Patent Grant
8111208
This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/416,856, filed on Apr. 1, 2009, pending, titled “Incident Light Management Devices and Related Methods and Systems,” assigned to the assignee of the present application.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to displaying images, more specifically, to displaying images on display boards and billboards.
2. State of the Art
Billboards and large signs have been used for many years to convey information to passersby such as advertising, traffic messages, and the like. Traditionally these signs and billboards were only capable of delivering a single message or advertisement. This message was generally printed on strips of paper that were then adhered to the billboard. To change the message, new paper needed to be printed and adhered to the billboard.
More recently, display boards and billboards have become electronic using lights, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and combinations of the two to display a visual message that could be easily adaptable to display a wide variety of messages in the form of words and images from the same sign without having to physically change the characteristics of the sign. These electronic boards can easily modify a graphic image or message to create video displays and modify the type of message or advertisement that is shown on the electronic board at regular intervals, or at targeted times depending on expected traffic near the sign, or public interest. These possible images are generally referred to herein as adaptable images.
While the adaptable images may be changed easily on these electronic boards, maintaining and servicing an electronic board with thousands (or even hundreds of thousands) of lights attached to the electronic boards can be problematic. Smaller removable panels, which may be tiled together, have been proposed to make this maintenance task easier. With smaller removable panels, a single panel may be removed for service or replacement.
Furthermore, removable panels create joints between the panels. These joints can be sources of misalignment between panels, which may cause an image that spans many panels to be distorted. In addition, these joints may lead to problems with protecting the LEDs, lights, circuit boards, and other electronic components from damage due to environmental factors.
Therefore, there is a need for an electronic display capable of displaying an adaptable image that can be easily serviced from both the front and the rear. Furthermore, there is a need for a modular design wherein the electronic display comprises a plurality of removable panels that are easily removable from both the front and rear for service or replacement. There is also a need to protect the electronic elements of the display apparatus and removable panels from environmental elements to increase the service life, reliability, and performance of the removable panels. In addition, there is a need for easily aligning these removable panels relative to each other to minimize image distortion for images that span multiple removable panels.
The present invention provides electronic display apparatuses and methods of making the apparatuses, as well as removable panels configured as portions of a modular design for the electronic displays, wherein the removable panels may be attached and removed from both the front and rear of the electronic display. The removable panels may also be configured for attachment to a frame in such a manner that electronic elements are substantially protected from potentially damaging environmental elements.
One embodiment of the present invention comprises a display module for displaying an adaptable image or a portion of an adaptable image. The display module includes a removable panel including a plurality of apertures formed through the removable panel. The plurality of apertures are arranged as at least one pixel row comprising a plurality of pixel arrangements distributed along the at least one pixel row. Each pixel arrangement includes at least one aperture of the plurality of apertures. The display module also includes a plurality of coupling devices attached to the removable panel. The coupling devices are configured for detachably coupling the removable panel to a frame member, wherein the coupling devices may be operated to attach or remove the removable panel. Furthermore, the coupling devices are configured such that they can be operated from a front side of the removable panel or from a back side of the removable panel.
Another embodiment of the present invention comprises display apparatus for displaying an adaptable image. The display apparatus includes a plurality of frame members to form a frame for the display apparatus and a plurality of display modules configured for displaying an adaptable image or a portion of an adaptable image. The display module includes a removable panel including a plurality of apertures formed through the removable panel. The plurality of apertures is arranged as at least one pixel row comprising a plurality of pixel arrangements distributed along the at least one pixel row. Each pixel arrangement includes at least one aperture of the plurality of apertures. The display module also includes a plurality of coupling devices attached to the removable panel. The coupling devices are configured for detachably coupling the removable panel to a frame member, wherein the coupling devices may be operated to attach or remove the removable panel. Furthermore, the coupling devices are configured such that they can be operated from a front side of the removable panel or from a back side of the removable panel. In addition, each display module of the plurality of display modules is coupled to at least one of the frame members to form a matrix organization of display modules for the display apparatus.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention comprises a method of making a display apparatus, comprising forming a removable panel and forming a plurality of apertures through the removable panel such that the plurality of apertures is arranged in at least one pixel row. Each pixel row includes a plurality of pixel arrangements distributed along the pixel row wherein each pixel arrangement includes at least one of the plurality of apertures. The method also includes attaching a plurality of coupling devices to the removable panel, wherein the coupling devices are configured for detachable coupling to a frame member. Furthermore, the coupling devices are configured such that they can be operated from a front side of the removable panel or from a back side of the removable panel.
In the drawings, which illustrate what is currently considered to be the best mode for carrying out the invention:
The present invention provides apparatuses and methods of making the apparatuses for electronic displays and removable panels configured as portions of a modular design for the electronic displays, wherein the removable panels may be attached and removed from both the front and rear of the electronic display. The removable panels may also be configured for attachment to a frame such that electronic elements are substantially protected from potentially damaging environmental elements.
In the representative embodiments illustrated herein, the display module 100 includes a horizontal fin 140 (which may also be referred to herein as a louver) disposed above each pixel row 120 for shading the LEDs. The horizontal fin 140 creates a means for shading the pixel arrangements 130 from direct sunlight when installed outdoors, or from overhead light when installed indoors. Consequently, the horizontal fin 140 enables a higher contrast ratio, which may assist in viewing the billboard and making an adaptable image appear as if it includes greater intensity and more vibrant colors. In addition, the horizontal fins 140 may assist in drawing heat away from the LEDs and circuitry mounted behind the removable panel 110. In the representative embodiments illustrated herein, the removable panel 110 is formed of plastic with the horizontal fins 140 also formed of plastic and as an integral part of the removable panel 110. However, the horizontal fins 140 may be formed separately and, for example, be overlayed onto the front of the removable panel 110. Embodiments of the present invention also may be formed of a dark colored material, which may further enhance the contrast ratio.
The removable panel 110 includes a front side 150, a back side 152, a protrusion 162 (shown in more detail in
For attachment, the representative embodiment of the removable panel 110 illustrated in
Of course, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other pixel arrangements 130 are contemplated within the scope of the present invention. For example, a pixel arrangement 130 may include a single hole for a single light element or two holes for two light elements such as, for example, LEDs. Such a configuration of one or two LEDs may be used for a monochrome display, or may be configured with multi-color LEDs for each pixel, such that a multi-color display may be achieved even from a single LED for each pixel. In the representative embodiments illustrated herein, three holes are used for a pixel arrangement 130 such that the light from a red LED, a green LED, and a blue LED may be combined to generate any possible color for a full color spectrum video display capable of showing still images and video images using conventional computer color maps. In addition, in some cases it may be desirable to include different colors of LEDs, or include more than one LED of the same color. As a result, pixel arrangements 130 may also include four or more apertures 135 for including a variety of LED colors.
As mentioned previously, the removable panels (110L and 110R) include a right side protrusion 158 and a left side protrusion 160 at the sides of the removable panels (110L and 110R). The right side protrusion 158 and the left side protrusion 160 are configured such that they can abut against each other and both protrusions 158, 160 can fit at least partially inside of the vertical channel 220. This abutting arrangement, and the disposition inside the vertical channel 220 substantially aligns multiple removable panels 110 in the vertical direction of the overall display apparatus 200, as well as the depth of placement relative to the face of the frame member 210 (i.e., vertically in the cross-sectional drawing). In addition, the abutting arrangement and disposition in the vertical channel 220 creates a seal that provides substantial protection from encroachment of water, air, and other contaminants along the left sides and right sides of the removable panels 110.
To form an enhanced seal, a gasket 225 may be disposed in the vertical channel 220 prior to disposing the right side protrusion 158 and left side protrusion 160 in the vertical channel 220. This gasket 225 may be formed of any partially deformable material suitable for accepting the right side and left side protrusions (158 and 160) and making a substantially watertight seal, such as, for example, any suitable sealant, caulking, foam, rubber gasket, or other gasket-type material.
Also illustrated in
The representative embodiment of the coupling devices 190 illustrated in
Furthermore, the representative embodiment of the coupling devices 190 illustrated in
In a dry fit configuration, this shingle-type arrangement creates a seal that provides substantial protection from water, air, and contaminant encroachment along the top sides and bottom sides of the removable panels 110. For additional protection, a sealant (not shown) may be applied between the upper removable panel 110U and the lower removable panel 110L, or between the protrusion 162 and the receiving rim 164, to provide a more robust seal. The sealant may be any suitable sealant, caulking, foam, or gasket type material that can form a substantially watertight seal.
In many conventional display boards using LEDs 310, the circuit board 300 bearing the LEDs 310 is covered with a potting material to cover the circuit board 300 and the lower portions of the LEDs 310. This potting material may act to protect the LEDs 310 and circuit board 300 from environmental elements. However, potting material on the circuit board, around the ICs, components and the leads of the LEDs increases thermal resistance, impeding heat transfer away into the air. Furthermore, when LEDs 310 are soldered into a circuit board 300, there may be misalignment between neighboring LEDs 310 and the LEDs 310 may be mounted at a slight angle. This angle and misalignment may be noticeable to a viewer and may create patterning in an overall image. Finally, potting materials generally have a relatively low durometer value. As a result, the potting material may not be stiff enough to hold the LEDs firmly in place to prevent additional misalignment from fabrication and handling processes.
Representative embodiments of the present invention use the more precise placement of the apertures 135 in the removable panel 110 for precise positioning and placement of the LEDs 310 installed on the circuit board 300.
Finally,
In one representative embodiment, a silicon sealant is disposed in the recess 170. The silicon sealant, as well as other suitable sealants, may also provide some adhering characteristics to assist in holding the circuit board 300 in place relative to the removable panel 110. Some representative embodiments may use the sealant 175 as a means for holding the circuit board 300 in place against the removable panel 110. With these embodiments, a simple punch device may be used to push on the fronts of the LEDs 310 to separate the circuit board 300 from the removable panel 110 such that the circuit board 300 may be easily repaired or replaced.
Keeping the LEDs 310 cool provides additional life to the LEDs 310 and enables the LEDs 310 to retain their color characteristics with less degradation of color hue and intensity. By leaving the base of the LEDs 310, the leads of the LEDs 310, the circuit board 300 and components exposed to ambient air, heat may be more readily drawn away from the LEDs 310 to keep them relatively cool.
In
While not illustrated, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the removable panels 110 will be operably wired together and coupled to a controller configured for operating each of the removable panels 110, each of the pixels on each removable panel 110, and each color element LED within each pixel. Many wiring options may be possible, such as, for example, a serial connection between all of the panels such that the panels are essentially daisy-chained together. Furthermore, many controller configurations are possible for controlling the LEDs 310 and defining what adaptable images, in the form of still images or video, may be displayed on the display apparatus.
Although this invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, the invention is not limited to these described embodiments. Rather, the invention is limited only by the appended claims, which include within their scope all equivalent devices or methods that operate according to the principles of the invention as described.
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