Combination text and picture display system

Claim 1

An integrated electronic dynamic alpha/numeric message and picture display system comprising: (a) a matrix or segmented pattern of discreet light source devices which allow the forming of illuminated characters when an appropriate selection of said discreet light source devices are simultaneously energized; (b) a picture retaining means for holding a series of individual pictures to be selectively displayed, picture illumination means for individually illuminating pictures in the picture retaining means, and electronic control means electrically associated with the picture illumination means to enable selective illumination of one or more pictures in the picture retaining means; (c) a memory means to store and provide appropriate electrical signal instructions governing the selection and timing of the energizing of each said light source device, and governing the said selective illumination of one or more pictures; (d) an encoding device associated with the memory means for coding and combining the said signal instructions into a single signal so as to inherently synchronize selected alpha/numeric passages with selected picture illumination; (e) signal processing means to process signals from the memory means to translate the said signals into control signals for the light source devices and the electronic control means for picture selection and illumination; (f) a series of electrical switching circuits electronically associated with the signal processing means and with the light source devices to receive electrical control signals from the signal processing means and switch on power to temporarily energize the desired selection of light source devices, thereby producing the corresponding specific illuminated character as originally entered to the encoding device; and (g) logic circuit means electronically associated with the electronic control means and the signal processing means to receive electronic signals from the signal processing means designated for the picture illumination means and produce a desired response of the electronic control means.