Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Plural physical display element control system – Display elements arranged in matrix
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-17
2001-08-07
Shalwala, Bipin (Department: 2673)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Plural physical display element control system
Display elements arranged in matrix
C345S083000, C345S055000, C345S056000, C340S815400, C340S815450
Reexamination Certificate
active
06271815
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a handy information display system. More particularly, the invention relates to a handy information display system of the type including a light emitting diode (LED) array display board that visually displays message and transmits signal to a portable unit at the same time.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the use and application in LED array display, optical communication and mobile computing. A review of these technologies are provided below as the background of the present invention.
LED array display board is a popular instrument for commercial usage. Many banks, shops and cinemas are willing to install one piece of it because of its versatility. LED array display board can be very bright and eye-catching. Thus, it is very suitable for advertising purpose. Also, unlike printed sign or logo, the message displayed on the LED array can be changed all the time. One can use it to tell people what is the most updated information in real-time. For example, in a bank, it is used to show the current stock market value, currency exchange rate and interests rate. In a shop, it can be used to tell people what is the opening hour, what is the biggest bargain today, etc.
The features and functionality of LED array display board also becomes more enriched. Scrolling, blinking, built-in character formats are just some basic functions. More powerful LED array can have a multi-color display. The resolution is enhanced by reducing the dot size and have LEDs packed more closely. The size of the array also becomes larger and larger. The smallest LED array starts with a single line text display. But some huge LED array can be taller than a man, have multi-line text and even graphics display. Nevertheless, existing LED display board is only used to give visual message (or image) display. It can do nothing more than this.
Free space optical communication (FSOC) is often used for short-range communication purpose. It is quite extensively used and popular, since the usage of optical frequency is not regulated by telecommunication authority. Some typical examples are TV remote control, toll collection, etc. A FSOC system mainly consists of a LED for transmitting light wave and a photodetector for converting an optical signal into an electrical signal. One may have other front-end circuit elements, such as optical filter, low noise amplifier, data and clock recovery circuit, etc.
An important point to note is that possible wavelengths used in optical communication ranges from the visible light region to the infrared region. However, most present FSOC systems use the infrared region. They are often referred to as infrared communication system. This may be due to the fact that those semiconductor devices (LED and photodetector) are more optimized in the infrared region. Nevertheless, visible light can also be a candidate for optical communication. Indeed, most LEDs do not emit light wave of a single wavelength.
The confluence of portable computers and wireless communication has led to the emergence of mobile computing. Mobile computing usually requires certain form of wireless network so that the mobile computer can get connected at pre-defined locations. Existing wireless network packages often utilize the atmospheric spectrum of ISM band or UHF band. Some uses the infrared spectrum.
Mobile computing is an attractive technology to most people who need to travel around and do not stay in a fixed office space. The potential user pool is very great. But some problems that hinder the growth of mobile computing include low communication bandwidth and high system cost. Existing wired network facilities also are not quite optimized for the purpose of mobile computing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a novel LED array display board with unconventional functionality.
It is an object of the present invention to use LED array display board as a communication device for displaying an image and transmitting information from one location to another location.
It is also object of the present invention to provide an information system for use in a wireless optical communication system.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a FSOC system which utilizes both infrared and visible light wavelength regions.
It is yet another object of the present invention to give an alternative option to construct a mobile computing network.
The present invention is a handy information display system. The system comprises a LED array display board, an information server connected to the LED array display board and at least one portable unit. The LED array display board comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes and photodetectors. Each LED in the array can be individually controlled as to whether it illuminates or not. The LED array displays texts and simple graphics. While the LED array displays certain message visually, the illuminating LED can also be modulated, rather than constantly being turned on. Thus, the LED is turned on and off by a modulating signal. The modulating frequency should be high enough to be imperceptible by humans such that the LED array display appears to be constantly on and shows messages visually. But the light intensity emitted from the LED actually varies at a very fast pace. It's the human eye that is insensitive to these rapid changes. The whole LED array display board thus acts as a base station transmitter which transmits signals at an optical frequency.
The information server controls the operation of the LED array display board. It controls what text or graphics is displayed on the LED array and certain display features such as scrolling and blinking. The information server also controls transmission of signals to modulate the LEDs.
A portable unit receives and detects the optical signal emitted from the LED array display board. The signal received is then demodulated and decoded. The recovered information is then shown on a visual display unit, such as liquid crystal display (LCD).
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Cheung Sing-Wai
Kwok Paul Chi-Kong
Pang Grantham Kwok-Hung
Tam Yau-Yee
Tse Kai-Wing
Nguyen Jimmy H.
Pennie & Edmonds LLP
Shalwala Bipin
University of Hong Kong
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