Matrix display assembly having multiple point lighting

Claim 1

A graphic character matrix display assembly, comprising: a support providing a nonreflecting background for said display; a multiplicity of display units mounted on said support in an array for cooperatively displaying said character; each of said display units comprising: a flat non-apertured display a symmetry having axis a light reflecting side and a nonreflecting opposite side, and having a radial cutout at its periphery; motive means on said support for rotating said display element substantially along the axis of symmetry of said display element between a light reflecting display position exposing said light reflective side and a reversed position exposing said nonreflecting side; an illumination means carried by said support adjacent said display element and arranged to project said light beam forward of said display position through a cutout and to project an outline of said display element, when said disk is in said display position, said display element having an imperforate edge to block said light beam when said display element is in said reversed position; whereby said character is displayed in ambient reflected light when certain ones of said disks are in said display position, and whereby said character is displayed in the absence of said ambient light by said projected light beams and by silhouettes of said certain disks by said light beams.