CHARLES EDWARD WILLIAMS
Pilots at Othello St, Seattle, WA

5247600, Sep 21, 1993

Nov 12, 1991

7/793250

Charles M. Williams - Seattle WA
Richard Harrington - Vancouver, B.C., CA

G02B 604

385115

A fiber optic display screen for use in high ambient light environments. A source of high intensity light is provided the output of which is controlled by a light gate control. The light gate control comprises a plurality of individual light shutters which pass or obstruct light from the high intensity light. Each of the plurality of light shutters includes an optic fiber which extends from the shutter output to an area remote therefrom where the distal ends of the fibers are terminated along the same vertical plane with each of the optic fibers positioned in the same relative location as the shutter end. Light passing through individual shutters of the plurality of shutters is displayed at the same location at the distal ends thereof. By selectively operating specific shutters to allow light from the high intensity light to pass through the optic fibers intelligent information can be formed at the distal ends of the plurality of optic fibers. This information can be readily seen under high ambient light conditions.

5400424, Mar 21, 1995

Dec 17, 1993

8/168141

Charles M. Williams - Seattle WA

G02B 604

385 76

A module for a display screen that includes a plurality of evenly spaced fiber optic light sources along the face of a matrix block having a non-reflecting face. The face of the block has a plurality of generally right conical projections. An optical fiber extends substantially axially through each projection with the fiber end projecting beyond the apex. Slant height lines of the conical projections are curved, so that the sides of the projections are slightly concave or convex, to scatter incident light toward adjacent projections where the light is absorbed. Typically the bases of the conical projections can be hexagonal, with the edges of the block shaped so that a plurality of blocks can be aligned to produce an array of blocks with the projections substantially uniformly spaced across the array. In order to increase the sideways spread of light emitted by the optical fiber ends, the fiber ends are grooved.