The present invention generally relates to the field of backlit display systems. In particular, the present invention is directed to backlit display systems with localized color-changing capability.
Backlit graphical displays include a translucent layer that contains a graphic for display and a light-source behind the translucent layer for illuminating the translucent layer. The light-source is commonly called a “light box.” Backlit graphical displays are used in a variety of applications, often for providing high-resolution, colorful, and bright signage in commercial spaces, such as commercial buildings, retail spaces, and outdoor spaces. The graphics on the translucent layer can be printed at a very high resolution, for example, as high as current printing technology allows, such as 2400 dpi, resulting in a high-resolution graphic. The graphical design on the translucent layer is static.
In one implementation, the present disclosure is directed to a backlit graphical display. The display includes a display having a display surface, the display including a plurality of pixels for displaying images based on video data received by the display; and an optically transmissive layer having a static image printed thereon, the optically transmissive layer positioned in front of the display surface, wherein the display colorizes the static image according to the video data.
In another implementation, the present disclosure is directed to a method of providing a backlit display. The method includes providing a display having a display surface; positioning an optically transmissive layer in front of the display surface, the optically transmissive layer having an image printed thereon; and colorizing the image with the display according to video data received by the display.
In yet another implementation, the present disclosure is directed to a method. The methods includes providing an optically transmissive layer having a translucent static image printed thereon; and creating video data according to the static image for use in colorizing the static image with an electronic display.
For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawings show aspects of one or more embodiments of the invention. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the drawings, wherein:
Aspects of the present disclosure include backlit graphical display systems that include an optically transmissive layer having one or more static images printed thereon for display, and a display located behind the optically transmissive layer configured to colorize specific regions of the image printed on the optically transmissive layer. In one example, the display is a pixelated high resolution color display. And in some examples, the display is capable of forming a color image for display independently of the translucent layer. For example, the display may be a video display capable of displaying high resolution static images or video. The optically transmissive layer can be directly or indirectly coupled to a front surface of the display. By securing an optically transmissive layer with a static image to the front surface of a display, the system is capable of providing a backlit display having a very high resolution static shape with dynamic and uniform color and light intensity capability.
Display 102 can have any of a variety of constructions known in the art for displays capable of displaying video content, such as an LED, LCD, or plasma display. As indicated in the detail view in
The makeup of display 102 can, therefore, vary depending on the specific type of display used. By way of example only, in the case of a backlit LCD, example components located within housing 103 may include, inter alia, a backlight, diffuser, polarizer, and LCD panel. In the case of a plasma display, components inside housing 103 may include a rear plate glass, plasma panel, and front plate glass. And in the case of a solid state light source display, solid state light sources such as light emitting diodes (LEDs), organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), polymer LEDs (PLEDs), or organic light emitting compounds (OLECs).
Optically transmissive layer 106 may have a variety of different constructions. In one example, optically transmissive layer 106 may be a film that may be made of materials including, but not limited to, polyvinyl chloride, polyolefin materials (e.g., polyethylene or polypropylene), polyester, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polycarbonate (PC), polyimide (PI), polysulfone (PSO), polyphenylene ether sulfone (PES), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyamide (PA), polyurethane (PUR), melamine, acrylic, rubbers, and glass. Optically transmissive layer 106 may be a uniform sheet configured to be removably attached to display 102, or a woven fabric sheet configured to be stretched to the size of the display and removably attached. Examples of commercially available materials that may be used for optically transmissive layer 106 include Kodak's Universal Backlit Film, DURATRANS film, LUMIFABRIC™ from Evo Lite (http://www.evo-lite.com/), and LYTESTRETCH™ from Blue River Digital (http://www.blueriverdigital.com/). Any of a variety of attachment techniques known in the art may be used to removably position optically transmissive layer 106 proximate to display 102, including via an adhesive layer, a mechanical clamping or closure mechanism, incorporation of a bead along the perimeter of the layer configured to be disposed in a correspondingly-shaped channel in display 102, etc. In some implementations optically transmissive layer 106 may be attached directly to display 102, or in other implementations the optically transmissive layer may be spaced from the display. At least a portion of optically transmissive layer 106 may be imageable by any one or more of a variety of suitable imaging processes including, but not limited to, electrostatic printing, ink jet printing, screen printing, dye sublimation, etc., which can result in a very high resolution image, such as an image printed at 2400 dpi.
In the illustrated example, substantially all of optically transmissive layer 106 is translucent and is designed to transmit light emitted by display 102. In other examples, only a portion of the optically transmissive layer is translucent. For example, only the portion of optically transmissive layer 106 where static image 108 is located may be translucent and other portions of the optically transmissive layer may be opaque, such as my application of an opaque ink or other material.
In the illustrated example, backlit display 100 does not include a diffusion layer located between display 102 and optically transmissive layer 106. In some examples, the optically transmissive layer 106 may be in direct contact with display surface 104, and in some cases, there may be minimal spacing therebetween, such as, for example, a spacing that is approximately the same as the pixel pitch of the display. In some examples, there may be a minimum spacing between display 102 and optically transmissive layer 106, e.g., approximately the same or less than a pixel pitch of the display, but no separate light guide or diffusion component located between the display and optically transmissive layer such as a light guide plate or diffusion sheet. In other examples, such light guide or diffusion components may be added. In one example, display surface 104 may be a high-resolution pixelated surface such that minimal diffusion is required to uniformly colorize static image 108 and the diffusion that occurs in optically transmissive layer 106 is sufficient for uniform coloring. In some examples, a spacing between optically transmissive layer 106 and display surface 104 may be determined based on one or more of a transmissivity and optical diffusion characteristic of the optically transmissive layer, and a pixel pitch of the display surface. In one example, the spacing is minimized when the transmissivity of the optically transmissive layer is increased. For example, optically transmissive layer 106 and display surface 104 may be substantially in direct contact when a transparent optically transmissive layer 106 is used.
In the illustrated example, image 108 also includes image details which include lines defining the outer boundary of the image, such as the outer boundary of t-shirt 204 and cloud 208. As will be appreciated, the extent of image details can vary greatly and can be quite extensive and complex. For example, in the case of a drawing, image details may include lines indicating shading, surface contour, and additional features of the image, such as, for example, in the case of t-shirt 204, logos, stitching, buttons, etc. In the case of a photograph, image details can include any additional details conveyed in a photograph of, for example, surface folds, contours, etc. that are visible in a photograph of a t-shirt being worn by a person. In the illustrated example, at least t-shirt 204 and cloud 208 are printed in greyscale, which is indicated in
Referring to
In
At step 306, the image data that was used to create the video data can also be used to print an image according to the image data on an optically transmissive layer, such as optically transmissive layer 106. At step 308, the optically transmissive layer with image printed thereon can be removably coupled to or otherwise positioned in front of a display, and at step 310, the video data created in step 304 may be provided to the display, causing the display to display video, thereby colorizing and illuminating the optically transmissive layer.
Any one or more of the aspects and embodiments described herein may be conveniently implemented using one or more machines (e.g., one or more computing devices that are utilized as a user computing device for an electronic document, one or more server devices, such as a document server, etc.) programmed according to the teachings of the present specification, as will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the computer art. Appropriate software coding can readily be prepared by skilled programmers based on the teachings of the present disclosure, as will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the software art. Aspects and implementations discussed above employing software and/or software modules may also include appropriate hardware for assisting in the implementation of the machine executable instructions of the software and/or software module.
Such software may be a computer program product that employs a machine-readable storage medium. A machine-readable storage medium may be any medium that is capable of storing and/or encoding a sequence of instructions for execution by a machine (e.g., a computing device) and that causes the machine to perform any one of the methodologies and/or embodiments described herein. Examples of a machine-readable storage medium include, but are not limited to, a magnetic disk, an optical disc (e.g., CD, CD-R, DVD, DVD-R, etc.), a magneto-optical disk, a read-only memory “ROM” device, a random access memory “RAM” device, a magnetic card, an optical card, a solid-state memory device, an EPROM, an EEPROM, and any combinations thereof. A machine-readable medium, as used herein, is intended to include a single medium as well as a collection of physically separate media, such as, for example, a collection of compact discs or one or more hard disk drives in combination with a computer memory. As used herein, a machine-readable storage medium does not include transitory forms of signal transmission.
Such software may also include information (e.g., data) carried as a data signal on a data carrier, such as a carrier wave. For example, machine-executable information may be included as a data-carrying signal embodied in a data carrier in which the signal encodes a sequence of instruction, or portion thereof, for execution by a machine (e.g., a computing device) and any related information (e.g., data structures and data) that causes the machine to perform any one of the methodologies and/or embodiments described herein.
Examples of a computing device include, but are not limited to, an electronic book reading device, a computer workstation, a terminal computer, a server computer, a handheld device (e.g., a tablet computer, a smartphone, etc.), a web appliance, a network router, a network switch, a network bridge, any machine capable of executing a sequence of instructions that specify an action to be taken by that machine, and any combinations thereof. In one example, a computing device may include and/or be included in a kiosk.
Memory 408 may include various components (e.g., machine-readable media) including, but not limited to, a random access memory component, a read only component, and any combinations thereof. In one example, a basic input/output system 416 (BIOS), including basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within computer system 400, such as during start-up, may be stored in memory 408. Memory 408 may also include (e.g., stored on one or more machine-readable media) instructions (e.g., software) 420 embodying any one or more of the aspects and/or methodologies of the present disclosure. In another example, memory 408 may further include any number of program modules including, but not limited to, an operating system, one or more application programs, other program modules, program data, and any combinations thereof.
Computer system 400 may also include a storage device 424. Examples of a storage device (e.g., storage device 424) include, but are not limited to, a hard disk drive, a magnetic disk drive, an optical disc drive in combination with an optical medium, a solid-state memory device, and any combinations thereof. Storage device 424 may be connected to bus 412 by an appropriate interface (not shown). Example interfaces include, but are not limited to, SCSI, advanced technology attachment (ATA), serial ATA, universal serial bus (USB), IEEE 1394 (FIREWIRE), and any combinations thereof. In one example, storage device 424 (or one or more components thereof) may be removably interfaced with computer system 400 (e.g., via an external port connector (not shown)). Particularly, storage device 424 and an associated machine-readable medium 428 may provide nonvolatile and/or volatile storage of machine-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, and/or other data for computer system 400. In one example, software 420 may reside, completely or partially, within machine-readable medium 428. In another example, software 420 may reside, completely or partially, within processor 404.
Computer system 400 may also include an input device 432. In one example, a user of computer system 400 may enter commands and/or other information into computer system 400 via input device 432. Examples of an input device 432 include, but are not limited to, an alpha-numeric input device (e.g., a keyboard), a pointing device, a joystick, a gamepad, an audio input device (e.g., a microphone, a voice response system, etc.), a cursor control device (e.g., a mouse), a touchpad, an optical scanner, a video capture device (e.g., a still camera, a video camera), a touchscreen, and any combinations thereof. Input device 432 may be interfaced to bus 412 via any of a variety of interfaces (not shown) including, but not limited to, a serial interface, a parallel interface, a game port, a USB interface, a FIREWIRE interface, a direct interface to bus 412, and any combinations thereof. Input device 432 may include a touch screen interface that may be a part of or separate from display 436, discussed further below. Input device 432 may be utilized as a user selection device for selecting one or more graphical representations in a graphical interface as described above.
A user may also input commands and/or other information to computer system 400 via storage device 424 (e.g., a removable disk drive, a flash drive, etc.) and/or network interface device 440. A network interface device, such as network interface device 440, may be utilized for connecting computer system 400 to one or more of a variety of networks, such as network 444, and one or more remote devices 448 connected thereto. Examples of a network interface device include, but are not limited to, a network interface card (e.g., a mobile network interface card, a LAN card), a modem, and any combination thereof. Examples of a network include, but are not limited to, a wide area network (e.g., the Internet, an enterprise network), a local area network (e.g., a network associated with an office, a building, a campus or other relatively small geographic space), a telephone network, a data network associated with a telephone/voice provider (e.g., a mobile communications provider data and/or voice network), a direct connection between two computing devices, and any combinations thereof. A network, such as network 444, may employ a wired and/or a wireless mode of communication. In general, any network topology may be used. Information (e.g., data, software 420, etc.) may be communicated to and/or from computer system 400 via network interface device 440.
Computer system 400 may further include a video display adapter 452 for communicating a displayable image to a display device, such as display device 436. Examples of a display device include, but are not limited to, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a cathode ray tube (CRT), a plasma display, a light emitting diode (LED) display, and any combinations thereof. Display adapter 452 and display device 436 may be utilized in combination with processor 404 to provide graphical representations of aspects of the present disclosure. In addition to a display device, computer system 400 may include one or more other peripheral output devices including, but not limited to, an audio speaker, a printer, and any combinations thereof. Such peripheral output devices may be connected to bus 412 via a peripheral interface 456. Examples of a peripheral interface include, but are not limited to, a serial port, a USB connection, a FIREWIRE connection, a parallel connection, and any combinations thereof.
The foregoing has been a detailed description of illustrative embodiments of the invention. It is noted that in the present specification and claims appended hereto, conjunctive language such as is used in the phrases “at least one of X, Y and Z” and “one or more of X, Y, and Z,” unless specifically stated or indicated otherwise, shall be taken to mean that each item in the conjunctive list can be present in any number exclusive of every other item in the list or in any number in combination with any or all other item(s) in the conjunctive list, each of which may also be present in any number. Applying this general rule, the conjunctive phrases in the foregoing examples in which the conjunctive list consists of X, Y, and Z shall each encompass: one or more of X; one or more of Y; one or more of Z; one or more of X and one or more of Y; one or more of Y and one or more of Z; one or more of X and one or more of Z; and one or more of X, one or more of Y and one or more of Z.
Various modifications and additions can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. Features of each of the various embodiments described above may be combined with features of other described embodiments as appropriate in order to provide a multiplicity of feature combinations in associated new embodiments. Furthermore, while the foregoing describes a number of separate embodiments, what has been described herein is merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. Additionally, although particular methods herein may be illustrated and/or described as being performed in a specific order, the ordering is highly variable within ordinary skill to achieve aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, this description is meant to be taken only by way of example, and not to otherwise limit the scope of this invention.
Exemplary embodiments have been disclosed above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, omissions and additions may be made to that which is specifically disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/349,378, filed Jun. 13, 2016, and titled Backlit Display Systems With Localized Color-Changing Capability, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62349378 | Jun 2016 | US |