US3829857A - Optical signalling - Google Patents

Optical signalling Download PDF

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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
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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
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English (en)
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
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Filing date
Publication date
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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)
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 (enExample)
JP (1) JPS5444538U (enExample)
DE (1) DE2126672A1 (enExample)
GB (1) GB1344262A (enExample)

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
US4504830A (en) * 1982-02-16 1985-03-12 Honeywell Information Systems Inc. Display apparatus for facilitating maintenance of computer equipment
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
FR2653214A1 (fr) * 1989-10-16 1991-04-19 Bosch Siemens Hausgeraete Appareil frigorifique, notamment refrigerateur ou congelateur menagers.
EP0539615A1 (en) * 1991-10-29 1993-05-05 Daito Sangyo Co., Ltd. Road display apparatus and light source for said road display apparatus
ES2150362A1 (es) * 1998-06-10 2000-11-16 Enclavamientos Y Senalizacion Señal de fibra optica con caracteres alfanumericos.
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 (de) * 1974-08-05 1982-04-15 Schott Glaswerke, 6500 Mainz Signalanzeigevorrichtung zur Ausstrahlung von Lichtzeichen
DE2613912C2 (de) * 1976-03-31 1983-06-30 Siemens AG, 1000 Berlin und 8000 München Lichtsignalgeber, insbesondere zur Verwendung im Straßenverkehr
DE2616298C2 (de) * 1976-04-13 1982-05-27 Siemens AG, 1000 Berlin und 8000 München Anordnung zur gerichteten Abstrahlung von Licht bei Zeichenanzeigeeinrichtungen
DE2633552C2 (de) * 1976-07-26 1983-11-10 Siemens AG, 1000 Berlin und 8000 München Lichtsignalgeber, insbesondere zur Verwendung im Straßenverkehr
DE2651972C2 (de) * 1976-11-15 1982-10-28 Siemens AG, 1000 Berlin und 8000 München Faseroptischer Digitalanzeiger
DE2700171C2 (de) * 1977-01-04 1983-10-06 Siemens Ag, 1000 Berlin Und 8000 Muenchen Faseroptischer Digitalanzeiger
DE2810209C2 (de) * 1978-03-09 1986-01-16 Schott Glaswerke, 6500 Mainz Filterkombination zur Verwendung in einem faseroptischen Lichtleitsystem
DE3148421A1 (de) * 1981-12-08 1983-07-21 Blaupunkt-Werke Gmbh, 3200 Hildesheim Anzeigeeinheit
DE3434355A1 (de) * 1984-09-19 1986-06-12 Nauschütt, Jürgen, 3000 Hannover Leuchtanzeigetafel, gebildet aus einer vielzahl von leuchtelementen, die aus den enden von lichtleitern bestehen
JPS6268936U (enExample) * 1985-10-21 1987-04-30
DE3822105A1 (de) * 1988-06-30 1990-01-11 Schoelly Fiberoptic Gmbh Wechselzeichen
AT405212B (de) * 1997-01-15 1999-06-25 Photonic Optische Geraete Gmbh Optisches element

Citations (11)

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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

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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 (17)

* 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
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
US20040222809A1 (en) * 1988-05-16 2004-11-11 Glenn Leedy System for probing, testing, burn-in, repairing and programming of integrated circuits
US6891387B2 (en) 1988-05-16 2005-05-10 Elm Technology Corporation 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
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
FR2653214A1 (fr) * 1989-10-16 1991-04-19 Bosch Siemens Hausgeraete Appareil frigorifique, notamment refrigerateur ou congelateur menagers.
EP0539615A1 (en) * 1991-10-29 1993-05-05 Daito Sangyo Co., Ltd. Road display apparatus and light source for said road display apparatus
ES2150362A1 (es) * 1998-06-10 2000-11-16 Enclavamientos Y Senalizacion Señal de fibra optica con caracteres alfanumericos.
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 (de) 1971-12-09
GB1344262A (en) 1974-01-16
JPS5444538U (enExample) 1979-03-27

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