WO2011029999A1

WO2011029999A1 - Illuminated sign and illuminated sign system

Info

Publication number: WO2011029999A1
Application number: PCT/FI2010/050694
Authority: WO
Inventors: Göran Sundholm
Original assignee: Marimils Oy
Priority date: 2009-09-10
Filing date: 2010-09-09
Publication date: 2011-03-17
Also published as: FI20095936A; FI20095936A0

Abstract

Illuminated sign, which illuminated sign comprises a translucent and light-diffracting plate-shaped photoconductor (114), and which comprises light- emitting light sources (108), which are arranged in connection with the photoconductor (114) such that the light emitted by them can be guided inside the photoconductor (114) from the edge, or from the edges, of it such that at least a part of the light diffracts onto the front and/or rear surface of the photoconductor (114). A surface (112) containing a light-storing substance is arranged in connection with the photoconductor (114), which surface emits light for at least a certain time after the light sources are not in operation.

Description

ILLUMINATED SIGN AND ILLUMINATED SIGN SYSTEM

The invention relates to illuminated signs and to illuminated sign systems. The object of the invention is an illuminated sign as defined in the preamble of claim 1.

The object of the invention is also an illuminated sign system as defined in the preamble of claim 18.

Background of the invention

Different systems for guiding people in situations of danger and accident, such as in fire situations, to the emergency exits of different buildings, tunnels or vessels are known in the art. These are various visual ways to mark the desired routes, such as lightings of emergency exit routes, or otherwise, e.g. emergency exit routes marked with reflective paint or tape.

Emergency exit routes are generally marked with signs that contain an illuminated pattern. The illuminated pattern can be e.g. an arrow or a diagrammatic sketch of a running person. In addition, a number of other patterns are used along an emergency exit route.

One prior-art illuminated sign is presented in publication WO 00/74025. An illuminated sign is presented in it, which sign comprises a sign part illuminated with a light source. The sign part is manufactured essentially of translucent material, in connection with which an informative sign pattern is arranged. The sign part is arranged as a waveguide plate, in which light rays propagate with total reflection and get outcoupled therefrom with a diffractive outcoupling arrangement, such as a local grating structure. The illumination of signs in situations of danger and accident is a problem because the lighting of the display typically requires electric current and it would be good if the display also operated in situations in which electric current is not available for some reason.

Prior-art solutions also include phosphorized sign markings. The phosphorized surface radiates light also afterwards, when it is not in the light. This phenomenon is known as phosphorescence. In the phenomenon, a phosphorescent material absorbs electromagnet radiation and emits lower-energy radiation. A phosphorized surface thus emits radiation with a delay, i.e. a surface exposed to visible light incandesces light also in the dark.

In prior-art solutions, phosphorized signs absorb light into themselves from sunlight or from lighting that is separate and distant from the sign. This light is often not sufficient to illuminate the phosphorized surface adequately enough for the phosphorized surface to illuminate the sign brightly enough for long enough in dark conditions.

In many applications, such as in hotels, passenger ships or tunnels, there are specified emergency exits in emergency situations, which exits people should follow in evacuation circumstances. On the other hand, in a fire situation a pre- I defined emergency exit may be impossible owing to the location of the fire, in which case prior-art solutions might direct in the wrong direction or even towards the fire. The sign markings known in the art that are coated with a phosphorized substance are only static signs, and a dynamic control that is distinguished from the static sign cannot be connected to them. Prior-art sign markings coated with a phosphorized substance do not either function in the type of dark places, in which there is no other lighting, such as e.g. in dark tunnels. The aim of the invention is to achieve a new type of solution, by means of which the problems of prior art can be avoided. Brief description of the invention

The invention is based on a concept wherein a surface containing a light-storing substance is used in an illuminated sign, which surface is illuminated with light sources via a translucent photoconductor.

The illuminated sign according to the invention is mainly characterized by what is disclosed in claim 1. The illuminated sign according to the invention is also characterized by what is disclosed in claims 2 - 17.

The illuminated sign system according to the invention is mainly characterized by what is disclosed in claim 8.

The illuminated sign system according to the invention is also characterized by what is disclosed in claims 19 - 22.

The solution according to the invention has many important advantages. By means of the surface that contains a light-storing substance and is connected to the photoconductor of the illuminated sign, the illuminated sign is illuminated also for a certain time after the light sources do not emit light, e.g. owing to an electrical outage. The surface of the illuminated sign containing a light-storing substance is illuminated with the light sources when the electrical current is in use, the light emitted by which light sources is conducted by the translucent photoconductor of the illuminated sign directly to the surface containing a light-storing substance. In this case the surface is illuminated better than in prior-art solutions and because of this the patterning of the illuminated sign can be illuminated more effectively and for longer after the extinguishing of the light sources than in prior-art phosphorized signs or in signs that are illuminated only by means of an electric current. This is of great advantage in the dark, e.g. in tunnels or emergency exit routes. According to one embodiment of the invention some of the light of the light sources can be guided to the front side of the illuminated sign without it being guided to the photoconductor. In this way the light of the light sources can be distinguished from another illuminated pattern or surface of the illuminated sign. By means of this an illuminated sign provided with a light-storing substance can be made to guide also dynamically, i.e. an impression of movement can be brought about with it, regardless of the light-storing property of the illuminated sign.

Owing to its structure, an illuminated sign according to the invention can also be formed to be very thin and it can be easily installed onto different surfaces and into different places.

Brief description of the figures

In the following, the invention will be described in detail by the aid of some examples of its embodiments with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 presents a cross-section of an illuminated sign according to the invention.

Fig. 2 presents a cross-section of an illuminated sign according to the invention, in which the funneling in the illuminated sign of the light coming from the light sources is presented. Fig. 3 presents an illuminated sign according to the invention with its casing.

Fig. 4 presents an illuminated sign according to the invention, in which the patterning of the illuminated sign is on a surface containing a light-storing substance.

Fig. 5 presents an illuminated sign according to the invention, in which the patterning of the illuminated sign is on a protective plate of the photoconductor. Fig. 6 presents an illuminated sign system according to one embodiment of the invention. Fig. 7 presents an illuminated sign according to the invention, in which the pattern of the illuminated sign is formed with light sources.

Fig. 8 presents a cross-section of an illuminated sign according to the invention.

Detailed description of the invention

Fig. 1 presents a cross-section of an illuminated sign according to the invention. As viewed from the side, a translucent and light-diffracting photoconductor 114 is in the center of the illuminated sign. A surface 112 containing a light-storing substance is arranged on the rear side of the photoconductor 114 and a protective plate 106 is arranged on the front side of the photoconductor 114. The protective plate 106 of the illuminated sign can be of translucent and bright material, e.g. of plastic or glass. The patterning of the illuminated sign can be formed e.g. in connection with the surface 112 containing a light-storing substance or in connection with the protective plate 106. A light source 108, from which light is guided into the photoconductor 114, is arranged above the photoconductor 114. The light source can be e.g. a semiconductor light source such as an LED light source. The light source is connected to a circuit board 110. In one embodiment of the invention one illuminated sign can comprise a number of contiguous or consecutive light sources 108.

In the solution presented by Fig. 1 , the light source 108 is directed downwards but some of the light is also funneled to the side. According to one embodiment of the invention some of the light produced by the light source 108 can be guided to the front side of the illuminated sign without it passing through the photoconductor 114. In this case a part of the light is guided through the lens 104 or the hole in the front profile 102. The lense 104 can be colored or the color of the light of the light source 108 can be changed by means of the lense, in which case it can be e.g. distinguished better from the patterning of the illuminated sign. The lense 104 can also be colorless. It is not necessary to guide the light of all the light sources directly to the front side of an illuminated sign but instead it is also possible to arrange the lenses or holes so that the light is conducted to the front side of the illuminated sign from only a part of the light sources.

A light source can also be arranged such that it is directed directly at the front profile, in which case most of the light is guided directly via the front profile 102 to the front side of the illuminated sign. In this case the light produced from the light source towards the side is guided inside the photoconductor 14.

The surface 2 containing a light-storing substance can be phosphorized or treated with some other similar substance that stores within itself the light emitted by the light sources.

In one embodiment of the invention the light sources of the illuminated sign are not covered. In this case lenses or holes are not needed in the front surface of an illuminated sign but instead some of the light produced by the light source is funneled directly to the front side of the illuminated sign.

An illuminated sign can light or extinguish the light sources 108 singly or in groups. An illuminated sign can also "run" light, i.e. an individual light source 108 can be lit when the adjacent light source 108 extinguishes and be extinguished when the adjacent light source 108 on the same or on the other side lights up. The illuminated sign can also light and extinguish all the light sources 108 at one time and repeat this function. Flashing of the illuminated sign is achieved with this, which flashing can fasten people's attention on the illuminated sign better than a sign that is continuously illuminated with light sources. Fig. 2 presents the tunneling of light in an illuminated sign according to the invention. The photoconductor 114 of the illuminated sign guides the light 202 produced by a light source 108 to the surface 112 containing a light-storing substance. The surface 112 containing a light-storing substance absorbs the light 202 conducted to it. After this, the surface containing a light-storing substance emits light 204. By means of this light the patterning of the illuminated sign or the pattern formed by the shape of the illuminated sign can be illuminated.

The photoconductor 114 can be implemented in a similar way to that disclosed by publication WO 00/74025. The photoconductor 114 is then manufactured from translucent material, which is arranged as a waveguide plate, in which light rays propagate with total reflection and get outcoupled from the photoconductor 1 4 with a diffractive outcoupling arrangement. The outcoupling arrangement can be implemented with a local grating structure or other corresponding structure. The photoconductor 1 4 can also be a thin, e.g. 0.7 mm thick, film. In one solution according to the invention light is guided onto the surface 112 containing a light- storing substance in the direction of the rear surface of the photoconductor 114.

By means of the surface 112 that contains a light-storing substance the patterning of the illuminated sign or the pattern formed by the shape of the illuminated sign can be made visible also for a set time after the light sources 108 are extinguished or have extinguished, e.g. owing to an electrical outage. The duration of visibility of the illuminated sign after the extinguishing of the light sources depends on the materials used and the efficiency of the light sources of the illuminated sign. The duration of when the patterning of an illuminated sign can be seen in the dark can be e.g. approx. 1 - 2 hours.

Some of the light 202 produced by the light source 08 can according to one embodiment of the invention be guided directly to the front side of the illuminated sign. According to one embodiment of the invention the photoconductor 114, or an edge of the photoconductor, of an illuminated sign can be beveled, in which case the light of the light sources diffracts from the point of the bevel onto the front side of the illuminated sign more strongly than elsewhere from the photoconductor 14. In this way the bevel is distinguished from the other illuminated parts of the illuminated sign and the light sources 108 can be covered at the front part of the illuminated sign.

Fig. 3 presents the structure of an illuminated sign according to the invention, with its casing. The illuminated sign described in Figs. 1 and 2 can be encased in the manner presented in Fig. 3. The outer edges of an illuminated sign can be covered with a U-shaped profile 300. The rear part of the illuminated sign can be protected with a protective plate 302 of the rear part. Plastic or metal, for example, can be used as the material of the casing of the illuminated sign. The structure can also be made to be waterproof or splash-proof. The casing of the illuminated sign can also contain the necessary fixing points, with which the illuminated sign can be fixed into the desired location. The fixing points are not presented in the figure.

The illuminated sign can also be double-sided, in which case it can be formed e.g. from two illuminated signs presented by Fig. 1 fitted face-to-face. These can be encased in a shared casing. The casing can be the same type of structure formed from U-profile as the structure of Fig. 3 such that two illuminated signs facing in opposite directions are fitted inside the U-profile. Fig. 4 presents an illuminated sign according to the invention, in which the illuminable patterning is formed on the surface containing a light-storing substance. In this solution the surface 112 containing a light-storing substance that is on the rear side of the photoconductor 114 is only partly coated with the light- storing substance. The patterning of the illuminated sign is thus formed from the color difference and luminosity difference of the area coated with a light-storing substance and the uncoated area because the areas emit light in a different way. The pattern of the illuminated sign can be formed by leaving e.g. the text of the sign or an area formed by the pattern uncoated with a light-storing substance. In the embodiment of Fig. 4, an area uncoated with a light-storing substance has been left on the surface 112 that contains a light-storing substance, which uncoated area forms the text "EXIT". It is also possible to form the text or pattern in the opposite way, i.e. by coating just the area covered by the text or pattern with a light-storing substance.

Fig. 5 presents an illuminated sign according to the invention, in which the illuminable patterning is formed in connection with a protective plate 106, e.g. on its inside surface or outside surface, or in the center of the plate. In this solution the surface 112 containing a light-storing substance is completely coated with the light-storing substance and it illuminates the patterning that is in connection with the protective plate 106. In the embodiment of Fig. 5 the text "EXIT" is formed on the surface of the protective plate 106. The patterning can be formed on the surface e.g. with tape, with colored plastic or in some other corresponding manner.

In one embodiment of the invention it is possible to fit the patterning onto the front surface or rear surface of the photoconductor 14 or in front of the surface 112 containing a light-storing substance.

In one embodiment of the invention the surface containing a light-storing substance can be formed by painting any of the surfaces of the illuminated sign, e.g. the front surface or rear surface of the photoconductor 114, with paint containing a light-storing substance. The light-storing substance can also be at least partly transparent. In this case the light-storing substance can be arranged on the front side or rear side of the photoconductor 114, in the center of the photoconductor 114 or on the protective plate 106.

In one embodiment of the invention the pattern of an illuminated sign can be formed from the shape of the illuminated sign or of the surface 112 containing a light-storing substance. The shape of the illuminated sign or of the light-storing surface 112 can be e.g. like an arrow or some other corresponding shape that guides.

Fig. 6 presents an illuminated sign system according to the invention. The system is formed from a number of illuminated signs 600, 602, 604, 606 according to the invention and from a control device 614. An individual illuminated sign 600 comprises, as in the earlier embodiments, a surface 610 that contains a light- storing substance, a front profile 612 and also lenses 608 or holes through which the light of the light sources 08 can be directly conducted.

According to one embodiment of the invention the light sources can surround the whole illuminated sign such as in the embodiment of Fig. 6. In this case the light of the light sources can be guided directly onto the front side of the illuminated sign in the area of the edges or of the sides of the whole illuminated sign. The light sources 108 can also be arranged such that the light sources 108 are disposed only on one edge of the illuminated sign or of the pattern of the illuminated sign or in the center of the illuminated sign or as a part of the pattern of the illuminated sign. By means of the control device 614 of the illuminated sign system the illuminated signs of the system or the individual light sources can be controlled. The control device 614 of the system can be disposed in connection with an illuminated sign or it can be separate from the illuminated sign or the illuminated signs operating via a wireline or wireless connection 616. One control device can control one or more illuminated signs. A control device can also be connected to just one illuminated sign, which conducts or conveys control information to the other illuminated signs of the system.

An illuminated sign and an illuminated sign system can have different modes, e.g. static and dynamic modes. In the static mode all the light sources 108 of an illuminated sign can be on continuously. In the dynamic mode the light sources By extinguishing and lighting the light sources 108, an impression of movement can be brought about. In this case people can be guided with, in addition to the pattern of the illuminated sign, light sources 108 to be lit and extinguished in a predefined manner, e.g. in the direction of travel of the "movement" of the light sources. Typically the impression of movement is brought about by controlling the light sources 108 in groups, in which movement is indicated by lighting the next light source and correspondingly extinguishing the previous one. All the light sources 108 of a certain illuminated sign or a number of illuminated signs can also be lit at one time and extinguished after this. When this function is repeated, flashing of the illuminated sign is achieved, which can fasten people's attention on the illuminated sign better than a static mode.

In one embodiment of the invention the system can light or extinguish the individual light sources of an individual illuminated sign. The light sources can also be lit or extinguished in groups.

In one embodiment of the invention the system can at one time light or extinguish all the light sources 108 of an individual illuminated sign and thus bring about an impression of movement. This can be done e.g. in the manner described in the following, wherein all the light sources 108 of an individual illuminated sign are lit when the light sources 108 of the previous illuminated sign are extinguished. In the example, the light sources of a first illuminated sign 600 are lit first and the light sources of the other illuminated signs are not in operation. When the light sources of the first illuminated sign 600 are extinguished, the light sources of the next illuminated sign 602 are lit. There are four modes in the example and when the system has gone through the modes it starts again from the first mode.

EXAMPLE OF THE MODES OF THE ILLUMINATED SIGN SYSTEM OF FIGURE

6:

MODE 1 (600 ON, 602 OFF, 604 OFF, 606 OFF) MODE 2 (600 OFF, 602 ON, 604 OFF, 606 OFF)

MODE 3 (600 OFF, 602 OFF, 604 ON, 606 OFF)

MODE 4 (600 OFF, 602 OFF, 604 OFF, 606 ON)

The illuminated sign system can be used e.g. in connection with a traffic control system, an emergency exit control system, an evacuation system or a fire alarm system and the control system of the systems in question can control the control device or illuminated signs of the illuminated sign system.

According to one embodiment of the invention the light sources 108 of an illuminated sign form the pattern of the illuminated sign. Fig. 7 presents the different modes of an illuminated sign 700 according to this type of embodiment of the invention. Fig. 7a describes the "Standby" mode, which presents the placement of the light sources 08 that are in the illuminated sign 700. The "Left" mode of Fig. 7b presents the illuminated sign 700 in a mode, in which the illuminated light sources 108 form a pattern, which presents an arrow pointing to the left. Correspondingly, the "Right" mode of Fig. 7c presents the illuminated sign 700 in a mode, in which an arrow pointing to the right is formed with the illuminated light sources 108. If the light sources 108 extinguish, or they are extinguished, the shape of the pattern last illuminated can be seen when the surface that is coated with a light-storing substance emits light from the area 710 of the light sources 108 that were last illuminated, as is presented in Fig. 7d. In the illuminated sign according to Fig. 7 the light sources 108 can also be disposed elsewhere than only on the outer edges of the illuminated sign and the light sources 108 can be embedded in the structure of the illuminated sign. Fig. 8 presents a simplified cross-section of the embodiment presented in Fig. 7. Apertures 805 are formed in the photoconductor 802 of the illuminated sign 700 and the light sources 108 are disposed at the point of these apertures. Thus at least a part of the light emitted by the light sources 108 is funneled into the photoconductor 802 via the edges 806 of the apertures 805 and this light is guided in the photoconductor 802 to the surface 804 of the illuminated sign containing a light-storing substance. The apertures 805 do not need to be formed through the photoconductor 802 but instead it is sufficient if the aperture is made only in one side of the photoconductor 802, e.g. such that the front surface of the photoconductor 802 can remain even. A protective plate 800 can be arranged on the front side of the photoconductor. The photoconductor 802 can be implemented such that the light emitted by the light sources 108 diffracts mainly to close to the light sources 108, in which case only the light-storing substance in the proximity of the light sources 108 is exposed to the light of the light sources 108. Thus after the light sources have extinguished the light-storing substance emits light only from the area of the light sources 108 that have been in operation and forms the same type of pattern as the light sources 108 that have been in operation. The surface 804 containing a light-storing substance can be completely or partly coated with a light-storing substance. If the surface 804 is only partly coated with the light-storing substance, it can be coated e.g. only around the light sources or only on the area of the pattern formed by the light sources, or the area containing a light-storing substance can be formed into the shape of the desired pattern.

According to one embodiment of the invention the surface of an illuminated sign can be covered with light sources 108 e.g. with the structure presented by Fig. 8. By lighting these light sources 108 in a certain way the desired pattern, e.g. an arrow, can be formed.

The invention thus relates to an illuminated sign, which comprises a translucent and light-diffracting photoconductor 114, and which comprises light-emitting light sources 108, which are arranged in connection with the photoconductor 114 such that the light emitted by them can be guided inside the photoconductor 114 such that at least a part of the light diffracts onto the front and/or rear surface of the photoconductor 114. A surface 112 containing a light-storing substance is arranged in connection with the photoconductor 114, which surface emits light for at least a certain time after the light sources are not in operation. According to one preferred embodiment a sign patterning or corresponding patterning is arranged in connection with the photoconductor 114 of an illuminated sign. According to one preferred embodiment the shape of the photoconductor 114 of an illuminated sign or the shape of the surface 1 2 containing a light-storing substance forms the sign pattern or corresponding pattern.

According to one preferred embodiment the light sources 108 of an illuminated sign are disposed so that they form a sign pattern or corresponding pattern.

According to one preferred embodiment the light sources 108 cover the surface of the illuminated sign and the desired pattern, e.g. an arrow, can be formed by lighting certain light sources 108, in which case when the light sources 108 extinguish the surface that is coated with a light-storing substance emits light from the area of the light sources 108 that were last illuminated.

According to one preferred embodiment the light sources 108 of an illuminated sign are semiconductor light sources, such as e.g. LED light sources.

According to one preferred embodiment the light-storing surface 112 of an illuminated sign is arranged in connection with the rear surface of the photoconductor 114. According to one preferred embodiment the surface 112 containing a light-storing substance of an illuminated sign illuminates the patterning arranged in connection with the surface or surfaces of the photoconductor.

According to one preferred embodiment at least one of the light sources 108 of an illuminated sign is arranged such that at least a part of the light emitted by it can be guided to the front side of the illuminated sign. According to one preferred embodiment the light sources 108 of an illuminated sign are arranged such that the light of the light sources is distinguished from the illuminated patterning. The edge of the photoconductor 114 of the illuminated sign of one preferred embodiment is beveled such that the light of the light sources is distinguished from the illuminated patterning or from the illuminated pattern formed by the shape of the illuminated sign. According to one preferred embodiment the surface 112 containing a light-storing substance of an illuminated sign is completely coated with a light-storing substance.

According to one preferred embodiment the patterning of an illuminated sign is arranged in connection with the front surface of the photoconductor 1 4.

According to one preferred embodiment the surface 112 containing a light-storing substance of an illuminated sign is partly coated with a light-storing substance. According to one preferred embodiment the patterning of the illuminated sign is formed from the color difference or luminosity difference of the area coated with a light-storing substance and the uncoated area.

According to one preferred embodiment the light-storing surface 1 2 of an illuminated sign is phosphorized.

According to one preferred embodiment the individual light sources 108 of an illuminated sign can be lit or extinguished singly or in groups. According to a second preferred embodiment the illuminated sign system comprises at least one illuminated sign and at least one control unit 614. The illuminated sign of the illuminated sign system is an illuminated sign according to claim 1 and the control unit 614 is fitted to control the light sources of the illuminated signs by lighting and by extinguishing them in a predetermined manner. According to one preferred embodiment the control unit 614 of the illuminated sign system is fitted to light and to extinguish at one time the light sources of at least one illuminated sign such that the light sources of contiguous or consecutive illuminated signs are lit and extinguished consecutively. According to one preferred embodiment the control unit 614 of the illuminated sign system is fitted to light and extinguish the light sources of one illuminated sign one at a time in a predetermined manner.

According to one preferred embodiment in the illuminated sign system control information is brought to an illuminated sign wirelessly or by wireline.

According to one preferred embodiment the illuminated sign system is controlled by a traffic control system, an emergency exit control system, an evacuation system or a fire alarm system.

It is obvious to the person skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the embodiments presented above, but that it can be varied within the scope of the claims presented below. The characteristic features possibly presented in the description in conjunction with other characteristic features can also, if necessary, be used separately to each other.

Claims

1. Illuminated sign, which illuminated sign comprises a translucent and light- diffracting photoconductor (114), and which comprises light-emitting light sources (108), which are arranged in connection with the photoconductor (114) such that the light emitted by them can be guided inside the photoconductor (114) such that at least a part of the light diffracts onto the front and/or rear surface of the photoconductor (114),

characterized in that

a surface (112) containing a light-storing substance is arranged in connection with the photoconductor (114), which surface emits light at least for a certain time after the light sources are not in operation. 2. Illuminated sign according to claim 1 , characterized in that a sign patterning or corresponding patterning is arranged in connection with the photoconductor (114).

3. Illuminated sign according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the shape of the photoconductor ( 14) or of the surface (112) containing a light-storing substance forms a sign pattern or corresponding pattern.

4. Illuminated sign according to any of claims 1 - 3, characterized in that the light sources (108) are disposed so that they form a sign pattern or corresponding pattern.

5. Illuminated sign according to any of claims 1 - 3, characterized in that the light sources (108) cover the surface of the illuminated sign and the desired pattern, e.g. an arrow, can be formed by lighting certain light sources (108), in which case when the light sources (108) extinguish the surface that is coated with a light-storing substance emits light from the area of the light sources (108) that were last illuminated.

6. Illuminated sign according to any of claims 1 - 5, characterized in that the light sources (108) are semiconductor light sources, such as e.g. LED light sources.

7. Illuminated sign according to any of claims 1 - 6, characterized in that the light-storing surface ( 12) is arranged in connection with the rear surface of the photoconductor (114). 8. Illuminated sign according to any of claims 1 - 7, characterized in that the surface (112) containing a light-storing substance illuminates the patterning arranged in connection with the surface or surfaces of the photoconductor.

9. Illuminated sign according to any of claims 1 - 8, characterized in that at least one of the light sources (108) is arranged such that at least a part of the light emitted by it can be guided to the front side of the illuminated sign.

10. Illuminated sign according to any of claims 1 - 9, characterized in that the light sources (108) are arranged such that the light of the light sources is distinguished from the illuminated patterning.

11. Illuminated sign according to any of claims 1 - 10, characterized in that the edge of the photoconductor (114) is beveled such that the light of the light sources is distinguished from the illuminated patterning or from the illuminated pattern formed by the shape of the illuminated sign. 2. Illuminated sign according to any of claims 1 - 11 , characterized in that the surface (112) containing a light-storing substance is completely coated with the light-storing substance.

13. Illuminated sign according to any of claims 1 - 12, characterized in that the patterning of the illuminated sign is arranged in connection with the front surface of the photoconductor (114). 14. Illuminated sign according to any of claims 1 - 13, characterized in that the surface (112) containing a light-storing substance is partly coated with the light-storing substance.

15. Illuminated sign according to any of claims 1 - 14, characterized in that the patterning of the illuminated sign is formed from the color difference or luminosity difference of the area coated with a light-storing substance and the uncoated area. 6. Illuminated sign according to any of claims 1 - 15, characterized in that the light-storing surface (112) is phosphorized.

17. Illuminated sign according to any of claims 1 - 16, characterized in that the individual light sources (108) of an illuminated sign can be lit or extinguished singly or in groups.

18. Illuminated sign system, which comprises at least one illuminated sign and at least one control unit (614),

characterized in that

the illuminated sign is an illuminated sign according to claim 1 and the control unit (614) is fitted to control the light sources of the illuminated signs by lighting and by extinguishing them in a predetermined manner. 9. Illuminated sign system according to claim 18, characterized in that the control unit (614) is fitted to light and to extinguish at one time the light sources of at least one illuminated sign such that the light sources of contiguous or consecutive illuminated signs are lit and extinguished consecutively.

20. Illuminated sign system according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that the control unit (614) is fitted to light and to extinguish one at a time the light sources of one illuminated sign in a predetermined manner. 21. Illuminated sign system according to any of claims 18 - 20, characterized in that the control information is brought to the illuminated sign wirelessly or by wireline.

22. Illuminated sign system according to any of claims 18 - 21 , characterized in that the illuminated sign system is controlled by a traffic control system, an emergency exit control system, an evacuation system or a fire alarm system.