screen of vertical, cylindrical reeded plastic may be used. The light sources, 3 and 4, of which only two of the 13 are shown for clarity, consist of 24 volt 70 watt tungsten halogen bulbs mounted in front of dichroic reflectors 3A, 4A. These reflectors 3A, 4A focus the light from the bulbs on to the common ends of mu]- ti-tail fibre optic light guides 7 and 8, and the splayed fibres route the light to various optical units, and,6, of which only two of the 139 are shown for clarity.
Referring to FIG. 2, the optical unit consists of a cylindrical housing 10, made of light metal or plastic and containing at one end a converging lens 12 which can be an aspheric type made from glass or preferably moulded clear plastic. At the other end is a short tube containing a length of fibre optic clad rod 9 which butts on to the end or ends of fibre optic light guides 11 and 13. The front face of the clad rod 9 is placed just at the focal point of the converging lens 12 to provide a collimated beam which is then slightly diverged by the diffusing screen 2 to the required amount according to the specification. The said front face of rod 9 further has a thin slice of image conduit 15 or face plate (shown exaggerated in size for clarity) applied thereto by the transparent adhesive Crystic, which is a transparent polyester resin manufactured by Scott-Bader. The plate 15 is of slightly larger diameter than rod 9 and is approximately 2 m.m. thick. The function of the plate 15 is to flatten out the polar diagram of the light intensity issuing from the optical cell thereby improving the cosmetic appearance of the display device as a whole when it is operative. The 139 optical units are then held in position by a metal or plastic matrix, not shown.
It should be noted from FIG. 1 that an optical unit, e.g., 5 can be shared by several legends, e.g., bulbs 3 and 4, simply by routing the appropriate light guides, 11 and 13 respectively, to the clad rod face 9. By means of rod 9 off axis cones of light emanating from the offaxis light guides are integrated into an on axis cone of light which is collimated by the lens as shown by the ray diagram in FIG. 2.
We claim:
1. In a visual display device of the type comprising a display area made up of a matrix of regions, a plurality of bundles of optical fibres with one end of each of a plurality of individual fibres grouped together at one end of the bundle to define an input and the other ends of said individual fibres separately connected to different regions of the display area so that illumination of differing inputs results in the display of differing meaningful signs, a light source for each input, and means for selectively activating the said light sources, the improvement according to which each of the said regions of the display area is defined by an optical cell comprising a length of clad optical rod against one end of which butts the end of at least one optical fibre terminating at the corresponding region, with a plurality of optical fibres butting said one end of at least some of said rods, and a converging lens positioned on the rod axis to collect light issuing from the other end of said rod and to form said light into a collimated beam, and said display device also comprises a light diffusing screen covering said optical cells and operative to diverge the collimated beams into beams with a small angle of divergence, whereby to render the whole of any displayed meaningful sign visible from a substantial distance within a relatively narrow angle of view.
2. A device according to claim 1, comprising an illumination means in the form of an electric light bulb for each input, said device being made in two separable parts, one part comprising the optical fibres, cells and screen and the other part comprising the illumination means and associated circuitry.
3. A device according to claim 1, wherein each optical cell has a thin slice of image conduit at the end of the rod from which light issues in order to flatten the polar diagram of the collimated beam issuing from the lens.
4. A visual display device according to claim 1, including a multi-coloured light filter associated with each input of each bundle of fibres, said light filter being capable of position adjustment relative to the input so as to change the colour of the light transmitted through said bundle.

Claims (4)

1. In a visual display device of the type comprising a display area made up of a matrix of regions, a plurality of bundles of optical fibres with one end of each of a plurality of individual fibres grouped together at one end of the bundle to define an input and the other ends of said individual fibres separately connected to different regions of the display area so that illumination of differing inputs results in the display of differing meaningful signs, a light source for each input, and means for selectively activating the said light sources, the improvement according to which each of the said regions of the display area is defined by an optical cell comprising a length of clad optical rod against one end of which butts the end of at least one optical fibre terminating at the corresponding region, with a plurality of optical fibres butting said one end of at least some of said rods, and a converging lens positioned on the rod axis to collect light issuing from the other end of said rod and to form said light into a collimated beam, and said display device also comprises a light diffusing screen covering said optical cells and operative to diverge the collimated beams into beams with a small angle of divergence, whereby to render the whole of any displayed meaningful sign visible from a substantial distance within a relatively narrow angle of view.
2. A device according to claim 1, comprising an illumination means in the form of an electric light bulb for each input, said device being made in two separable parts, one part comprising the optical fibres, cells and Screen and the other part comprising the illumination means and associated circuitry.
3. A device according to claim 1, wherein each optical cell has a thin slice of image conduit at the end of the rod from which light issues in order to flatten the polar diagram of the collimated beam issuing from the lens.
4. A visual display device according to claim 1, including a multi-coloured light filter associated with each input of each bundle of fibres, said light filter being capable of position adjustment relative to the input so as to change the colour of the light transmitted through said bundle.
US00148852A 1970-06-01 1971-06-01 Optical signalling Expired - Lifetime US3829857A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB2634270 1970-06-01

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3829857A true US3829857A (en) 1974-08-13

Family

ID=10242164

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00148852A Expired - Lifetime US3829857A (en) 1970-06-01 1971-06-01 Optical signalling

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US3829857A (en)
JP (1) JPS5444538U (en)
DE (1) DE2126672A1 (en)
GB (1) GB1344262A (en)

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1980000106A1 (en) * 1978-06-19 1980-01-24 Izon Corp Segmented image reconstruction employing distributed optics
EP0106680A2 (en) * 1982-10-15 1984-04-25 The Babcock & Wilcox Company Panel indicators
US4504830A (en) * 1982-02-16 1985-03-12 Honeywell Information Systems Inc. Display apparatus for facilitating maintenance of computer equipment
WO1986007177A1 (en) * 1985-05-30 1986-12-04 Peter Ralph Butts Fibre optics lighting system
FR2653214A1 (en) * 1989-10-16 1991-04-19 Bosch Siemens Hausgeraete Refrigerating appliance, particularly household refrigerator or household deep freeze
EP0539615A1 (en) * 1991-10-29 1993-05-05 Daito Sangyo Co., Ltd. Road display apparatus and light source for said road display apparatus
ES2150362A1 (en) * 1998-06-10 2000-11-16 Enclavamientos Y Senalizacion Alphanumeric characters based optical fibre signal for railway, employs a pictogram made as holes in a plane sheet, giving five different signal configurations
US20020005729A1 (en) * 1988-05-16 2002-01-17 Elm Technology Corporation. Method and system for probing, testing, burn-in, repairing and programming of integrated circuits in a closed environment using a single apparatus
US20060061981A1 (en) * 2002-05-03 2006-03-23 Projectiondesign As Multi-lamp arrangement for optical systems
US20140333514A1 (en) * 2011-02-16 2014-11-13 Dupont Lightstone Light system for building structures

Families Citing this family (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2437580C2 (en) * 1974-08-05 1982-04-15 Schott Glaswerke, 6500 Mainz Signal display device for the emission of light signals
DE2613912C2 (en) * 1976-03-31 1983-06-30 Siemens AG, 1000 Berlin und 8000 München Light signal transmitters, in particular for use in road traffic
DE2616298C2 (en) * 1976-04-13 1982-05-27 Siemens AG, 1000 Berlin und 8000 München Arrangement for the directed emission of light in character display devices
DE2633552C2 (en) * 1976-07-26 1983-11-10 Siemens AG, 1000 Berlin und 8000 München Light signal transmitters, in particular for use in road traffic
DE2651972C2 (en) * 1976-11-15 1982-10-28 Siemens AG, 1000 Berlin und 8000 München Fiber optic digital indicator
DE2700171C2 (en) * 1977-01-04 1983-10-06 Siemens Ag, 1000 Berlin Und 8000 Muenchen Fiber optic digital indicator
DE2810209C2 (en) * 1978-03-09 1986-01-16 Schott Glaswerke, 6500 Mainz Filter combination for use in a fiber optic light guide system
DE3148421A1 (en) * 1981-12-08 1983-07-21 Blaupunkt-Werke Gmbh, 3200 Hildesheim Display unit
DE3434355A1 (en) * 1984-09-19 1986-06-12 Nauschütt, Jürgen, 3000 Hannover Light-emitting display panel, formed from a multiplicity of light-emitting elements, which comprise the ends of light guides
JPS6268936U (en) * 1985-10-21 1987-04-30
DE3822105A1 (en) * 1988-06-30 1990-01-11 Schoelly Fiberoptic Gmbh ALTERNATIVE CHARACTER
AT405212B (en) * 1997-01-15 1999-06-25 Photonic Optische Geraete Gmbh OPTICAL ELEMENT

Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3253274A (en) * 1963-12-30 1966-05-24 Berman Nelson Character display device
US3406252A (en) * 1965-02-11 1968-10-15 Conductron Corp Fiber optic output transformation for multiple electron discharge devices
US3420949A (en) * 1968-02-21 1969-01-07 Joseph T Mcnaney Light guide message character display apparatus
US3506836A (en) * 1966-08-23 1970-04-14 Amp Inc Optical programmer with optic fiber means for indicating operating intelligence for equipment controlling means
US3518666A (en) * 1968-06-26 1970-06-30 Puleo Electronics Inc Mimic diagram panel for railways having light piping
US3532873A (en) * 1967-10-27 1970-10-06 Ford Motor Co Apparatus for monitoring light source operation
US3562746A (en) * 1968-12-12 1971-02-09 Mitchell Aron Character display device employing optical laminas of light piping elements
US3569933A (en) * 1969-07-29 1971-03-09 Amp Inc Signalling system with indicating means
US3573813A (en) * 1968-10-25 1971-04-06 Tektronix Inc Light image display apparatus including selectively illuminated light piping elements
US3576563A (en) * 1968-05-20 1971-04-27 Railroad Accessories Corp Railroad signal having light piping from source mounted an exterior of reflector cone
US3610755A (en) * 1968-02-15 1971-10-05 Eltro Gmbh Optical sighting and/or observation set combined with a laser telemetry unit

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2589569A (en) * 1948-08-04 1952-03-18 Westinghouse Brake & Signal Optical system for use in light signals, indicators, and the like

Patent Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3253274A (en) * 1963-12-30 1966-05-24 Berman Nelson Character display device
US3406252A (en) * 1965-02-11 1968-10-15 Conductron Corp Fiber optic output transformation for multiple electron discharge devices
US3506836A (en) * 1966-08-23 1970-04-14 Amp Inc Optical programmer with optic fiber means for indicating operating intelligence for equipment controlling means
US3532873A (en) * 1967-10-27 1970-10-06 Ford Motor Co Apparatus for monitoring light source operation
US3610755A (en) * 1968-02-15 1971-10-05 Eltro Gmbh Optical sighting and/or observation set combined with a laser telemetry unit
US3420949A (en) * 1968-02-21 1969-01-07 Joseph T Mcnaney Light guide message character display apparatus
US3576563A (en) * 1968-05-20 1971-04-27 Railroad Accessories Corp Railroad signal having light piping from source mounted an exterior of reflector cone
US3518666A (en) * 1968-06-26 1970-06-30 Puleo Electronics Inc Mimic diagram panel for railways having light piping
US3573813A (en) * 1968-10-25 1971-04-06 Tektronix Inc Light image display apparatus including selectively illuminated light piping elements
US3562746A (en) * 1968-12-12 1971-02-09 Mitchell Aron Character display device employing optical laminas of light piping elements
US3569933A (en) * 1969-07-29 1971-03-09 Amp Inc Signalling system with indicating means

Cited By (18)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1980000106A1 (en) * 1978-06-19 1980-01-24 Izon Corp Segmented image reconstruction employing distributed optics
US4504830A (en) * 1982-02-16 1985-03-12 Honeywell Information Systems Inc. Display apparatus for facilitating maintenance of computer equipment
EP0106680A2 (en) * 1982-10-15 1984-04-25 The Babcock & Wilcox Company Panel indicators
EP0106680A3 (en) * 1982-10-15 1985-12-18 The Babcock & Wilcox Company Panel indicators
WO1986007177A1 (en) * 1985-05-30 1986-12-04 Peter Ralph Butts Fibre optics lighting system
US20020005729A1 (en) * 1988-05-16 2002-01-17 Elm Technology Corporation. Method and system for probing, testing, burn-in, repairing and programming of integrated circuits in a closed environment using a single apparatus
US20030151421A1 (en) * 1988-05-16 2003-08-14 Leedy Glenn J. Method and apparatus for probing, testing, burn-in, repairing and programming of integrated circuits in a closed environment using a single apparatus
US20040222809A1 (en) * 1988-05-16 2004-11-11 Glenn Leedy System for probing, testing, burn-in, repairing and programming of integrated circuits
US6838896B2 (en) 1988-05-16 2005-01-04 Elm Technology Corporation Method and system for probing, testing, burn-in, repairing and programming of integrated circuits in a closed environment using a single apparatus
US6891387B2 (en) 1988-05-16 2005-05-10 Elm Technology Corporation System for probing, testing, burn-in, repairing and programming of integrated circuits
FR2653214A1 (en) * 1989-10-16 1991-04-19 Bosch Siemens Hausgeraete Refrigerating appliance, particularly household refrigerator or household deep freeze
EP0539615A1 (en) * 1991-10-29 1993-05-05 Daito Sangyo Co., Ltd. Road display apparatus and light source for said road display apparatus
ES2150362A1 (en) * 1998-06-10 2000-11-16 Enclavamientos Y Senalizacion Alphanumeric characters based optical fibre signal for railway, employs a pictogram made as holes in a plane sheet, giving five different signal configurations
US20060061981A1 (en) * 2002-05-03 2006-03-23 Projectiondesign As Multi-lamp arrangement for optical systems
US7284889B2 (en) * 2002-05-03 2007-10-23 Projectiondesign As Multi-lamp arrangement for optical systems
USRE43959E1 (en) * 2002-05-03 2013-02-05 Projectiondesign As Multi-lamp arrangement for optical systems
US20140333514A1 (en) * 2011-02-16 2014-11-13 Dupont Lightstone Light system for building structures
US9612007B2 (en) * 2011-02-16 2017-04-04 Dupont Lightstone Light system for building structures

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE2126672A1 (en) 1971-12-09
JPS5444538U (en) 1979-03-27
GB1344262A (en) 1974-01-16

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3829857A (en) Optical signalling
JP4433335B2 (en) Method and apparatus for controlling light
US4965488A (en) Light-source multiplication device
US9400386B2 (en) Head-up display having an image-generating device for generating an image and optical system for projecting the image
JP7064375B2 (en) Lighting device that projects and displays images
US4747648A (en) Optical fiber display and optical train for same
US4776666A (en) Projector for projecting fixed star
KR890017486A (en) Lighting system
US4193666A (en) Display collimator system including a standby reticle arrangement
GB2073930A (en) Light transmission systems
GB2051447A (en) Optical display apparatus
EP0519541A2 (en) Image source for vehicle head-up display
US3715822A (en) Display system
CN109946910A (en) Vehicle-mounted optical projection system
US6007226A (en) Fiber optic light
US3293983A (en) Non-stereo depth perception projection display device
CN109469881A (en) Photo-patterning device, car light and motor vehicles including the photo-patterning device
JPH11231810A (en) Optical fibor device for illuminating light transmitting information carrying medium of traffic, information and advertisement mark
US3680948A (en) Mode annunciation display means for aircraft instrument panels
US3286585A (en) Rear projection symbol presentation
GB1584573A (en) System for projecting images
US3608999A (en) Monitoring and indication system utilizing fiber optics
US2800054A (en) Projection device with directional lens
US2114232A (en) Searchlight
US12007091B2 (en) Road surface drawing apparatus