Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Plural physical display element control system – Physically movable array
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-27
2002-08-13
Shalwala, Bipin (Department: 2673)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Plural physical display element control system
Physically movable array
C340S815870
Reexamination Certificate
active
06433761
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention concerns a display device for generating a display using a light source array with individually actuable light sources, which are adapted to be excited or lit by means of a control unit. Hitherto conventional display devices have generally been used in advertising or in conjunction with display apparatuses having a plurality of light sources arranged in the form of a chain or matrix, and information was displayed by either lighting all the light sources in the light source chain or lighting a selected portion of the light sources in the light source matrix.
When a light source chain is used, for example, to display an alphanumeric character, then such an arrangement only allows the display of a respectively desired alphanumeric character. However, when a light source matrix is used various alphanumeric characters can be generated. In the case of a light source matrix arrangement, however, a very large number of light sources are required in order to represent a multiplicity of alphanumeric characters. With a 10×20 matrix, for example, 200 individual light sources are required. Conventional light sources include light emitting diodes, incandescent lamps, and LCD-elements. Unfortunately, when compared to display devices having few light sources, the use of a light source matrix comprising many light sources comes at a high cost in terms of hardware and the probability of failure for an individual light source.
European Patent document EP 0 359 218-A discloses a display instrument in which lighting elements which are linearly oriented on a pointer moved transversely with the motion of the pointer while a control circuit switches the lighting elements ON and OFF in relation to an instantaneous position of the pointer in order to form display symbols during the pointer movement. In this arrangement, the pointer can be moved to and fro like a pendulum or it can be continuously rotated.
In addition, Patent Abstracts of Japan, No 59-195 181, relating to Application No 50-70553, assigned to applicants Seikoushiya K.K. discloses a display device similar to that described in EP 0 359 218-A in which lighting elements arranged on a pendulum arm are moved transversely to and fro in relation to their linear orientation within a predetermined unit of time, so that the display of a desired item of information is generated using the so-called after-image phenomenon.
The display principle which is known from the above-described publications is distinguished in that only a relatively few light sources are required, and that it is possible to generate a display for which the viewer cannot discern any display carrier such as, for example, a television picture tube, but rather the viewer sees the display as virtually floating freely in space in front of a background.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to design a display device on the basis of the after-image phenomenon in a simple and inexpensive manner and to allow a high degree of display variability. The invention further seeks to provide a practically noise-less display device.
This object is attained within the context of the present invention by a display device including a plurality of light sources arranged on a carrier, and a control device for actuation of an individual light source and/or a sub-group of light sources.
The present invention includes a drive coupled to the carrier are controlled by the control device such that it repeatedly moves the carrier and the light sources over a surface region a plurality of times within a given unit of time.
The present invention also includes a storage means connected to the control means which stores data corresponding to an item of display information, and a device for detecting the position and/or motion information for the carrier, wherein the position and/or motion information is transmitted to the control device and the plurality of light sources is controlled by the control device in relation to the position and/or motion information of the display information.
Advantageous developments are described in the attached claims as well as an arrangement comprising a plurality of display devices.
It has been found that, when the carrier is driven in a contact-less mode, it is possible to construct a noiseless display device. Such a contact-less drive for the carrier can be afforded by an electromagnetic unit or a solenoid, which cyclically exposes a pendulum arm in the form of the carrier to an attraction and/or repulsion force.
In addition, a contact-less drive as well as the contact-less detection of the information regarding position and/or motion of the carrier has the advantage that the amount of wear of the display device according to the invention is held to a minimum. Furthermore, contact-less data transmission from a fixed part of the display device to the moving part of the display device is also advantageous, and may be accomplished, for example, by contact-less coupling of the control device with to the carrier and the light sources disposed thereon.
If nonetheless the movement of the carrier, either in the case of pendulum movement or rotational movement about a cylindrical path, should yet give rise to acoustic noises, such noise may be counteracted by use of a carrier having an aerodynamically favourable configuration. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that a carrier having such an aerodynamic configuration will be formed like an aircraft wing, and will avoid configurations having sharp corners or other discontinuous contours which tend to cause acoustic disturbance noises.
It has also proven to be highly desirable that, to detect information with respect to the position and/or motion of the carrier, a detector, preferably an optical detector arrangement or proximity switch, is used, so that a position and/or motion information signal is generated in relation to the position and/or motion of the carrier. The control device thereafter uses the information signal as a reference signal for light source control purposes and for drive control purposes. The production of acoustic noises is also prevented by use of contact-less detection schemes described above.
By virtue of the reference signal, the control device can exactly implement the actuation of an individual light source and at a particular time and can also control the drive in such a way that the carrier is repeatedly moved over the display surface with sufficient frequency and at exact time intervals. It is also desirable, if, when a pendulum-like reciprocating motion is involved, the representation generated is produced in each phase of the motion, that is to say in the forward movement and in the return movement of the carrier. In this manner, the level of sharpness of the display is enhanced and at the same time the carrier does not have to be moved over the display surface so frequently.
In addition, the control signal can switch each individual light source on and off, in relation to the reference signal and in relation to the items of information to be displayed, in such a way that each individual light source lights up only at a given location on the display surface. Moreover, in the case of a forward movement and a return movement of a pendulum-like display, the display is synchronised in such a way that the display in the forward movement optically overlaps with the display in the return movement.
It is also advantageous if the display device is provided with means for ascertaining the level of ambient brightness so that the lighting strength or power of the light sources can be adjusted in dependence on ambient brightness.
It has also been shown to be highly desirable if, for individual information display, an individual one of the above-mentioned display devices or a plurality thereof is connected to an information input/processing device, wherein the information input/processing device is preferably a personal computer at which by utilisation and by implementation of an editing program provided for display control pu
Kohne Ingenieurburo GmbH
Piziali Jeff
Shalwala Bipin
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