Interchangable modular programmable neon sign
US6305110A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 13, 1998 |
| Grant date | Oct 23, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 13, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG09F13/26
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A modular neon sign control system with a plurality of discrete neon letters, numbers or symbols, each with plugs to plug into at any place along a continuous electrical rail. Each neon letter, etc. is a single tube having its own driving inverter and digital decoder. Dip switches set a unique digital code into the decoder for each letter. A programmed memory controls a system encoder which sends coded signals to each decoder to compare with each letter's unique code. Those letters receiving the matching digital signals are activated or deactivated according to the program. The letters, etc. of the sign can be operated simultaneously, serially, randomly, in a pattern, or in a flashing manner. Power from an ac adapter is supplied along with the signals from the encoder to the electrical rail, and the decoder separates the power from the coded signals. The letters may be individually and easily prearranged and substituted in a sign.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.