Electro optical symbol emitting and recognition device

A system for automatically selecting from a matrix of symbols a given symbol corresponding to a predetermined input signal and for selectively outputting an image corresponding to said symbol, comprising:

• a source of light, a symbol matrix comprising a two dimensional array of a plurality of symbols each of which is capable of transmitting light in a pattern corresponding to the respective symbol, a gate matrix comprising a two dimensional array of a plurality of optical gating devices each of which is normally opaque and capable of being rendered selectively transparent in response to a first control signal, a position selector matrix comprising a two dimensional array of a plurality of optical gating devices each of which is normally opaque and capable of being rendered selectively transparent in response to a second control signal, a symbol display device having an input side capable of receiving an image of a given symbol in anyone of a plurality of input positions corresponding to the position of an image projected thereon from said light source through one of the symbols on the symbol matrix, as determined by a selected one of the optical gating devices of the gate matrix, and having an output side which is capable of projecting said image simultaneously onto a plurality of the gating devices of said optical position selector matrix, and a central processor including means for producing a first signal for selectively rendering transparent a selected one of the normally opaque gating devices of said gate matrix opposite a selected symbol of said symbol matrix, thereby projecting an image of said symbol onto said position selector, and means for producing a second signal for selectively rendering transparent a selected one of the gating devices of said position selector matrix, thereby projecting an image corresponding to said selected symbol to an output medium in a selected output position.