Patent ID: 6572011
Filing Date: 2003-06-03
Classification: G09F

Abstract:
A backlit display apparatus comprising:a film including a series of frames, said film further including at least one mark printed thereon corresponding to each frame, said marks providing information representative of frame position relative to the film; a light source for illuminating the frames, said light source being positioned behind the film relative to an intended viewer in front of the film, said frames each displaying an image printed on the film when illuminated; a spool for supporting the film, said spool having at least a portion of the film wound thereon and being positioned so that at least another portion of the film is in front of the light source and within a desired viewing area; a motor for rotating the spool to advance the film; a detector for detecting the marks printed on the film as the film is advanced by the motor; an encoder associated with the motor for detecting the position of the frames as a function of the angular position of the motor when each mark on the film is detected, said encoder generating a position signal representative of the detected positions of the frames; and a processor receiving and responsive to the position signal from the encoder for controlling the motor to advance the film so that a selected frame is within the desired viewing area for a predetermined interval of time.