Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Plural physical display element control system – Physically movable array
Patent
1991-10-15
1994-04-12
Oberley, Alvin E.
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Plural physical display element control system
Physically movable array
345 46, 34081545, G09G 320
Patent
active
053029658
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a display.
2. Description of the Related Art
A known type of display comprises a static base unit and a rotating unit driven by a motor The rotating unit carries a plurality of light emitting diodes (LED's) which are controlled during rotation so as to provide a display image.
EP 0 26 762 discloses a display of this type in which a rotating two dimensional array of LED's sweeps a cylindrical volume and the LED's are controlled so as to define a cylindrical three dimensional array of picture elements (pixels). Data for controlling illumination of the pixels is sent in serial form from fixed electronics in the base unit via an infrared link to rotating electronics in the rotating unit. The rotating electronics essentially comprise a decoder for illuminating each LED of the array in sequence, with no data storage being provided in the rotating unit. Thus, only one LED at a time can be illuminated.
GB 2 093 617 and EP 0 156 544 disclose displays of this type in which two diametrically opposite vertical columns of LED's sweep a common cylindrical display surface and the LED's are controlled so as to define a cylindrical two dimensional array of pixels. The rotating unit contains enough electronics and memory for all of the LED's to be controlled simultaneously and for data to be stored for all of the pixels to provide one complete image. In order to change the displayed image, a connection has to be established with the rotating unit so that new data can be written into the memory. During such reprogramming, the display ceases to function as a display until the old data have been replaced by the new data. Thus, display images cannot be changed during normal operation of the display. This makes image updating and animation difficult or impossible and requires expert or trained personnel to reprogrammed the display.
Another problem with known displays of this type is that the light output is relatively low. Thus, shaded locations are necessary for viewing such displays.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a display comprising a static unit and a moving unit, the moving unit carrying a plurality of light sources and being arranged to move so that the light sources perform a repeated movement, the moving unit including a memory for storing data for providing a plurality of displayed images and control means for controlling the light sources so as to display at least one selected image at a time.
The moving unit is preferably a rotating unit and the light sources are preferably arranged as a plurality of columns parallel to the axis of rotation. The light sources are preferably light emitting diodes.
The static unit is preferably arranged to communicate with the moving unit by means of a communication link, such as a rotary transformer. Preferably the static unit contains a further memory for storing data for a plurality of further displayed images and transmission means for transmitting the data to the memory and the control means of the moving unit via the communication link.
It is thus possible to provide a display which permits several images to be displayed in a desired sequence, for instance so as to change the images or so as to provide animated images
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a display comprising a static unit and a rotating unit, the rotating unit carrying a plurality of columns of light sources arranged to sweep a common cylindrical surface, the light sources of each column being oriented parallel to each other at an angle to a radius from the axis of rotation through the column and the light sources of at least two of the columns being oriented at respective different angles.
In general, light sources such as light emitting diodes emit most of their light forwards along their optical axis, with the light intensity falling with increasing angle from the axis By varying the orientations of the columns, it is possible to provid
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patent: 4200869 (1980-04-01), Murayama et al.
patent: 4491863 (1985-01-01), Krozahashi
patent: 4593978 (1986-01-01), Mowrey et al.
patent: 4689604 (1987-08-01), Sokol
Belcher Barry J.
Mott Clive V.
Liang Regina
Oberley Alvin E.
Stellar Communications Limited
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