A fiber optic display sign is provided comprising a plurality of magnetically actuatable indicator elements, each having associated therewith at least two fiber optic cables for transmitting light. Each of the fiber optic cables has an end face for emitting light which terminates in an indicator element, and an end face for receiving light which is positioned in close proximity with the other light receiving end faces to form a light receiving surface. A light source assembly moveable with respect to the light receiving surface includes a primary light source and a secondary light source each adapted to illuminate the light receiving surface when aligned therewith. The light source assembly is alternatively moveable to a first position at which the primary light source is aligned with the light receiving surface or a second position at which the secondary light source is aligned with the light receiving surface. An electronic circuit detects an interruption in the current through the primary light source and provides an electrical signal in response thereto. A solenoid responds to the electrical signal by moving the light source assembly from the first position to the second position and energizing the secondary light source.

A visual communicator for a rear window of a vehicle. The communicator is semi-transparent and adapted to be disposed in the rear window of the vehicle for viewing from outside of the vehicle. The degree of transparency is such as to accommodate normal use of an inside rearview mirror of the vehicle by a driver of the vehicle. The communicator also includes a message display unit including a plurality of light emitting diodes comprising in a matrix arrangement and disposed in a limited discrete portion of the rear window. The light emitting diodes are selectively energizable to emit light in the form of a message. The communicator further includes a message control unit operationally interconnected to the light emitting diodes for selectively energizing the light emitting diodes. The message control unit is programmed to energize the light emitting diodes in any one of a plurality of preselected patterns. With this arrangement, the preselected patterns form messages for viewing from outside of the vehicle upon selective actuation of the message control unit.

An electronic tag having a customer attracting annunciator such as a light emitting element or sound element is provided. In one aspect, a tag constructed for sideward direction of lighting is provided. In another aspect, a battery free tag including a customer attracting annunciator which is energized with power derived from induced signals developed in the tag. In a further aspect, an annunciator of an electronic tag is controlled based upon signals output from an LCD display driver.

A pixel for use in a visual matrix display including a frame having front and rear surfaces and defining an aperture; a light source oriented in the aperture; a first retroreflective surface borne by the frame and positioned adjacent to the aperture; a flap borne by the front surface and moveable along a given path of travel between a first position wherein the pixel is nonoperational, and the flap is disposed in covering relation relative to the light source, and a second operational position, wherein the flap has a second retroreflective surface which is exposed when the flap is in the second position; an assembly borne by the frame for moving the flap along the given path of travel; and an assembly for energizing the light source when the flap is in one of the given positions along the path of travel.