Transparent electronic illuminated display
First Claim
1. A transparent illuminated display device suitable for mounting in windows and other locations which comprises:
- a) a base portion having a bottom surface, a top portion, and a hollow interior portion;
b) a light source support having a plurality of light sources disposed thereon;
c) a substantially-planar fiberoptic guide having a plurality of holes disposed through its surface;
d) a substantially-planar, transparent display array having a plurality of holes disposed through its surface, said substantially-planar display array being attached to said base portion at the top portion of said base portion, such that said substantially planar display array is disposed at an angle of between 30 and 85 degrees with respect to the horizontal when said base portion of said transparent illuminated display is disposed on a horizontal surface; and
e) a plurality of fiberoptic strands, wherein each fiberoptic strand has a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein the first end portion of the fiberoptic strands are disposed in sufficient proximity to one of said light sources disposed on said light source support to enable light emitted from the light source to enter the fiberoptic strands, and wherein said second end portion of each of said fiberoptic strands is disposed within one of the holes in said display array, said fiberoptic strands passing through one of said holes disposed through said fiberoptic guide.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides an illuminated electronic display which in one preferred form employs LED'"'"'s to form characters in a message that is desired to be displayed to an intended viewer. A display of the invention is translucent, and is thus suitable for placement in locations which precluded locating illuminated electronic displays of the prior art in those same locations by virtue of the opaqueness of the displays of the prior art. A display means according to the invention may be placed in the rear window of an automobile, without adversely impacting the drivability of the vehicle owing to the translucency of the display. Other window locations are suitable for employment of a device according to the invention as well.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A transparent illuminated display device suitable for mounting in windows and other locations which comprises:
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a) a base portion having a bottom surface, a top portion, and a hollow interior portion; b) a light source support having a plurality of light sources disposed thereon; c) a substantially-planar fiberoptic guide having a plurality of holes disposed through its surface; d) a substantially-planar, transparent display array having a plurality of holes disposed through its surface, said substantially-planar display array being attached to said base portion at the top portion of said base portion, such that said substantially planar display array is disposed at an angle of between 30 and 85 degrees with respect to the horizontal when said base portion of said transparent illuminated display is disposed on a horizontal surface; and e) a plurality of fiberoptic strands, wherein each fiberoptic strand has a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein the first end portion of the fiberoptic strands are disposed in sufficient proximity to one of said light sources disposed on said light source support to enable light emitted from the light source to enter the fiberoptic strands, and wherein said second end portion of each of said fiberoptic strands is disposed within one of the holes in said display array, said fiberoptic strands passing through one of said holes disposed through said fiberoptic guide. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A transparent illuminated display device suitable for mounting in windows and other locations which comprises:
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a) a base portion having a bottom surface, a top portion, and a hollow interior portion; b) a light source support having a plurality of light sources disposed thereon, wherein said plurality of light sources comprise light emitting diodes, wherein said light emitting diodes are arranged in a rectangular array; c) a substantially-planar fiberoptic guide having a plurality of holes disposed through its surface; d) a substantially-planar, transparent display array having a plurality of holes disposed through its surface, wherein said holes through the surface of said transparent display are arranged in a rectangular array, said substantially-planar display array being attached to said base portion at the top portion of said base portion, such that said substantially planar display array is disposed at an angle of between 30 and 85 degrees with respect to the horizontal when said base portion of said transparent illuminated display is disposed on a horizontal surface, and wherein said transparent display array comprises a material selected from the group consisting of;
polymethylmethacrylate resins, polyethylethacrylate resins, polycarbonate resins, polyacrylate resins, and glass;e) a plurality of fiberoptic strands, wherein each fiberoptic strand has a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein the first end portion of the fiberoptic strands are disposed in sufficient proximity to one of said light sources disposed on said light source support to enable light emitted from the light source to enter the fiberoptic strands, and wherein said second end portion of each of said fiberoptic strands is disposed within one of the holes in said display array, said fiberoptic strands passing through one of said holes disposed through said fiberoptic guide; and f) a lens disposed at said second end portion of said fiberoptic strands.
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13. A process for displaying a character comprising the steps of:
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i) transparent illuminated display device suitable for mounting in windows and other locations which comprises; a) a base portion having a bottom surface, a top portion, and a hollow interior portion; b) a light source support having a plurality of light sources disposed thereon; c) a substantially-planar fiberoptic guide having a plurality of holes disposed through its surface; d) a substantially-planar, transparent display array having a plurality of holes disposed through its surface, said substantially-planar display array being attached to said base portion at the top portion of said base portion, such that said substantially planar display array is disposed at an angle of between 30 and 85 degrees with respect to the horizontal when said base portion of said transparent illuminated display is disposed on a horizontal surface; and e) a plurality of fiberoptic strands, wherein each fiberoptic strand has a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein the first end portion of the fiberoptic strands are disposed in sufficient proximity to one of said light sources disposed on said light source support to enable light emitted from the light source to enter the fiberoptic strands, and wherein said second end portion of each of said fiberoptic strands is disposed within one of the holes in said display array, said fiberoptic strands passing through one of said holes disposed through said fiberoptic guide; and ii) selectively energizing a plurality of said light sources in a pre-selected pattern so as to cause a first image to be displayed on said display array. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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Specification