US3909823A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
An optical fiber variable display system utilizing a single light source
Assignee: FANTASIA PRODUCTS Inc A MA CORP
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Filing: 1974-03-26
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Granted: 1975-09-30
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Expires: 1994-03-26
Abstract
Abstract A variable display is formed of a plurality of light transmitting lenses selectively illuminated from a single light source. Optical fiber light pipes lead from the light source to each lens. A shutter for each lens provides means for allowing the illumination of selected lenses and blocking the light to other lenses so that a variable lighted display is formed against a dark background of light-blocked lenses.
Inventors
- 👤 Keith L Knowlton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 19:34
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09G; G09G3/00; G09G3/04; G09G3/16; G09G3/18; G09F; G09F9/00; G09F9/30; G09F9/305; G09F9/35
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
A variable display comprising a group of lenses facing in a common direction, a single light source, optical fiber light transmitting means adapted to concurrently illuminate each lens in said group of lenses from said single light source, a light shutter for each lens providing means for selectively illuminating or darkening each lens, so that selected light transmitting lenses form a lighted display against a dark background of light-blocked lenses, and selector means controlling the said light shutters to cause certain lenses to light and the others to remain dark to illuminate said lenses in a variety of display patterns.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
A variable display comprising a group of lenses facing in a common direction, a single light source, optical fiber light transmitting means adapted to concurrently illuminate each lens in said group of lenses from said single light source, a light shutter for each lens providing means for selectively illuminating or darkening each lens, so that selected light transmitting lenses form a lighted display against a dark background of light-blocked lenses, and selector means controlling the said light shutters to cause certain lenses to light and the others to remain dark to illuminate said lenses in a variety of display patterns.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The variable display of claim 1 wherein the light shutters are liquid crystal shutters.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The variable display of claim 2 including electrical mEans for each of said liquid crystal shutters for energizing and deenergizing each shutter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
A variable display comprising a series of lenses arranged in an orderly array, said lenses being light transmitting, a shutter for each lens to selectively allow light to pass through the lens or to prevent the light from passing therethrough, means to operate the shutters, a light pipe for each shutter and its lens, and a single source of illumination for the plurality of light pipes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
A variable display comprising a series of lenses arranged in an orderly array, said lenses being light transmitting, a shutter for each lens to selectively allow light to pass through the lens or to prevent the light from passing therethrough, means to operate the shutters, a light pipe for each shutter and its lens, and a single source of illumination for the plurality of light pipes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The variable display of claim 4 wherein the lenses are substantially auto-collimating.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The variable display of claim 4 wherein the means to operate the shutters is constructed and arranged to operate each shutter independently of the others.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The variable display of claim 4 wherein the shutter comprises liquid crystal material and electrical means connected with respect thereto under control of said shutter operating means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The variable display of claim 7 wherein said electrical means independently operates each liquid crystal shutter for each lens.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The variable display of claim 7 wherein the electrical means is controlled by the shutter operating means to selectively energize or deenergize the liquid crystal shutters.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The variable display of claim 4 wherein said shutter operating means independently controls each of said shutters to illuminate a display pattern on said series of lenses.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
The variable display of claim 10 wherein said shutter operating means additionally provides means for decoding a pattern selection signal to produce a plurality of signals to control said shutters to display a variety of displayed patterns, each pattern corresponding to the pattern selected signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
84 words
A variable symbol display comprising: a series of lenses arranged in an orderly array on said display, a light source, a bundle of light pipes providing means for illuminating said lenses from said light source, and a group of shutters including a shutter for each lens providing means for individually gating on and off the illumination from said light source to each of said lenses, and a decoding selector means controlling said shutters to selectively illuminate said lenses in a variety of display patterns.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
84 words
A variable symbol display comprising: a series of lenses arranged in an orderly array on said display, a light source, a bundle of light pipes providing means for illuminating said lenses from said light source, and a group of shutters including a shutter for each lens providing means for individually gating on and off the illumination from said light source to each of said lenses, and a decoding selector means controlling said shutters to selectively illuminate said lenses in a variety of display patterns.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
80 words
The variable display of claim 12 including a second light source, a second bundle of light pipes providing means for illuminating said lenses from said second light source, a second group of shutters including a second shutter providing means for each individually gating on and off the illumination to each of said lenses, and said decoding selector means providing additional means for controlling each of said second group of shutters to illuminate said lenses in a variety of display pattern.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The variable display of claim 13 wherein said decoding selector means provides means for illuminating selected ones of said lenses from one of said first and second light source.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The variable display of claim 13 wherein said decoding selector means provides means for illuminating selected ones of said lenses from both said first and second light source.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-29 | 1979-03-31 | 1979-09-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-29 | 1983-03-31 | 1983-09-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-29 | 1987-03-31 | 1987-09-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |