Configurable large screen display

Abstract

 An easily assembled and disassembled lighting and video see-through modular large screen display that comprises a set of display panels of various shapes and sizes to enable the fabrication of a large screen display of non-rectangle form. Each display panels is provided with rigid frame to enable the fabrication of a large screen display by connecting one panel frame to others without additional mounting frame. Additionally, the embodiment of this display has increased see-through visibility, increased acoustic transmittivity, and reduced wind load.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a display apparatus using light emitting elements and more particularly to a display apparatus of a configurable modular large-scale type used for stage decoration or fixed architectural installation. In particular, this invention relates to a configurable large screen display with a number of modules of different geometries.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The full-color large screen displays have been widely used for displaying pictures and information in area of events and shows, in sports fields and recreation grounds, and in outdoor and indoor advertisements.

[0003] In the last years a video system became an important facility of modern mass events. Large screen video displays are now being used for sport stadiums, arenas and concert halls.

[0004] The configuration of these large screen displays is often inflexible, the display is an assemble of identical modules and have few display geometries, mostly standard rectilinear geometries, such as billboards.

[0005] However modern show becomes more and more technologically advanced and require such a solutions that allow stage designers to create large displays with different shapes and geometries. There is a demand in the market not only for standard rectangular displays, but also for more complex displays of different shapes, especially for stage and architectural applications. Technical challenges exist in forming a display system with the flexibility to form various shapes. What is needed is a system of individual panels that are configurable to form large screen displays having complex forms.

[0006] Further, the market requires display systems that are easy to operate, install, maintain and disassemble, especially for use in temporary venues.

[0007] An example of system that gives possibility to create various two and three dimensional displays is found in reference to patent application EP1650729 A2 of BARCO NV, entitled, "Improved display and corresponding support, emissive lighting display modules and packaging for such display modules". The application details a display comprising a support holding a number of emissive lighting modules of single or multiple types whereby the emissive lighting modules are provided of a mechanical packaging of non-rectilinear geometry, optionally a triangular, a rectangular, a pentagonal, a hexagonal or an octagonal geometry; and whereby said support can have a two or three dimensional shape, and optionally can be a display tile assembly, a brick assembly, a pole assembly, a cabled assembly, a strip assembly, a grid assembly, a direct-mount display assembly, a mounting curtain assembly section and/or a curtain bar mechanism.

[0008] The application EP1650739 relates to lighting display modules and the corresponding support mechanisms for use in large-scale display applications. In particular, this application relates to an adaptable support framework and non-rectilinear display module packages that together form non-orthogonal large-scale display.

[0009] However, the proposed display has several disadvantages.

[0010] According to the application EP1650739, it is necessary to provide a special support mechanism to create three or two dimensional objects, described like a tile assembly, a brick assembly, a pole assembly, a cabled assembly, a strip assembly, a grid assembly, a direct mount display assembly, a mounting curtain assembly section, a curtain bar mechanism.

[0011] The above application has no claim that the modules of different geometries can be assembled together without special support mechanism. Thus, the lighting displays are inflexible in mounting, which make them unpractical in use, especially at temporary venues.

[0012] Additionally, it is often requested to light up a background behind the display, and also requested to place lights and lasers behind the display so they can lights through the display surface. It is also often requested that objects at stage do not reflect or disturb sound. And finally, it is also often requested that display system have reduced wind pressure, or wind load, during outdoor installation. The lighting modules and support mechanism of the application EP1650739 have no see-through possibility, which is significant disadvantage, which limit the application of these modules and support frames at temporary venues.

[0013] Finally, it is yet another disadvantage that lighting modules according to the application EP1650739 has irregular pixel pitch. For example-triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal modules has irregular pixel pitch. That makes the display incapable to reproduce images and video, because such an irregular pixel pitch will cause a distortion of image, displayed at such display.

[0014] Therefore, EP1650739 is limited, in that it requires the use of special support mechanism, lighting modules and support mechanism are not transparent to wind, sound and light, and lighting modules have irregular pixel pitch.

[0015] Another example of system that gives possibility to create various two and three dimensional displays is found in reference to patent US 6,396,985 B2 (Lowry et al), entitled, "Contoured large screen display apparatus". The application details a contoured large screen display comprising a mounting surface, a plurality of modular flat display tiles connected to the mounting surface, wherein the tiles comprise both standard and non-standard tiles, each tile has a substantially planar front surface, a plurality of optical fibers is positioned to form a matrix at the front surface, and the matrix comprises a plurality of points having a pitch between each point.

[0016] According to patent US 6,396,985, a plurality of modular tiles of standard and non-standard shapes and sizes are attached to the common mounting surface. Thus, for every specific application it will require a special custom-made mounting surface.

[0017] Finally, modular tiles of patent US 6,396,985 have no see-through possibility, which also limit the application of these modular tiles at temporary venues.

[0018] Thus, what is needed is a modular large screen display that is easy to assemble to form different shapes, that is lightweight, transparent to wind, sound and light, that is easy to disassemble and maintain, that presents uniform, distortion-free image.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The object of this invention is to provide a large screen display comprising a plurality of modular display panels wherein the panels comprise both standard, rectangular panels, preferably square shaped and non-standard panels of non-standard shapes and sizes wherein each panel has a substantially planar front surface wherein each panel comprise a plurality of light emitting elements, said light emitting elements are positioned to form a matrix of pixels having a regular pitch between pixels, said that said panels have a plurality of openings and each panel has a rigid frame. Preferably, said light emitting elements are light emitting diodes, preferably each elements contain at least three light emitting diodes of different colors.

[0020] According to the invention the total area of openings in said panel should be more than half of the panel area, preferably more than two thirds of the panel area.

[0021] According to the invention said panels might be assembled into planar form with non rectangular geometry, for example stars, letters, circles or into non-planar form, for example cube, pyramid, or more complex non-planar forms.

[0022] According to other aspect of the invention said non-standard panel has one right angle, the length of one edge of the non-standard panel adjoining said right angle is equal to the length of the standard panel edge, wherein the length of one edge of the non-standard panel adjoining right angle is equal either to the length of the standard panel edge or to half of the length of the standard panel edge.

[0023] According to other aspect of the invention one edge of the non-standard panel is concave or convex.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] With the intention of better showing the characteristics of the invention, hereafter preferred embodiments are shown which can be used in a modular large screen display of complex forms:

Fig. 1 is an overview illustration of a configurable large screen display;

Fig. 2a illustrates a perspective view of standard display panel 1 of the preferred embodiment;

Fig. 2b illustrates an exploded perspective view of the standard display panel 1 of the preferred embodiment;

Fig. 2c illustrates and exploded magnified perspective view of left lower corner of standard display panel 1 of the preferred embodiment;

Fig. 3a illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary of non-standard display panel 2;

Fig. 3b illustrates an exploded perspective view of an exemplary non-standard display panel 2;

Fig. 4 illustrates a set of different non-standard display panels in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 5 illustrates an exemplary planar display showing a pitch between pixels;

Fig. 6 illustrates another exemplary planar display;

Fig. 7 illustrates exemplary non-planar display.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, this invention is an easily assembled and disassembled lighting and video see-through modular large screen display that comprises a set of display panels of various shapes and sizes to enable the fabrication of a large screen display of non rectangle form. Each display panels is provided with rigid frame to enable the fabrication of a large screen display by connecting one panel frame to others without additional mounting frame. Additionally, the embodiment of this display has increased see-through visibility, increased acoustic transmittivity, and reduced wind load.

[0026] Fig.1 is an overview illustration of an example of configurable large screen display, in accordance with the invention, of non-rectangular form comprising both standard panels 1 and non-standard panels 2.

[0027] Fig.2a illustrates a perspective view of standard display panel 1 of the preferred embodiment, Fig.2b illustrates an exploded perspective view of the standard display panel 1 of the preferred embodiment, and Fig.2c illustrates an exploded magnified perspective view of left lower corner of standard display panel 1 of the preferred embodiment, in accordance with the invention. As it is defined, a "standard" display panel includes a panel having a rectangular, preferably square shape.

[0028] A standard display panel 1 according to the preferred embodiment is a square-shaped display panel comprising a printed circuit board 3 with a plurality of light emitting elements 4 and a support rigid frame 5.

[0029] A printed circuit board 3 of a standard panel 1 according to the preferred embodiment is substantially of the same form as the standard panel 1, a square-shaped printed circuit board in case of square shaped display panel, preferably made from monolith, preferably single piece fibreglass material, preferably a non-reflective or substantially non-reflective material having a black pigment. A printed circuit board 3 has a plurality of openings 6, made for example by milling method, known to those skilled in the art. Front side of the printed circuit board 3 is populated with light emitting elements 4. Light emitting elements 4 form a matrix of pixels with regular pitch between pixels.

[0030] A frame 5 is substantially of the same form as the standard panel 1, a square-shaped in case of square shaped display panel 1, the frame is preferably made from a tube or tubes, forming a rigid contour on the perimeter of the panel 1.

[0031] A printed circuit board 3 is attached to the frame 5, in the preferred embodiment the printed circuit board 3 is attached to the frame 5 with bolts and nuts, however any other means known to whose skilled in the art, for example rivets, clips, or adhesive materials, are possible.

[0032] A plurality of opening 6 in the printed circuit board 3 allows to reduce the weight of the display panel, reduce the wind load on the panel thus allowing further reduce the weight of the panel by using lighter frame. Additional advantage of the opening is increased see-through visibility and increased acoustic transmittivity. According to present invention the total area of openings in said panel should be more than half of the panel area, preferably more than two thirds of the panel area. In the preferred embodiment of the invention the total area of openings is 70% of the panel area.

[0033] Fig.3a illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary of non-standard display panel 2, and Fig.2b illustrates an exploded perspective view of an exemplary non-standard display panel 2, in accordance with present invention. As it is defined, a "non-standard" display panel includes a panel having a shape other than square or rectangle.

[0034] For example, a non-standard panel 2 is a triangle-shaped display panel, where two edges forms a right angle, and the third edge is straight. A non-standard display panel 2 further comprising a printed circuit board 10 with populated light emitting elements 4 and a rigid frame 11.

[0035] A printed circuit board 10 of a non-standard panel 2 according to the preferred embodiment is substantially of the same form as a non-standard panel 2, preferably is made from monolith, preferably single piece fibreglass material, preferably a non-reflective or substantially non-reflective material having a black pigment. A printed circuit board 10 has a plurality of openings 6, made for example by milling method, known to those skilled in the art. Front side of the printed circuit board 10 is populated with light emitting elements 4. Light emitting elements 4 forms a triangle-shaped matrix of pixels with regular pitch between pixels.

[0036] A frame 11 is substantially of the same form as the non-standard panel 1, the frame is preferably made from a tube or tubes, forming a rigid contour of triangle shape.

[0037] A frame 5 of standard panel 1 and frame 11 of non-standard panel 2 may be made of a thin, rigid, lightweight material such as a metal so that the entire display is very lightweight. Such metals can include aluminium or other lightweight metals. In addition, plastic, fibreglass, carbonaceous materials and other lightweight materials and combination of thereof can be used.

[0038] According to the invention, a light emitting elements 4 may be a light emitting diodes preferably, a light emitting diode in a single surface mount ceramic package, for example, NSSM016A manufactured by Nichia, Japan. As an alternative, light emitting diode may be a single colour type light emitting diode of red, green, blue, yellow, amber or white colour.

[0039] Fig.4 shows a set of different non-standard display panels 6 in accordance with the present invention.

[0040] A variety of non-standard display panels includes triangle-shaped display panels in which two edges forms a right angle and the third edge can be straight, convex or concave. At that the length of one edge forming the straight angle is equal to the length of the edge of a standard display panel L, whereas the length of another edge forming the straight angle is equal to L or to L/2.

[0041] A variety of non-standard display panels also includes reflection symmetric forms of the above described of non-standard triangle display panels.

[0042] Fig.5 illustrates an exemplary planar displays, formed by standard display panels 1 and non-standard display panels 2 shown on Fig 4. In present embodiment, two standard panels 1 and four non-standard panels 2 forms a planar display 12. During assembly of planar display 12 frames 5 of standard display panels 1 and frames 11 of non-standard display panels 6 are connected together, for example, by connecting pins or plates, or by any other means known to those skilled in the art. When standard display panels 1 and non-standard display panels 2 are connected, lighting elements 4 of both standard display panels 1 and non-standard display panels 2 forms a matrix of light emitting elements 4 with regular pitch between said light emitting elements 4 in vertical H and horizontal B directions. A regular pitch allows a planar display 12 to display distortion-free images.

[0043] The background behind display 12 is visible to an audience because of existing plurality of openings 6 and the display 12 can be illuminated from behind, so that more extraordinary stage effects can be created in addition to the video or lighting effects displayed on display 12. For example, stage lasers or moving headlights can be placed behind the display 12 to light through the surface of display 12.

[0044] Additionally, the display 12 has increased transparency to sound waves because of existing plurality of opening 6. Thus, the displays can be placed on stage without limitation of propagation of sound waves.

[0045] The openings 6 are playing an important role in reduction of wind load, if display 12 is placed outdoor. Thus, overall mechanical structure of display 12 is sufficiently lightweighted.

[0046] Fig.6 illustrates an exemplary planar display, formed by standard display panels 1 and non-standard display panels 2.

[0047] Fig.7 illustrates an exemplary non-planar display, formed by standard display panels 1 and non-standard display panels 2.

[0048] The invention is in no way limited to the description and embodiments described above and represented in the drawings, and may be realized in different shapes and dimensions, without departure from the scope of invention.

Claims

1. A large screen display comprising a plurality of modular display panels, wherein the panels comprise both standard and non-standard panels, wherein each panel has a substantially planar front surface, wherein each panel comprise a plurality of light emitting elements, said light emitting elements are positioned to form a matrix of pixels having a regular pitch between pixels,
characterised in that said panels have a plurality of openings and each panel has a rigid frame.

2. A large screen display according to claim 1, characterised in that said light emitting elements are light emitting diodes.

3. A display according to claim 2, characterised in that said pixels contain at least three light emitting diodes of different colors.

4. A display according to claim 1, characterised in that the total area of openings in said panel is larger than half of the panel area.

5. A display according to claim 1, characterised in that said panels are assembled into planar form with non-rectangular geometry.

6. A display according to claim 1, characterised in that said panels are assembled into non-planar form.

7. A display according to claim 1, characterised in that said non-standard panel has one right angle.

8. A display according to claim 7, characterised in that the length of one edge of the non-standard panel adjoining said right angle is equal to the length of the standard panel edge.

9. A display according to claim 7, characterised in that the length of one edge of the non-standard panel adjoining right angle is equal to half of the length of the standard panel.

10. A display according to claim 7, characterised in that one edge of the non-standard panel is concave or convex.

Drawing