Discrete function advisory illumination

• US 4,012,632 A
• Filed: 12/18/1975
• Issued: 03/15/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: United Technologies Corporation (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Original Assignee: United Technologies Corporation (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Inventors: Stone, Franklin P.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Connor, Edna M.
• Application Number:
  US05/641,975
• Time in Patent Office: 453 Days
• Field of Search: 240/1.2, 240/2.1, 240/8.16, 240/9 R, 40/130 R, 40/130 D, 40/130 E, 40/130 N, 40/130 J, 40/130 B, 40/130 C, 40/130 F
• US Class Current: 362/23
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 11/28 Structurally-combined illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/08 using both translucent and non-translucent layers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2009/183 Provisions for enhancing the contrast between the illuminated symbol and the background or between juxtaposed symbols
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/182 Illumination of the symbols or distinguishing marks H01H9/181 takes precedence

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.

Claims

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. The display device of claim 4 further comprising:

means for continuously energizing said first color light generating means.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.