WO1995033252A1

WO1995033252A1 - Data-presentation device for optically perceivable alphanumeric and/or graphical images

Info

Publication number: WO1995033252A1
Application number: PCT/AT1995/000107
Authority: WO
Inventors: Reinhard Ruff
Original assignee: Dr.Techn.Josef Zelisko Fabrik Für Elektrotechnik Und Maschinenbau Gesellschaft M.B.H.
Priority date: 1994-06-01
Filing date: 1995-05-29
Publication date: 1995-12-07
Also published as: AT402455B; AU2556395A; ATA111794A

Abstract

The data-presentation device (1) proposed includes a display (3) with light-signal display elements (8), the display being connected by means of a light-transmission system (6), such as an optical fibre (4, 5), to an illumination unit (2) designed to generate light beams (7), plus a circuit (10) designed to cut off the light beams (7). Fitted in this circuit (10) is at least the end section (11) of an optical fibre (4) such that it can be adjusted, to align the faces (19, 20), relative to the coaxially disposed opposite end section (12) of another optical fibre (5) and/or the light-entry area of the display element (8).

Description

Information device for reproducing optically perceptible alphanumeric and / or graphic representations

The invention relates to an information device as described in the preamble of claim 1.

In such information devices - according to EP-A2-0 415 026 - as e.g. in traffic management or when reproducing information, on traffic routes, e.g. Road, rail, etc., in order to make the information easier to see due to the fact that they are used at elevated positions, the light is often transmitted using light guides. This makes it possible to arrange the light sources away from the actual light signal and thus to make them easily accessible in order to simply replace the lamp in the event of the light source failing. With such light signals, switching elements are known to prevent the flow of light, which e.g. Have flaps, panels, etc., which can be adjusted as required at an interruption point of the light guide by means of mechanical or electromechanical adjustment drives. Another possibility is to switch one or more light sources on or off, which generally controls the operation of different signal images of the entire light signal.

A further known device for an illuminated display is shown in DE-Al-28 31 174, in which an optical control device is arranged in each light path from a light source to a display section, the light transmission of which can be controlled by liquid crystal cells or electrocomatic cells. However, mechanically acting plates, flaps etc. are also known from this DE-A1. The disadvantage here is a high susceptibility to faults in the external conditions which generally prevail for the use of the information devices.

The object of the invention is to provide an information device with a graphic or alphanumeric display formed by a plurality of light points, in which, starting from a light source emitting light rays, the light flow in the individual light guides can be interrupted optionally.

This object of the invention is achieved by the features set out in claim 1. The surprising advantage of this solution now lies in the fact that by adjusting an end region of two opposite light guides There are no mechanical components for the interruption of the light beam, thereby achieving a long service life with a high switching frequency and, in addition, small dimensions for the switching device.

However, an embodiment according to claim 2 or 3 is also advantageous because individual switching states for the light conduction are brought about very quickly and a large number of pixels, e.g. can be connected via a program control unit to form the information.

An embodiment according to claim 4 is also possible, as a result of which a reliable interruption of the light flow with short adjustment paths is achieved.

An advantageous further development is described in claims 5 and 6 because scatter losses are thereby reduced and light losses during transmission of the light signal are thereby kept low.

However, an embodiment according to claim 7 is also possible, because this takes into account the conical propagation of the light rays between the end faces of the light guides on exiting and re-entering and a high degree of efficiency is achieved.

Through an advantageous development, as described in claim 8, a complete interruption is achieved and the occurrence of residual light incidence in the light guide leading to the display lens is effectively avoided.

According to the advantageous further development described in claim 9, in particular in the case of the V-shaped design of the end stops which include the light guide in the end positions, an exact positional positioning is achieved with free movement of the light guide between the end positions. This also effectively prevents damage to the surface of the light guide caused by friction on guides, etc.

According to the advantageous embodiment described in claim 10, a perfectly reproducible adjustment movement is achieved.

However, training according to claim 11 is also possible, because this results in a very simple, cost-saving and highly reliable guide arrangement. voltage is reached.

An embodiment according to patent claim 12 is also advantageous because it results in low friction losses in the guide arrangement and at the same time achieves the greatest possible protection of the surface of the light guide and early wear of the surface, which is decisive for the loss-free conduction of the light beams, is effective is avoided.

According to an advantageous embodiment, as described in patent claims 13 and 14, an adjustment drive that acts reliably with a small number of components is achieved for the adjustment between two end positions for the light guide.

An advantageous further development is described in claim 15 because it avoids a constant supply of energy, which means that the energy expenditure for the switching device is low and, furthermore, the heat development in the switching device, which would make measures necessary for cooling, low will.

However, an embodiment variant according to claim 16 is also possible, as a result of which a large number of possible drive systems are available for different conditions at different locations.

However, an embodiment according to claim 17 is also possible, as a result of which a high resolution of the light signals or information to be displayed is achieved in accordance with a conventional display standard.

A further advantageous embodiment is described in claim 18, whereby a large number of display elements for supplying the information are supplied from a light source, thereby achieving a very economical unit.

Formations according to patent claims 19 and 20 are also advantageous because this gives them a high degree of flexibility, as a result of which the drive energy for the switching device is kept low.

An embodiment according to claim 21 is possible, whereby the information display can be adapted individually and quickly to changing circumstances. According to an advantageous development, as described in claim 22, it is easily possible to call up and display predetermined information according to predeterminable criteria, for example depending on the time of day, air quality, temperature etc.

Finally, an embodiment according to claim 23 is also possible because the information available can be changed by the simplest pulse control.

For a better understanding of the invention, this will be explained with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings.

Show it:

1 shows a switching device according to the invention of an information device, in a side view, partially in section and schematically simplified representation;

FIG. 2 shows the switching device according to FIG. 1 in a side view, sectioned and enlarged representation;

3 shows the switching device according to FIG. 2 in an end view, in section, according to the lines III-III in FIG. 2 and schematically indicated multiple arrangement of switching devices;

4 shows a partial area of the display device with a multiple arrangement of display elements to form a display unit, in view;

FIG. 5 shows the display unit according to FIG. 4 in a front view, in section, according to the lines V-V in FIG. 4;

6 shows another embodiment of the switching device according to the invention in a side view, cut away and schematically simplified;

Fig. 7, the switching device, cut, along the lines VII-VII in Fig. 6th

1 shows an information device 1 for producing optically perceptible information formed from alphanumeric or graphic representations shown. This information device 1 has a lamp unit 2 and a display device 3 remote therefrom, which are connected to one another via a light transmission system 6 formed by light guides 4, 5.

Of course, the light transmission system 6 can also be configured by a plurality of light guides 4, 5, i.e. be formed by the use of light guide bundles or bundled light guides, which can also be provided with a sheathing.

The light guides 4, 5, which transmit light beams 7 emitted by the lamp unit 2 to a display element 8, which is arranged on a display panel 9 of the display device 3, are in a switching device 10 arranged between the lamp unit 2 and the display element 8 with their end regions 11, 12 facing each other are held in alignment.

The lamp unit 2 has a light source 13, e.g. a lamp 14 which is powered by an energy source 15, e.g. an electrical network 16, is supplied. The light beams 7 emitted by the lamp 14 occur e.g. bundled by a reflector 17 through an end face 18 facing the lamp 14 into the light guide 4 and are transmitted through this to an end face 19 of the light guide 4 arranged opposite the end face 18 in the switching device 10. An end surface 20 of the light guide 5 running to the display element 8 is arranged opposite and slightly spaced from the end surface 19. The light beams 7 passed on by the light guide 4 from the light source 13 emerge on the end face 19 of the light guide 4, the beam expanding conically and overcoming the slight distance between the end faces 19, 20. In the case of a coaxial arrangement of the light guides 4, 5 or their overlapping arrangement of the end face 19, 20, the beam of rays then enters the light guide 5 via the end face 20 and the light beams are passed through this to the display element 8.

The display element 8 is e.g. formed by a lens 21, the surface 23 of which faces a viewer 22 has a diffusing screen 24, as a result of which a light spot formed by the light beam 7 is enlarged and shown with uniform illumination.

The switching device 10 comprises, for example, a mechanical and / or electrical or pressure medium-operated adjusting device 25, with which the relative position of the mutually mutually facing end regions 11, 12 of the light guide 4, 5 is adjustable. It is thus possible to move the light guides 4, 5 or their end faces 19, 20 from their overlapping, for example coaxial arrangement into a position which is eccentric or laterally offset from one another, as a result of which the light beams 7 pass from the light guide 4 is interrupted in the light guide 5. By carrying out these adjustment processes, depending on the position of the end faces 19, 20 or the end regions 11, 12 relative to one another, the display element 8 is acted upon by the light beams 7 or not.

It is of course also possible to arrange a large number or a bundle of light guides 4, 5 between the luminaire unit 2 and the display device 3 in order to display alphanumeric or graphic information. A separate switching device 10 or adjusting device 25 can be interposed between each of the light guides 4, 5 of a bundle or a group of such light guides, with which the end regions 11, 12 of the respective group of light guides or the individual light guides 4, 5 are mutually adjustable and produce a light transmission between the lamp unit 2 and display device 3 or prevent such transmission, which can be adjusted in each case via the switching devices 10 or adjusting device 25 assigned to them in the end regions 11, 12.

The switching device 10 or the adjusting device 25 is connected via lines 26, 27 to a control device 28 and this, if appropriate, to a computer 29 and / or input terminal 30. In this way, predetermined programs for controlling the switching device 10 can be run in the control device 28 or in the computer 29 in order to act upon the various lenses for the radiation of a specific information sign or to interrupt the beam transition, that is to say a bright one / dark switching of the individual lenses 21 to make.

2 and 3, the switching device 10 of the information device 1 is shown on a larger scale.

The light guide 4 leading from the light unit 2 to the switching device 10 has a longitudinal central axis 31 and a diameter 32 which is smaller than a diameter 33 of the light guide 5. In the switching position shown in full lines, the light beams emitted by the light unit 2 can 7 pass through the light guide 4 into the light guide 5. The longitudinal central axis 31 of the light guide 4 is aligned with a longitudinal central axis 34 of the light guide 5. The end faces 19, 20 facing each other at the two end regions 11, 12 of the two light guides 4, 5 are arranged at a distance 37 from one another in the planes 35, 36 vertical to the longitudinal central axes 31, 34. This exact mutual alignment of the end faces 19, 20 with respect to one another is therefore of particular importance, since a beam of light rays 7 emerging from the light guide 4 through the end face 19 widens conically at an angle 38 to extend into the opposite end face 20 of the light guide 5 to enter again, which has the larger diameter 33, the full, enlarged beam of rays again enters the final light guide 5 and therefore a loss of light is avoided. The distance 37 between the planes 35, 36 arranged parallel to one another or the end faces 19, 20 is between 0.1 mm and 0.5 mm, for example with a diameter 32 of 1 mm and a diameter 33 of 1.5 mm.

When choosing the diameter 32 for the light guide 4, the criteria of the luminance on the one hand and the flexibility of the end region of the light guide 4 in the switching device 10 on the other hand must be taken into account. A diameter 32 of approximately 1.0 mm has advantageously been found. Due to the conical light emission at the end face 19 - the angle 38 for the scattering being approximately 56 ° - the diameter 33 of the light guide 5 arises as a function of the size of the distance 37, which means that the light guide 5 after bridging the distance 37 between the end faces 19, 20, the light rays of the beam of rays are passed on without losses. If the distance 37 is in the range from 0.1 to 0.4 mm and the diameter 32 of the light guide 4 is approximately 1.0 mm, the diameter 33 of the light guide 5 is approximately 1.5 mm.

In order to protect the two light guides 4, 5 from damage in a housing 39 of the switching device 10, the two end regions 11, 12 of the two light guides 4, 5 are passed through elastic protective sleeves 40, 41 which protect them on the one hand from damage and on the other hand hold it in an exact position.

The end region 11 of the light guide 4 is guided at least laterally or spatially in a guide arrangement 42, which is formed, for example, by an elongated hole 43 or a U-shaped slot, which is arranged in a web 44. When the end region 11 changes position - according to a double arrow 45 - the guide arrangement 42 ensures that the two longitudinal central axes 31, 34 only move in a path or adjustment plane 46 defined by the guide arrangement 42. The web 44 can be formed as a component which is independent of the housing 39 and is fastened, for example glued, welded, etc., into the housing 39. A material which is independent of the material of the housing 39 and has corresponding properties, for example with a low coefficient of friction, can thus be selected for the web 44 forming the guide arrangement 42. What is important here is the choice of a material by means of which the surface of the light guide 4 has no impairment due to abrasion even after a large number of switching operations. This is achieved by a plastic and in particular by the use of polyamide or PTFE for the web 44.

However, it is of course also possible to make the housing 39 in one piece with the web 44 when using a suitable material, e.g. run as an injection molded part. The assembly costs can thus be reduced.

Furthermore, an end region 11 or 12 of at least one of the light guides 4, 5 is connected to a permanent magnet 47 which, viewed in the direction of the longitudinal central axis 31, has an approximately rectangular or square cross section. In the present exemplary embodiment, an adjusting drive 48 is assigned to this permanent magnet, which is formed by a soft iron core 49 and a coil 50 surrounding it. The coil 50 of the adjusting drive 48 is connected via lines 51 to an energy source 52, e.g. connected to a battery or a network. In order to achieve a corresponding polarity reversal of the soft iron core 49 of the adjusting drive 48, a polarity reversal circuit 53 is also arranged between the energy source 52 and the coil 50. With this, the magnetic polarity of the soft iron core 49 can be changed in a predeterminable manner such that when light passage of the light beams 7 from the light guide 4 into the light guide 5 is desired, the permanent magnet 47 is attracted to the soft iron core 49. Current is applied to the coil 50 only briefly by the polarity reversal circuit 53, as a result of which the soft iron core 49 assumes the polarity corresponding to the current flow and maintains it until the next current is applied. Due to the corresponding polarity and the mutual attraction of the soft iron core 49 and the permanent magnet 47, the end region 11 of the light guide 4 is aligned in an exactly aligned position with respect to the light guide 5 when the permanent magnet 47 abuts the soft iron core 49.

As further indicated in thin lines, it is of course also possible to assign an adjustment device 54 to the adjusting drive 48, which allows the two longitudinal center axes 31, 34 to be aligned in an exactly aligned position with respect to one another, when the adjusting device 25, which is formed by the adjusting drive 48 and the permanent magnet 47, is switched to light transmission.

If, for certain reasons, the light passage of the light beams 7 from the light guide 4 into the light guide 5 is to be interrupted, it is necessary to change the polarity of the soft iron core 49 by means of the coil 50. As a result of this change in polarity, the permanent magnet 47 held at the end region 11 of the light guide 4 is repelled by the soft iron core 49, as a result of which the longitudinal central axis 31 of the light guide 4 moves by an adjustment path 55 in the adjustment plane 46 with respect to the longitudinal center axis 34, as shown in FIG this is indicated in dashed lines. This adjustment path 55 must be dimensioned in such a way that it is ensured that the light rays 7 emerging from the light guide 4 or the beam cannot enter the end face 20 of the light guide 5. In any case, this adjustment path 55 is greater than half the amount which results from the sum of the two diameters 32 and 33.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the adjusting drive 48 is formed by an electromagnet 56, consisting of the soft iron core 49 and the coil 50. However, it is of course also possible to replace the electromagnet 56 for the adjusting drive 48, e.g. to use an electric motor, stepper motor or pressurized cylinder, etc.

It is also advantageous, as can best be seen from FIG. 3, if the adjusting plane 46 and thus the guide arrangement 42 are arranged in a vertical plane, since the permanent magnet 47 on the one hand, during a switching operation of the adjusting device 25 due to its own weight supports the adjustment movement and on the other hand there is no one-sided wear of the surface of the light guide 4 and also no friction between the light guide 4 and the guide arrangement 42.

Furthermore, the reversing circuit 53 is assigned a changeover switch 57, which is connected to the switch contacts and is further connected to the control device 28 via the line 26. As a result, it has now been possible, as has already been described above, to automatically control the adjusting device 25 via an input terminal 30 or the computer 29 and thus to interrupt or restart the luminous flux from the light guide 4 into the light guide 5 to manufacture. This interruption of the luminous flux serves above all to ensure that the lamp 14 arranged in the lamp unit 2 is constantly in operation, ie emits light, and thus protects the lamp 14 from constant on-off switching operation. As further indicated schematically in FIG. 3, it is possible to design the housing 39 of the switching device 10 in such a way that they can be strung together in order to control a large number of individual light guides 4 and 5 individually and thus separately, as is shown in more detail in FIG the following figures are described.

In an embodiment variant according to FIGS. 4 and 5, the display panel 9 has an arrangement of the display elements 8 in a known 5/7 matrix for the display of alphanumeric characters, i.e. that the display panel 9 has a total of thirty-five display elements 8. The light transmission system 6 between the light unit 2 and the display device 3 has light guide bundles of thirty-five light guides 4, 5 each, and the switching device 10 is equipped with thirty-five adjustment devices 25.

The display panel 9 of the display device 3 can consist of a large number of display units 58, each of these display units 58 having the 5/7 matrix already described and known. Due to the individual control option of each display element 8 of the display unit 58, it is now possible to use different symbols, such as Let writings or numbers appear on the scoreboard 9.

5, a bundle 59 leads from the switching devices 10, in the present case thirty-five light guides 5, to the display unit 58, in which each individual light guide 5 has a single display element 8 consisting of the Lens 21 with the associated lens 24, is assigned.

This makes it possible to assemble display devices 3 or display panels 9 from a different number of display units 58, as is necessary depending on the desired application, in order to e.g. to be able to use it on traffic routes for the transmission of optical information.

6 and 7, a further embodiment of the display device 3 with the switching device 10 is shown. In this case, a light entry surface 60 of the display element 8 is arranged in the housing 39 opposite the end face 19 of the light guide 4, in a passage position for the light rays. The adjustment device 25 is, for example, as already described in the previous figures, by the electromagnet 56 and the permanent magnet 47 arranged on the light guide 4. forms. By means of the adjusting device 25, the end region 11 of the light guide 4 can be adjusted between two end positions depending on the actuation of the electromagnet 56 due to the magnetic attraction or repulsion force between two end positions, which are fixed by means of end stops 61, 62 fastened in the housing 39. The end stops 61, 62 thus limit the adjustment path 55 of the end region 11 of the light guide 4, whereby in the end positions they encompass the light guide 4 circumferentially in areas such as V-shaped recesses 63. This design enables exact positioning of the end face 19 of the light guide 4 in relation to the light entry face 60 of the display element 8. In addition, the end region 11 of the light guide 4 can be moved without guidance between the two end positions, which also causes wear on the surface of the light guide 4 is avoided with a high switching frequency. This design also enables the switching device to be used directly on the display device 3, thereby saving an additional installation device.

It is of course possible within the scope of the invention to design the switching device or adjusting device according to the invention using various components known from the prior art. In addition, the adjustment device can be arranged in the switching device as desired and can be varied according to the desired or required operating conditions.

Finally, for the sake of order, it should be pointed out that, for a better understanding of the function of the switching device according to the invention, many parts of the same are shown schematically and disproportionately enlarged. Furthermore, individual designs of individual exemplary embodiments or the exemplary embodiments can each form independent solutions according to the invention.

Above all, the individual in FIGS. 1, 2, 3; 4, 5; 6 and 7 form the subject of independent solutions according to the invention. The tasks and solutions according to the invention in this regard can be found in the detailed descriptions of these figures. Regarding signs

1 information device 41 protective sleeve

2 lamp unit 42 guide arrangement

3 display device 43 slot

4 Lichüeiter 44 bridge

5 light guide 45 double arrow

6 Light transmission system 46 adjustment level

7 light beam 47 permanent magnet

8 Display element 48 adjustment drive

9 scoreboard 49 soft iron core

10 switching device 50 coil

11 End area 51 line

12 End area 52 energy source

13 light source 53 polarity reversal

14 lamp 54 adjustment device

15 Energy source 55 adjustment path

16 mains 56 electromagnet

17 reflector 57 switch

18 face 58 display unit

19 face 59 bundles

20 end face 60 light entry surface

21 lens 61 end stop

22 viewers 62 end stop

23 surface 63 recess

24 lens

25 adjusting device

26 line

27 line

28 Control device

29 ^' calculator

30 input terminal

31 longitudinal central axis

32 diameter

33 diameter

34 longitudinal central axis

35 level

36 level

37 distance

38 angles

39 housing

40 protective grommet

Claims

Patent claims

1. Information device for reproducing optically perceptible alphanumeric and / or graphic representations with a display device having display elements for information formed from at least one light point, which is connected to a luminaire unit for generating light beams via a light transmission system formed by at least one light guide and with egg ¬ ner switching device for interrupting the light beams, characterized in that

10 that in the switching device (10) an end region (11) of at least one light guide (4) relative to an end region (12) coaxially opposite in relation to end faces (19, 20) of a further light guide (5) and / or a light entry surface (60) of the display element (8) is relatively adjustable.

,,,

2. Information device according to claim 1, characterized in that the

Light transmission system (6) is formed by two light guides (4, 5) arranged opposite one another in the switching device (10) with end faces (19, 20).

3. Information device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that

20 that the switching device (10) has an adjustment drive (48) which is connected or cooperates with one of the end regions (11, 12) facing the end faces (19, 20), at least one light guide (4, 5).

4. Information device according to one or more of claims 1 to 3,

, - _< - characterized in that the mutually facing end faces (19, 20) of the light guide (4, 5) or one of the end faces (19, 20) and the light entry surface (60) of the display element (8) from a in With respect to the longitudinal center axes (31, 34) of the mutually coaxial position, they can be adjusted to a position eccentric to one another.

30

5. Information device according to one or more of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the end faces (19, 20) of the light guide (4, 5) with aligned longitudinal central axes (31, 34) in mutually parallel planes (35, 36 ) are arranged.

35

6. Information device according to one or more of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a distance (37) between the end faces (19, 20) perpendicular to this is approximately between 0.1 mm and 0.5 mm.

7. Information device according to one or more of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a diameter (33) of the switching device (10) with the display device (3) connecting the light guide (5) is larger than a diameter (32) of the the light unit (2) with the light guide (4) connecting the switching device (10).

8. Information device according to one or more of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that an approximately at right angles to the longitudinal central axes

(31, 34) adjustment path (55) for the end region (11, 12) of a light guide (4, 5) is greater than half the sum of the diameters (32, 33) of the two light guides (4,5).

9. Information device according to one or more of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the adjustment path (55) is limited by mutually opposite end stops (61, 62) which define the end region (11, 12) of at least one light guide (4, 5) in its end positions with respect to a plane receiving the longitudinal central axes (31, 34).

10. Information device according to one or more of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the end region (11, 12) of at least one light guide (4, 5) in a guide arrangement (42) in which the longitudinal central axis (31, 34) of the Lichtlei¬ ters (4, 5) receiving level is adjustably mounted.

11. Information device according to claim 10, characterized in that the guide arrangement (42) is formed by a light guide (4) or its end region comprising web (44) in which the end region of the light guide (4) in egg nem in the adjustment direction extending slot (43) is guided laterally.

12. Information device according to claim 10 or 11, characterized gekennzeich¬ net that the web (44) by a low friction coefficient material, in particular made of plastic, e.g. Polyamide.

13. Information device according to one or more of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that a permanent magnet (47) is preferably arranged on the light guide (4) in its end region (11).

14. Information device according to one or more of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that an adjusting drive (48) is formed by an electromagnet (56) which interacts with the permanent magnet (47).

15. Information device according to one or more of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the electromagnet (56) via a polarity reversal circuit (53) is connected to an energy source (52).

16. Information device according to one or more of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the adjusting drive (48) is formed by an electric motor or a pressure-loaded cylinder etc.

17. Information device according to one or more of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the display device (3) is formed by a display panel (9) from at least one display unit (58) which e.g. is provided with display elements (8) arranged in a 5/7 matrix.

18. Information device according to one or more of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that between the light unit (2) and the display unit (58) from the light guides (4, 5) formed light guide bundles are arranged.

19. • Information device according to one or more of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that at least one light guide (4, 5) consists of a plurality of optical fibers bundled together.

20. Information device according to one or more of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the light guides (4, 5) are sheathed.

21. Information device according to one or more of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that a switching device (10) is assigned to each of the display elements (58) forming the display element (8) or light transmission system (6).

22. Information device according to one or more of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that the switching devices (10) assigned to the light guides (4, 5) are connected to the line with a control device (28) and optionally a program switching mechanism.

23. Information device according to one or more of claims 1 to 22, characterized in that the control device (28) has predefined switching states for the switching device (10).