Patent Application
20130335313
The present invention is directed to display devices, display systems, and display processes. More specifically, the present invention is directed to light emitting mobile devices, systems, and display processes.
It is well known that an illusion of larger image can be created by aligning a plurality of cards, such as is done in the formation of a mosaic. This concept has been employed in stadiums to produce images within a spectator portion of the stadium. For example, in one known display of these cards, each card was a rigid flat panel including a printed image that is a portion of a larger image to be assembled. The spectators received assigned cards corresponding to their seats in the stadium. Such printed displays have substantial limitations with regard to brightness or resolution. Furthermore, such printed displays are not capable of displaying sequences of moving images, and cannot be used quickly to display real-time data.
Known electronic display screens have been used in stadiums for display of enlarged digital images, particularly for advertising on billboards and similar structures. These electronic display screens suffer from the drawback of requiring externally supplied central power and/or consolidated control. Also, these electronic display screens do not foster interactive participation in the display by the spectator crowd.
A mobile untethered display device, a system for creating a display, and a process of creating a display, that do not suffer from one or more of the above drawbacks would be desirable in the art.
In an exemplary embodiment, a process of creating a display having an illusion of a continuous image includes providing image data to a first spectator display device, the first spectator display device including one or more light emitting elements, providing image data to a second spectator display device, and activating at least one of the one or more light emitting elements based upon the image data. The first spectator display device is a mobile untethered device positioned within a spectator region of a venue.
In another exemplary embodiment, a system for creating a display having an illusion of a continuous image includes a first spectator display device is a mobile untethered device including one or more light emitting elements, a second spectator display device, and a controller capable of providing image data to one or both of the first spectator display device and the second spectator display device. At least one of the one or more light emitting elements is capable of being activated based upon the image data. At least a portion of the first spectator display device is positioned within a spectator region of a venue.
In another exemplary embodiment, a spectator display device for creating a display in a venue includes one or more light emitting elements capable of being activated upon receiving image data. The spectator display device is positioned within a spectator region of the venue and the image data corresponds with a portion of the display.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the preferred embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.
Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to represent the same parts.
Provided is a mobile untethered display device, a system for creating a display, and a process of creating a display. Embodiments of the present disclosure create an illusion of a continuous image, create an illusion of three-dimensional objects or images, provide a higher quality graphic display with the desired level of brightness and resolution of an enlarged digital image (in comparison to printed display cards), permit still and/or moving images to be displayed as an array within a spectator region of a venue, foster spectator participation in creating an arrayed display, and permit display of complex image sequences through independent control of hand-held electronic display devices, or combinations thereof.
According to an embodiment,
At least a portion of the spectator positions 108 includes one or more of the spectator display devices 106. In one embodiment, each spectator display device 106 is electronically assigned the corresponding spectator position 108 display coordinates within an array map. In one embodiment, the tracking system is used to electronically detect or tag and track the position of the spectator display devices 106. The tracking system includes suitable positioning and tracking equipment, components or devices such as radio-frequency identification (RFID), wi-fi radios, local area network (LAN), wireless local area network (WLAN), wireless access point or hotspot, router, networked wireless detectors, digital camera, geotracking software, tracking algorithms, global positioning system (GPS), assisted global positioning system (AGPS), cellular towers, or other local positioning systems.
In one embodiment, display coordinates corresponding to a row and column seat number for one or more individual spectator positions 108, such as 8A, 8B, 8C, 9A, 9B, 9C, for example, create the array map. An example of such display coordinates that are used to create the display 100 includes display coordinates corresponding to seat numbers 18CC (seat corresponding to row 18, column CC, see
In one embodiment, the position detection of the spectator display devices 106 includes sensing input data corresponding to the device location, device orientation, and density of the devices 106 within a spectator region 102. The device location data corresponds to a relative position of the spectator display device 106 within the venue 104. The device orientation data includes information regarding whether the spectator display device 106 is in portrait or landscape orientation, or the angular orientation relative to a center point, for example, or a combination thereof. The device density data includes information identifying the number and spacing of available spectator display devices 106 within a given spectator region 102.
In one embodiment, the spectator display device 106 is configured to download a positioning software application or to access a venue website with a positioning link, for example, through an internet browser, mobile application, text message, or combination thereof. A suitable positioning software application enables a user to input the seat number of their spectator positions 108 into the spectator display device 106. A suitable venue website positioning link enables a user to input or confirm the seat number of their spectator positions 108. Other suitable positioning software applications utilize bar codes, for example, within the venue 104 and/or on credentials, such as tickets and/or any identifiable information and/or image on such credentials.
In one embodiment, the spectator display device 106 includes detection devices (for example, a digital camera, GPS sensor, AGPS software, or a combination thereof) to detect the location of the spectator device 106 that corresponds to a relative position within the venue 104. The camera communicates an image taken within the venue 104 to a suitable processing device, such as a remote server, for example. The remote server processes the venue image with image recognition software and/or algorithms to detect the relative position of the spectator display device 106 within the venue 104.
In one embodiment, the spectator display device 106 includes suitable motion sensing devices such as a digital electronic compass, an accelerometer, or a gyroscope, for example, or combinations thereof, that provide device orientation data. A suitable motion sensing device provides full nine degrees-of-freedom (DoF) motion sensing. In one embodiment, the spectator display device 106 includes a location controller that receives the device orientation data from the motion sensing devices. In one embodiment, the location controller provides the device orientation data to the tracking system.
In one embodiment, the tracking system is configured to provide image display optimization based upon the device orientation data, device location data, and device density data detected. For example, the tracking system includes feedback capabilities that detect irregular positions of the spectator display device 106 and modifies the image data transmitted, detects if an assigned spectator display device is not located in the corresponding spectator position, detects if a spectator position no longer has a spectator display device, detects if the spectator display device ceases functioning, detects if an assigned spectator display device is oriented at a improper angle relative to a focal point in the venue 104, detects if portions of the array map within the spectator region 102 have a low density or a high density of available spectator display devices 106, reprocesses and adjusts the image data provided in order to maintain the display image in spite of the irregularities, or a combination thereof.
The tracking system executes any suitable response in view of the detected condition. Suitable responses include, but are not limited to, (for example, if the assigned spectator display device is positioned slightly off from the position desired relative to the corresponding spectator position), adjusting the image data provided to that spectator display device in order to maintain the display image. In one embodiment, the response includes (for example, if a portion of the array map within the spectator region 102 has a low density detected), reprocessing and adjusting the image data provided to the spectator region 102 in order to maintain the display, providing less image data to the low density portion and more image data to the high density portion, providing image data only to the high density portion, providing image data to create a display 100 customized according to the density distribution within the spectator region 102, or combinations thereof.
The spectator region 102 is located in any suitable venue 104 and is an area capable of arranging people in a configuration desirable for viewing an event, such as a sporting or entertainment event. Examples include a sports stadium, concert, or other performance facility. The spectator region 102 is located in any suitable environment, such as outdoors, exposed to ambient conditions, indoors, underwater, or partially exposed, for example, or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the individual spectator positions 108 are arranged and disposed within the spectator region 102 with the rows or seating positioned in any suitable arrangement, such as multi-level, staggered, tiered, curved, or single-level, for example, or combinations thereof.
The display 100 forms any suitable image. Suitable images include, but are not limited to, an illusion of a continuous image (for example, when viewed from a suitable distance within and/or beyond the venue 104), a suitable three-dimensional image, a landscape image, a portrait image, a text image, a text string image, or a combination thereof.
The spectator-mounted display 114 fosters participation by the spectator 116. The spectator display devices 106 are mobile, configured to create the display 100 while in motion, receive instructions directing the spectator 116 to move to a predetermined location within the venue 102 at a predetermined time (for example, a flash mob in a concession area), receive instructions directing the spectator 116 to move and reposition their spectator display devices 106 in a sequence to create a suitable motion display 100 (for example, a wave, a sequence of choreographed movements, swaying, or any other movement), receive audio signals (for example, music that plays in sync with the image displayed), or any combination thereof.
Referring to
The spectator display device 106 includes any suitable mobile communication device (for example, a smart phone, cell phone, personal digital assistant, media player, tablet computer, notebook computer, or laptop computer) configured for wireless communication. In one embodiment, the spectator display devices 106 are powered from a local power source, such as one or more batteries arranged and disposed therein. In one embodiment, the spectator display devices 106 are mobile untethered units. As used herein, the phrase “mobile untethered” refers to not requiring a physical connection to external wiring or cable, for example, in order to receive or transmit power and/or data during operation. In one embodiment, the spectator display devices 106 are configured for plug-in connections to allow for optional physical connection to external wiring or cable, for example, in order to receive or transmit power or data. In one embodiment, the spectator display devices 106 are configured for plug-in connections, such as by USB, to allow for uploading of image data from a suitable secondary external portable device, such as a tablet computer.
In one embodiment, the display portion 118 includes a cover panel 128 having a suitable material to allow light transmission while providing protection to the light emitting elements 124. Suitable materials include, but are not limited to, a transparent polycarbonate with a scratch and UV resistant, antireflective coating, or any other suitable durable transparent or semi-transparent or semi-translucent material capable of supporting a predetermined structural load (as if sat or stepped upon, for example) and/or resisting cracking if dropped onto a concrete surface by a spectator 116. In one embodiment, the spectator display device 106 housing 120 is fabricated of a durable, moldable polymeric material, or any other suitable durable material capable of supporting a predetermined structural load and resisting impact fractures. In one embodiment, the spectator display device 106 includes a suitable resilient or elastomeric material to provide improved gripping and/or shock absorption.
The display portion 118 is substantially planar and includes a first side (for example, a front side 129) and a second side (for example, a rear side 131). Alternatively, the display portion 118 is any suitable shape or amorphous, such as with flexible materials. The spectator display device 106 is configured to display an image on both the front side 129 and the rear side 131, or on only the front side 129. In one embodiment, the spectator display device 106 is capable of displaying different images on the front side 129 and the rear side 131.
The spectator display device 106 is configured to activate at least one of the one or more light emitting elements 124, for example, based upon the image data 134 to display a partial image 138 or a sequence of partial images 138. In one embodiment, the spectator display device 106 is configured to display the partial image 138 in real-time or substantially real-time from a live feed, for example, with little or no image data manipulation, such as by interpolation, morphing, and/or dissolving. In one embodiment, the spectator display devices 106 are driven by any suitable image, such as still image, live image, predefined video, animated image, or interactive image, for example. The plurality of spectator display devices 106 are arranged and disposed in the array map whereby the partial images 138 produced are configured to form or create a substantially continuous display 100, providing an illusion of a continuous image.
The image data 134 is communicated by any suitable mechanism, such as, a remote controller 140. The remote controller 140 is capable of providing image data 134 to the spectator display devices 106, independently controlling the spectator display devices 106, operating with one or more other controllers, coordinating video or image displays (for example, a computer, computing device, or processor), is configured for transmission of a wireless communication signal, is operated by a predetermined operator (for example, a performer, a player, an announcer, a producer, or a designated spectator, such as a winner of a contest), or a combination thereof.
The spectator display devices 106 are connected to each other and/or the remote controller 140 by any suitable connection. Suitable connections include, but are not limited to, a wireless connection 142 or other communication and/or power transmitting device, for example, through an infrared (IR), radiofrequency (RF), other suitable wavelengths, cellular, 3G networks, 4G networks, or any other electromagnetic signal. In one embodiment, the stream of image data 134 is transmitted to all the spectator display devices 106 to provide the desired visual display 100. The addressable capability of the display controller 126 allows the individual spectator display devices 106 to receive and process the specific image data 134 transmitted for that corresponding device. The system 132 utilizes suitable software, hardware, video signals, image signals, controllers, media servers, control devices and electronics, and combinations thereof to generate, transmit, and process video and/or images for display of the partial images 138 through the spectator display devices 106.
The activation based upon the image data 134 includes various control functions. Suitable control functions include, but are not limited to, being capable of independently turning the display capability of the spectator display devices 106 on or off, independently controlling a level of intensity of the light emitting elements 124 (for example, to vary the brightness of light displayed), independently controlling the light emitting elements 124 (for example, to vary the color displayed by each of the light emitting elements), emitting multiple colors of light simultaneously or at different times, independently controlling activation sequences of the light emitting elements 124 (for example, to vary the duration and sequences of light displayed), controlling all of the one or more light emitting elements 124 simultaneously, controlling only a portion of the one or more light emitting elements 124, controlling the one or more light emitting elements 124 in coordination with an audio signal, controlling the one or more light emitting elements 124 or the display capability of the spectator display devices 106 with voice commands issued by the spectator 116, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the range of light intensity simultaneously displayed on one spectator display device 106 and/or specific portions of the spectator display devices 106 is between about 30 percent to about 100 percent, between about 30 percent to about 50 percent, or between about 60 percent to about 80 percent, or any suitable range therein.
In one embodiment, the composite image 136 is converted into the image data 134 through use of an interpolation rendering algorithm. In this embodiment, the composite image 136 (a three dimensional model in a vector graphics format, for example) is converted into a partial image in a two dimensional plane for output or for storage. In one embodiment, the rendering algorithm includes a perspective projection transformation utilizing a regenerated frustum as the intermediated form factor. In one embodiment, the interpolation rendering algorithm includes an interpolation scaling algorithm. The scaling algorithm is utilized to enlarge or scale up the image to create the display 100 in the desired venue 104, such as in a sports stadium or concert.
A process of creating a display 100 having an illusion of a continuous image includes providing image data 134 to a plurality of spectator display devices 106. For example, the process includes providing image data 134 to a first spectator display device 106a, the first spectator display device 106a having one or more light emitting elements 124, and providing image data 134 to a second spectator display device 106b. The process includes activating at least one of the one or more light emitting elements 124 based upon the image data 134. In one embodiment, the process includes converting the composite image 136 into the image data 134. In one embodiment, the process includes the spectator display devices 106 positioned within a spectator region of a venue 104 (see
In one embodiment, the conversion of the composite image 136 into the image data 134 includes creating a fullscreen image having a plurality of partial images. In one embodiment, each partial image includes partial image data. The partial image data includes corresponding electronic properties such as position coordinates in a digital array grid, a predetermined color, and a predetermined intensity, for example. In one embodiment, the process further includes assigning all or a portion of the partial image data to corresponding all or a portion of the corresponding spectator position 108 display coordinates within the array map of the venue 104.
In one embodiment, the image data 134 used to form the partial image 138 takes into account the predetermined viewing angle of display 100 with respect to a surface or object, such as a stage, a performer, or an overhead blimp, for example. In one embodiment, the conversion of the composite image 136 into the image data 134 includes utilizing the coordinates of a focal object at the venue, such as a stage performer, for example, as the focal point for determining one or more viewing angles for the partial image 138.
While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012/0409 | Jun 2012 | BE | national |
