COMBINED VHF AND UHF DISPLAY SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A channel indicia display system for use in television tuners or the like of the type having first and second frequency band tuners and separate rotary control shafts to condition each of the tuners, the display comprising a stationary mask having a transparent portion, a first movable mask having a plurality of active portions and a passive portion, said first mask being operably connected to one of the shafts to be driven thereby and means illuminating said first movable mask such that the portion thereof aligned with the transparent portion of said stationary mask is visible, a second movable mask, said second movable mask operably connected to the other of the shafts to be driven thereby, a fiber optic bundle having a light input end and a light output end, said light input end being situated adjacent said second mask and said light output end being situated in alignment with said transparent portion of said stationary mask with said first movable mask interposed therebetween, means for directing light through said second movable mask to said light input end, and switch means for de-energizing said illuminating means and energizing said light directing means when said passive portion of said first movable mask is aligned with said transparent portion of said stationary mask.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A channel numeral display system for use in television tuners or the like of the type having VHF and UHF band tuners and separate rotary control shafts to condition each of the tuners includes separate VHF and UHF displays having a common display area. A stationary mask is provided having a transparent portion which constitutes the common display area. Situated behind the display area is a first movable mask having a plurality of active portions and a passive transparent portion. The first movable mask is connected to the VHF selector shaft to be driven thereby. Each of the active portions has a series of dot recesses arranged in a format representative of the numeral corresponding to a VHF channel. A means of illuminating the first movable mask in an edgewise fashion is provided such that the portion thereof aligned with the display area is visible. A second movable mask is operably connected to the selector shaft of the UHF tuner to be driven thereby. A fiber optic bundle is provided having a light input end situated adjacent the second movable mask and a light output end aligned with the display area. Means are provided for directing light through the second movable mask to the light input end of the fiber optic bundle. The first rotatable mask is interposed between the light output end of the fiber optic bundle and the display area. Switch means are provided such that the first rotatable mask is illuminated when one of the active portions thereof is aligned with the display area, but when the passive portion of the first movable mask is aligned with the display area, the second movable mask is illuminated thereby permitting the output end of the fiber optic bundle to be visible.
10 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A channel indicia display system for use in television tuners or the like of the type having first and second frequency band tuners and separate rotary control shafts to condition each of the tuners, the display comprising a stationary mask having a transparent portion, a first movable mask having a plurality of active portions and a passive portion, said first mask being operably connected to one of the shafts to be driven thereby and means illuminating said first movable mask such that the portion thereof aligned with the transparent portion of said stationary mask is visible, a second movable mask, said second movable mask operably connected to the other of the shafts to be driven thereby, a fiber optic bundle having a light input end and a light output end, said light input end being situated adjacent said second mask and said light output end being situated in alignment with said transparent portion of said stationary mask with said first movable mask interposed therebetween, means for directing light through said second movable mask to said light input end, and switch means for de-energizing said illuminating means and energizing said light directing means when said passive portion of said first movable mask is aligned with said transparent portion of said stationary mask.
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2. The display of claim 1 wherein the active portions of said first mask when illuminated simulate in appearance the light output end of said fiber optic bundle.
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3. The display of claim 2 wherein said illuminating means comprises a light source, said source being situated to direct light toward the edge of said first movable mask.
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4. The display of claim 3 wherein each of the active portions of said first rotatable mask has a plurality of dot recesses thereon arranged in a predetermined format, said recesses being situated on the rear surface of said first movable mask.
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5. The display of claim 1 wherein said illuminating means comprises a light source, said source being situated to direct light toward the edge of said first movable mask.
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6. The display of claim 5 wherein each of the active portions of said first rotatable mask has a plurality of dot recesses thereon arranged in a predetermined format, said recesses being situated on the rear surface of said first movable mask.
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7. The display of claim 1 wherein said illuminating means and said light directing means are independently operable.
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8. The display of claim 7 wherein the active portions of said first mask when illuminated simulate in appearance the light output end of said fiber optic bundle.
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9. The display of claim 8 wherein each of the active portions of said first rotatable mask has a plurality of dot recesses thereon arranged in a predetermined format, said recesses being situated on the rear surface of said first movable mask.
Specification