US4012632A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Discrete function advisory illumination
Assignee: RTX Corp
•
Filing: 1975-12-18
•
Granted: 1977-03-15
•
Expires: 1995-12-18
Abstract
Abstract Transparent or translucent indicia associated with controls mounted on a panel are constantly backlighted with light of a first color and are selectively illuminated with light of second color to accentuate the state of the controls. The second color light will usually be of greater intensity than the first color light and will "swamp out" the first color backlighting.
Inventors
- 👤 Franklin P. Stone
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 14:54
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01D; G01D11/00; G01D11/28; G09; G09F; G09F13/00; G09F13/04; G09F13/08; H; H01; H01H; H01H9/00; H01H9/18; H01H9/182; H01H2009/183
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
A display device comprising: a panel, said panel bearing a plurality of spatially displaced indicia, said panel passing light therethrough in the regions commensurate with said indicia and preventing the passage of light therethrough in other regions; means for back-lighting said panel indicia with light of a first color; and means for selectively back-lighting individual of said panel indicia with light of a second color, said second color light being of greater intensity than said first color light.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
78 words
A display device comprising: a panel, said panel bearing a plurality of spatially displaced indicia, said panel passing light therethrough in the regions commensurate with said indicia and preventing the passage of light therethrough in other regions; means for back-lighting said panel indicia with light of a first color; and means for selectively back-lighting individual of said panel indicia with light of a second color, said second color light being of greater intensity than said first color light.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The display of claim 1 wherein said means for back-lighting said panel with first color light includes: means for generating light of a first color, said first color light generating means being angularly offset with respect to the indicia on said panel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The display device of claim 2 wherein said means for illuminating said panel indicia with said second color light includes: means for generating light of a second color, said second color light generating means comprising a light source positioned in registration with each panel indicia.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The display device of claim 3 wherein the second color light generating means comprising: a plurality of lamps, said lamps being individually positioned generally in alignment with the panel indicia; and switch means for selectively energizing said lamps of said plurality.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The display device of claim 4 wherein said second color light generating means further comprises: filter means positioned between each of said lamps and said panel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
The display device of claim 5 wherein said filter means each comprise: an end cap, said end cap transmitting light of a first color toward said aligned panel indicia; and opaque side walls, said opaque side walls preventing radiation of said second color light toward regions of said panel displaced from the aligned panel indicia.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The display device of claim 4 further comprising: means for continuously energizing said first color light generating means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The display device of claim 7 wherein said means for generating light of a first color comprises: a second plurality of lamps; and filter means disposed between each of said lamps of said second plurality of said panel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The display device of claim 8 wherein said second color light generating means further comprises: filter means positioned between each of said lamps and said panel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
55 words
The display device of claim 9 wherein said filter means each comprise: an end cap, said end cap transmitting light of a first color toward said aligned panel indicia; and opaque side walls, said opaque side walls preventing radiation of said second color light toward regions of said panel displaced from the aligned panel indicia.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
55 words
The display device of claim 10 wherein said panel comprises: a sheet of transparent material; a coating of translucent material disposed on a first surface of said sheet; and a discontinuous coating of opaque material disposed on said sheet over said coating of translucent material, the discontinuities in said opaque coating defining said panel indicia.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
55 words
The display device of claim 1 wherein said panel comprises: a sheet of transparent material; a coating of translucent material disposed on a first surface of said sheet; and a discontinuous coating of opaque material disposed on said sheet over said coating of translucent material, the discontinuities in said opaque coating defining said panel indicia.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2566026A
Cited
US2637802A
Cited
US2663107A
Cited
US2602036A
Cited
US2837628A
Cited
US2827557A
Cited
US3267598A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-03-14 | 1980-09-13 | 1981-03-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-03-14 | 1984-09-13 | 1985-03-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-03-14 | 1988-09-13 | 1989-03-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |