CA2278768A1 - Device for displaying alpha numeric symbols and/or graphic symbols - Google Patents
Device for displaying alpha numeric symbols and/or graphic symbols Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2278768A1 CA2278768A1 CA002278768A CA2278768A CA2278768A1 CA 2278768 A1 CA2278768 A1 CA 2278768A1 CA 002278768 A CA002278768 A CA 002278768A CA 2278768 A CA2278768 A CA 2278768A CA 2278768 A1 CA2278768 A1 CA 2278768A1
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- circuit board
- printed circuit
- coil
- symbols
- rotor
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
- G09G—ARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICES USING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION
- G09G3/00—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes
- G09G3/005—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes forming an image using a quickly moving array of imaging elements, causing the human eye to perceive an image which has a larger resolution than the array, e.g. an image on a cylinder formed by a rotating line of LEDs parallel to the axis of rotation
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- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
- G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
- G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour
- G02F1/13—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells
- G02F1/133—Constructional arrangements; Operation of liquid crystal cells; Circuit arrangements
- G02F1/1333—Constructional arrangements; Manufacturing methods
- G02F1/1343—Electrodes
- G02F1/134309—Electrodes characterised by their geometrical arrangement
- G02F1/134327—Segmented, e.g. alpha numeric display
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
- G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
- G09F9/00—Indicating arrangements for variable information in which the information is built-up on a support by selection or combination of individual elements
- G09F9/30—Indicating arrangements for variable information in which the information is built-up on a support by selection or combination of individual elements in which the desired character or characters are formed by combining individual elements
- G09F9/33—Indicating arrangements for variable information in which the information is built-up on a support by selection or combination of individual elements in which the desired character or characters are formed by combining individual elements being semiconductor devices, e.g. diodes
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01F—MAGNETS; INDUCTANCES; TRANSFORMERS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR MAGNETIC PROPERTIES
- H01F38/00—Adaptations of transformers or inductances for specific applications or functions
- H01F38/18—Rotary transformers
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N13/00—Stereoscopic video systems; Multi-view video systems; Details thereof
- H04N13/30—Image reproducers
- H04N13/388—Volumetric displays, i.e. systems where the image is built up from picture elements distributed through a volume
- H04N13/393—Volumetric displays, i.e. systems where the image is built up from picture elements distributed through a volume the volume being generated by a moving, e.g. vibrating or rotating, surface
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- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Nonlinear Science (AREA)
- Geometry (AREA)
- Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Crystallography & Structural Chemistry (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Multimedia (AREA)
- Optics & Photonics (AREA)
- Mathematical Physics (AREA)
- Power Engineering (AREA)
- Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
- Devices For Indicating Variable Information By Combining Individual Elements (AREA)
- Illuminated Signs And Luminous Advertising (AREA)
- Connection Of Motors, Electrical Generators, Mechanical Devices, And The Like (AREA)
- Control Of Indicators Other Than Cathode Ray Tubes (AREA)
Abstract
The invention relates to a spherical display device with a circuit board (4), accomodated inside a spherical housing (31), with drive and control elements and electronic components, as well as a support (5) rotating inside the housing (31) for light-emitting diodes or light-emitting diode groups (6).
Transmission of electric energy onto the circuit board (4) is conducted by contactless inductive energy transmission.
Transmission of electric energy onto the circuit board (4) is conducted by contactless inductive energy transmission.
Description
Device for Displaying Alphanumeric Symbols and/or Graphic Symbols The present invention relates to a device for displaying alphalphanumeric :symbols and/or graphic symbols as defined in the preamble to Patent Claim 1.
Devices used for d~_splaying alphalphanumeric symbols and/or graphics symbols have been described in the literature on numerous occasions, and. have been used in practice. Examples of such devices are displays of different sizes, with rows and columns of light emitting diodes (LED's) that are arranged in the form of a matrix.
A display device oi= this particular kind is disclosed, for example, in internaationa=L patent application PCT/R095/00013.
This particular device incorporates a series of LED's or groups of LED's on a suitably configured carrier, on which they are aligned vertically; this carrier rotates at a constant rotational o speed in excess of 1200 rpm <~bout the vertical axis of a drive motor. The block circuit diagram contains, amongst other things, a sequence generator for genE~rating the code sequences for the symbols and graphic symbols, and a synchronizing circuit to determine the precise angular position of the rotating LED
carrier, from which the actu<31 rotational speed of the LED
carrier is determined and re<~ulated.
The rotating LED array is located inside a rotationally symmetrical housing that is of acrylic plastic or a similar transparent material. A static image or a readable sequence of symbols and or graphic symbo7_s that is either stationary or moves i in the manner of light writing is projected onto the surface of the housing so that an observer can read it through an angular range of more than 270°.
Proper triggering of the LED's, particularly with reference to the speed of rogation of the LED array, is critical for generating sequences of :symbols and/or graphic symbols that can be easily read by an observer.
It is the task of t:he present invention to create a device of the type described in the introduction hereto, which uses a technically simple and, in particular, wear-free assembly i for transferring energy onto the rotating element or the rotating array.
This has been. done with the features set out in Claim 1. Advantageous configurations and development of the present invention are the object of t:he secondary claims.
The measures according to the present invention that relate to a non-contact. energy transmission system create such a system that is free of any sort of wear; on the one hand, this ensures that it is mair~tenan<:e free and, on the other hand, it ensures that the quality of t:he overall display device is enhanced, despite the reducedl number of components and its simple construction.
In one advantageous; configuration of this solution, inductive transfer of energy is proposed as the non-contact method of energy transfer. In a first alternative, a rotor is provided, the ends of the coils or windings of which are connected electrically to the circuit board or to electrical or electrical components. A stator that is formed in two halves is arranged around this rotor. 7,he rotor has at least one winding.
By rotating the rotor together with the drive shaft, current is generated in the coil ~~y the outer magnet halves, and this is supplied to the rotating elecaronic structural group (circuit board).
It is advantageous that the stator or the halves of the i stator be formed as per~maneni~ magnets. It is also advantageous to provide the rotor with six coil packets, the longitudinal axes of which are oriented radi.ally, in order to generate a three-phase system, which is more favourable from the standpoint of efficiency and smoothing the alternating current.
In a second alternative, there are torroidal coils on the circuit board and fixed on the motor output side so as to be spaced slightly apart ~~nd opposite each other: these serve to induce and transfer electrical energy when the circuit board is rotated.
Devices used for d~_splaying alphalphanumeric symbols and/or graphics symbols have been described in the literature on numerous occasions, and. have been used in practice. Examples of such devices are displays of different sizes, with rows and columns of light emitting diodes (LED's) that are arranged in the form of a matrix.
A display device oi= this particular kind is disclosed, for example, in internaationa=L patent application PCT/R095/00013.
This particular device incorporates a series of LED's or groups of LED's on a suitably configured carrier, on which they are aligned vertically; this carrier rotates at a constant rotational o speed in excess of 1200 rpm <~bout the vertical axis of a drive motor. The block circuit diagram contains, amongst other things, a sequence generator for genE~rating the code sequences for the symbols and graphic symbols, and a synchronizing circuit to determine the precise angular position of the rotating LED
carrier, from which the actu<31 rotational speed of the LED
carrier is determined and re<~ulated.
The rotating LED array is located inside a rotationally symmetrical housing that is of acrylic plastic or a similar transparent material. A static image or a readable sequence of symbols and or graphic symbo7_s that is either stationary or moves i in the manner of light writing is projected onto the surface of the housing so that an observer can read it through an angular range of more than 270°.
Proper triggering of the LED's, particularly with reference to the speed of rogation of the LED array, is critical for generating sequences of :symbols and/or graphic symbols that can be easily read by an observer.
It is the task of t:he present invention to create a device of the type described in the introduction hereto, which uses a technically simple and, in particular, wear-free assembly i for transferring energy onto the rotating element or the rotating array.
This has been. done with the features set out in Claim 1. Advantageous configurations and development of the present invention are the object of t:he secondary claims.
The measures according to the present invention that relate to a non-contact. energy transmission system create such a system that is free of any sort of wear; on the one hand, this ensures that it is mair~tenan<:e free and, on the other hand, it ensures that the quality of t:he overall display device is enhanced, despite the reducedl number of components and its simple construction.
In one advantageous; configuration of this solution, inductive transfer of energy is proposed as the non-contact method of energy transfer. In a first alternative, a rotor is provided, the ends of the coils or windings of which are connected electrically to the circuit board or to electrical or electrical components. A stator that is formed in two halves is arranged around this rotor. 7,he rotor has at least one winding.
By rotating the rotor together with the drive shaft, current is generated in the coil ~~y the outer magnet halves, and this is supplied to the rotating elecaronic structural group (circuit board).
It is advantageous that the stator or the halves of the i stator be formed as per~maneni~ magnets. It is also advantageous to provide the rotor with six coil packets, the longitudinal axes of which are oriented radi.ally, in order to generate a three-phase system, which is more favourable from the standpoint of efficiency and smoothing the alternating current.
In a second alternative, there are torroidal coils on the circuit board and fixed on the motor output side so as to be spaced slightly apart ~~nd opposite each other: these serve to induce and transfer electrical energy when the circuit board is rotated.
-3- _ In one development of the present invention, the device incorporates a PC interface and/or an infra-red interface for purposes of data transfer for control and programming. The infra-red interface permits the input of a desired sequence of symbols and/or graphic symbols by way of a remote-control system..
Various embod.iment:~ of the present invention are described in greater deaail below using the drawings appended hereto. These drawings show i=ollowing:
Figure 1: the principles of t=he display device, in cross section along the axis of rotation of the arrangement;
Figure 2: a section of the non-contact energy transfer system at enlarged scale, indicated by the circle II in Figure 1;
Figure 3: a cross section through the embodiment shown in Figure s 3 on the line IV-IV in Figure 3;
Figure 4: an alternative to i~he embodiment shown in Figure 3, in a similar cross-secaion on the line IV-IV in Figure Figure 5: another embodiment of the non-contact energy transfers system in a ~;implified cross section.
Figure 1 shouts a preferred embodiment of the LED
display device according to i~he present invention in cross section along the axis of roi~ation 21 of the array. An electric motor 2 is mounted on a column, pedestal, or similar mounting or 5 supporting device 1; this moi~or is designed to provide a suitable speed, for example, from approximately 1000 to 3000 rpm, preferably from approximately 2000 to 3000 rpm. A synchronous motor is usually used as the electric motor 2 although, of course, other motors can be used to the extent that they are s suitable for the intended purpose.
A coupler 3 is secured to the drive shaft 20 of the electric motor 2 in order to couple a printed circuit board 4 to the electric motor 2 so as to ensure that it rotates with the drive shaft 20. The printed circuit board 4 is mounted on this coupler 3 or on the output side of the coupler 3 so as to be oriented at an angle of approximately 90° to the axis of rotation 21 of the drive shaft 20. Tht~ circuit board 4 contains the complete electronic circuitry for controlling the display device.
Essentially, this includes the triggering circuits for the LED's 6 or LED groups 6 by way of a source of regulated direct current, a non-volatile memory for the alphalphanumeric symbols and/or graphic symbols, and a symbol generator to convert the sequence of symbols or graphic ~~ymbol:~ into the appropriate LED triggering commands.
> The electronic pi:inted circuit board 4 also serves as a mechanical mounting for' a carrier 5 that is arranged in the preferred manner to be at approximately right angles to the printed circuit board 4., i.e., more or less parallel to the axis of rotation 21. At lea~~t one preferably vertical row of LED's or i group of LED's 6 is attached to the carrier so as to extend radially outward, i.e.) so a;s to be essentially perpendicular to the drive shaft 20 or axis o:f rotation 21.
The LED's 6 on the carrier 5 are coloured light-emitting diodes in specific ~~olours and colour sequences. ; LED's of constantly changing colours as well as LED's of the same colour can be used. The selection of the colour depends essentially on the type of display that is planned. The application is, of course, not restricted to one row of sixteen LED's 6. Depending on t:he particular abdication, the row can contain more or fewer hED's 6.
The control system on the printed circuit board 4 ensures that that the desired LED's 6 light up in a pre-determined time sequence in accordance with a stored program. In general, the type of font (bold, cursive, etc.) and the transit 5 speed of the symbols and or graphic symbols is fixed, and the user can only select a desired sequence of symbols and/or graphic symbols, which is then input. However, by using a more costly and flexible programming tool, the type of font, transit time, or other parameters of thE~ sequence of symbols and/or graphic o symbols that is to be displayed can be selected by the user as desired.
In addition i.o controlling the device by way of a computer 28 with infra--red activation 27, the above-described device can also, as an alternative, be activated directly by s means of an infra-red remote control system 29. The infra-red sensors 30 is mounted on a'rotating part such as, for example, the carrier 5 or on the printed circuit board 4, in such a way that it rotates with it. If the infra-red sensor 30 is installed on a rotating part, this entails the advantage that data can be i transferred to the so-called spherical display from all directions using the remote-control system.
In principle, the frequency range used for transferring data with a remote control system 29 is not restricted to the infra-red range, although it is used here because it is used in commercially available remote control systems.
Since, as a rule, unlike the computer 28, the remote control system 29 does not have a screen or other display elements in order to check the data that has been input, in the case of data transfer using t;he remote control system 29, the i display device itself with it:s LED's 6 serves as a display for checking the data input.
Because of the high speed of the drive shaft 20 of the electric motor 2, which is, for example, approximately 3000 rpm, a "stationary" image wit=h an image repetition frequency of approximately 50 Hertz is generated for a person viewing the display device. Depending on the predetermined and programmed memory contents, this image c:an be a fixed or a moving text image made up of alphanumeric: symbols, or it may be a graphic image.
Naturally, combination~> of such symbols and images are also possible.
In order to achieve a greater reading angle for an individual who is viewing the display device, the LED heads 6 can be inclined, it being preferred that such an inclination be vertical. In addition, SMD LED's can be used as an alternative.
A flexible spring ;steel rod 7 is secured to the side of the printed circuit board 4 that is opposite the LED carrier 5.
If so desired, there can be a weight 8 on the unattached face of the spring steel rod 7, it being preferred that this weight 8 be displaceable longitudinally on said spring steel rod 7. This provides for optimal balancing that is matched to both the construction of the device arid to operating conditions.
In place of the spring steel rod 7, i.t is also possible to use a rod that is of anpther material that has comparable properties, the elastic: deformability of the rod being an essential material characteristic. In addition, instead of the spring steel rod 7, it is possible to select a rod that can be folded once or several times,, or released; it is also possible to use a telescoping rod that. automatically deploys to its operating length during' rotation, as a result of centrifugal force.
As the arrangement begins to rotate about the axis of rotation 21, because of the increasing centrifugal force, the spring steel rod 7 or the equivalent rod element aligns itself to a horizontal or almost horizontal position or to a position that is on a line extended through the printed circuit board and thus, _g_ when in the operating position, stabilizes and balances the device. The counterweight 8 that is attached to the end of the spring steel rod 7 forms a counterweight for the LED array 5, 6 that is used. The entire display device thus stands securely, i without the need for special, additional attachment to abase.
The use of a flexible, folding, or telescoping balancing element 7 in place of a rigid, mechanical, balance body entails the advantage of simpler assembly, in particular assembly of the complete device in a housing 31 with small access openings.
The entire arrangement, as described above, together with its components, is usua7_ly installed in an enclosed housing 31. The housing 31 is essentially a spherical, cylindrical, or other rotationally symmetrical housing. The spherical body 31 is i of a transparent material, for example, acrylic glass, plastic, glass, or the like. A preferred spherical body 31 that is used has a diameter of approximatE~ly 30 cm and, in contrast to this, has much smaller access; openings through which the above-described arrangement i.s introduced into the housing 31. The U housing 31 is then supported on the base or pedestal 1 on which the electric motor 2 i~~ mounted.
In principle, the ~~rinted circuit board 4 could also be mounted outside the housing :31. In this case, the electrical triggering commands would be sent directly to the LED's 6 by way of the electrical connections 32. However, arrangement of the printed circuit board 4 within the housing 31 is a preferred construction since all the elements can be accommodated completely within the r~ousinc~ 31, and the LED displayed device forms a self-contained struci~ural unit. The housing 31 also protects the printed circuit board 4 against dirt and other injurious environmental. factors.
The electric motor 2 is connected by a supply cable to the power supply by a supply cable that is routed through the base 1, so the system c:an be supplied with the required electrical energy when the system is switched on.
As is shown in Figure 2 to Figure 6, the induction principle is used to provide for the non-contact transfer of electrical energy to the printed circuit board. This version exploits the fact that a voltage is generated (induced) in an i electrical conductor ii. the magnetic flux is varied over time by a surface that is enclosed'by this electrical conductor. Thus, when the circuit is closed, a current flows without the need for a voltage source within the ~~ircuit. The voltage is generated according to specific oequir~ements:
U
- if the electrica=l conductor is so moved within a magnetic field that it int<~rsects the lines of force of this field;
- if the electrical conductor is kept stationary and the magnet is moved;
- if the electrical conductor and the magnet are kept stationary but the magnetic field is changed;
- if the electrical conductor and the magnet remain at rest when the magnetic field is fixed, and a substance with another relative permeability is introduced into the magnetic field;
- if the electrical conductor is curved.
In all of the cases set out above, a voltage is induced by changing the magnetic i=lux over time.
Figure 2 shows an examp:Le of the non-contact transfer of energy diagrammatically. The electric motor 2 is connected to a power source through the supply cable 10 and drives the printed circuit board 4 with the LED's or groups of LED's 6 by way of the drive shaft 20. At the same 'time, a rotor 14 with a coil 15 is > caused to rotate. A f_Lxed stator 16 that is formed from two halves 17 is installed around the rotor 14, as can be clearly seen from the cross-section chown in Figure 3. The stator can be connected to either a DC or an AC power source, or it can also be a permanent magnet. The two lhalves 17 of the stator 16 are > arranged with their facie ends 18 spaced apart by the distance 19, so that there is an air gap left between them. The winding endings 13 of the coil l2 indicate an electrical connection to the printed circuit board 4, which is caused to rotate by the drive shaft 20. The coal 12 can be provided with an iron core or i a soft iron core (not :shown herein). In order to protect the coil 12 against the effects of weather, it can be embedded, at least partially, in sealing c:ompound.
In place of the t:wo ha:Lf sections 17, a number of sections can be arranged in a cp_rcle around the rotor 14. The number of sections 17, which is always an even number, is calculated according to the formu7_a n . 1/2, with n being an integer.
In this case, the fixed stator 16 consists of a permanent magnet 34 that is surrounded by an iron shell 35. The rotor 14, which rotates with the drive shaft 20 of the electric motor 2, has six coil forms 32 a rrangc=_d in a ring, the longitudinal axes of these coils being arranged radially so that the face ends of the coil forms 32 are wore o:r less parallel to and opposite the permanent magnet 34. In order to increase the induction effect, the six coil forms 32 are each the provided with an iron core or soft iron core 33, the cross section of which is advantageously the anchor shape shown in Figure 4. The winding ends of the coil forms 32 are connected to the printed circuit board 4 or the electronic components on the printed circuit board 4, as described heretofore.
Finally, Figure 5 shows another alternative version in which the electric motor 2 i~~ supp:Lied with electrical power through the supply cable 10 anti cause=_s the printed circuit board 4 to rotate by means of the drive shaft 20. A primary coil 23 with a magnet core or coil core 24 (iron core, soft iron core) is arranged beneath the printed circuit board 4 so as to leave a small air gap 22 of up to 2 mm wide: the longitudinal axes of the coils are oriented at the approximately right angles to the printed circuit board 4. A :secondary coil 25 beneath the printed circuit board is directly opposite this primary coil 23.so_that the two face ends of the coils 23 and 25 are approximately parallel to each other. A coil core 26 of this secondary coil can be let into the underside of the printed circuit board 4.
However, the secondary coil 25 can also be attached to the underside of the printed circuit board 4 or the applied by layering technique.
The inductive transfer of energy using this alternative is effected by having electrica7~ energy from the primary circuit (primary coil) act on the secondary coil.
Various embod.iment:~ of the present invention are described in greater deaail below using the drawings appended hereto. These drawings show i=ollowing:
Figure 1: the principles of t=he display device, in cross section along the axis of rotation of the arrangement;
Figure 2: a section of the non-contact energy transfer system at enlarged scale, indicated by the circle II in Figure 1;
Figure 3: a cross section through the embodiment shown in Figure s 3 on the line IV-IV in Figure 3;
Figure 4: an alternative to i~he embodiment shown in Figure 3, in a similar cross-secaion on the line IV-IV in Figure Figure 5: another embodiment of the non-contact energy transfers system in a ~;implified cross section.
Figure 1 shouts a preferred embodiment of the LED
display device according to i~he present invention in cross section along the axis of roi~ation 21 of the array. An electric motor 2 is mounted on a column, pedestal, or similar mounting or 5 supporting device 1; this moi~or is designed to provide a suitable speed, for example, from approximately 1000 to 3000 rpm, preferably from approximately 2000 to 3000 rpm. A synchronous motor is usually used as the electric motor 2 although, of course, other motors can be used to the extent that they are s suitable for the intended purpose.
A coupler 3 is secured to the drive shaft 20 of the electric motor 2 in order to couple a printed circuit board 4 to the electric motor 2 so as to ensure that it rotates with the drive shaft 20. The printed circuit board 4 is mounted on this coupler 3 or on the output side of the coupler 3 so as to be oriented at an angle of approximately 90° to the axis of rotation 21 of the drive shaft 20. Tht~ circuit board 4 contains the complete electronic circuitry for controlling the display device.
Essentially, this includes the triggering circuits for the LED's 6 or LED groups 6 by way of a source of regulated direct current, a non-volatile memory for the alphalphanumeric symbols and/or graphic symbols, and a symbol generator to convert the sequence of symbols or graphic ~~ymbol:~ into the appropriate LED triggering commands.
> The electronic pi:inted circuit board 4 also serves as a mechanical mounting for' a carrier 5 that is arranged in the preferred manner to be at approximately right angles to the printed circuit board 4., i.e., more or less parallel to the axis of rotation 21. At lea~~t one preferably vertical row of LED's or i group of LED's 6 is attached to the carrier so as to extend radially outward, i.e.) so a;s to be essentially perpendicular to the drive shaft 20 or axis o:f rotation 21.
The LED's 6 on the carrier 5 are coloured light-emitting diodes in specific ~~olours and colour sequences. ; LED's of constantly changing colours as well as LED's of the same colour can be used. The selection of the colour depends essentially on the type of display that is planned. The application is, of course, not restricted to one row of sixteen LED's 6. Depending on t:he particular abdication, the row can contain more or fewer hED's 6.
The control system on the printed circuit board 4 ensures that that the desired LED's 6 light up in a pre-determined time sequence in accordance with a stored program. In general, the type of font (bold, cursive, etc.) and the transit 5 speed of the symbols and or graphic symbols is fixed, and the user can only select a desired sequence of symbols and/or graphic symbols, which is then input. However, by using a more costly and flexible programming tool, the type of font, transit time, or other parameters of thE~ sequence of symbols and/or graphic o symbols that is to be displayed can be selected by the user as desired.
In addition i.o controlling the device by way of a computer 28 with infra--red activation 27, the above-described device can also, as an alternative, be activated directly by s means of an infra-red remote control system 29. The infra-red sensors 30 is mounted on a'rotating part such as, for example, the carrier 5 or on the printed circuit board 4, in such a way that it rotates with it. If the infra-red sensor 30 is installed on a rotating part, this entails the advantage that data can be i transferred to the so-called spherical display from all directions using the remote-control system.
In principle, the frequency range used for transferring data with a remote control system 29 is not restricted to the infra-red range, although it is used here because it is used in commercially available remote control systems.
Since, as a rule, unlike the computer 28, the remote control system 29 does not have a screen or other display elements in order to check the data that has been input, in the case of data transfer using t;he remote control system 29, the i display device itself with it:s LED's 6 serves as a display for checking the data input.
Because of the high speed of the drive shaft 20 of the electric motor 2, which is, for example, approximately 3000 rpm, a "stationary" image wit=h an image repetition frequency of approximately 50 Hertz is generated for a person viewing the display device. Depending on the predetermined and programmed memory contents, this image c:an be a fixed or a moving text image made up of alphanumeric: symbols, or it may be a graphic image.
Naturally, combination~> of such symbols and images are also possible.
In order to achieve a greater reading angle for an individual who is viewing the display device, the LED heads 6 can be inclined, it being preferred that such an inclination be vertical. In addition, SMD LED's can be used as an alternative.
A flexible spring ;steel rod 7 is secured to the side of the printed circuit board 4 that is opposite the LED carrier 5.
If so desired, there can be a weight 8 on the unattached face of the spring steel rod 7, it being preferred that this weight 8 be displaceable longitudinally on said spring steel rod 7. This provides for optimal balancing that is matched to both the construction of the device arid to operating conditions.
In place of the spring steel rod 7, i.t is also possible to use a rod that is of anpther material that has comparable properties, the elastic: deformability of the rod being an essential material characteristic. In addition, instead of the spring steel rod 7, it is possible to select a rod that can be folded once or several times,, or released; it is also possible to use a telescoping rod that. automatically deploys to its operating length during' rotation, as a result of centrifugal force.
As the arrangement begins to rotate about the axis of rotation 21, because of the increasing centrifugal force, the spring steel rod 7 or the equivalent rod element aligns itself to a horizontal or almost horizontal position or to a position that is on a line extended through the printed circuit board and thus, _g_ when in the operating position, stabilizes and balances the device. The counterweight 8 that is attached to the end of the spring steel rod 7 forms a counterweight for the LED array 5, 6 that is used. The entire display device thus stands securely, i without the need for special, additional attachment to abase.
The use of a flexible, folding, or telescoping balancing element 7 in place of a rigid, mechanical, balance body entails the advantage of simpler assembly, in particular assembly of the complete device in a housing 31 with small access openings.
The entire arrangement, as described above, together with its components, is usua7_ly installed in an enclosed housing 31. The housing 31 is essentially a spherical, cylindrical, or other rotationally symmetrical housing. The spherical body 31 is i of a transparent material, for example, acrylic glass, plastic, glass, or the like. A preferred spherical body 31 that is used has a diameter of approximatE~ly 30 cm and, in contrast to this, has much smaller access; openings through which the above-described arrangement i.s introduced into the housing 31. The U housing 31 is then supported on the base or pedestal 1 on which the electric motor 2 i~~ mounted.
In principle, the ~~rinted circuit board 4 could also be mounted outside the housing :31. In this case, the electrical triggering commands would be sent directly to the LED's 6 by way of the electrical connections 32. However, arrangement of the printed circuit board 4 within the housing 31 is a preferred construction since all the elements can be accommodated completely within the r~ousinc~ 31, and the LED displayed device forms a self-contained struci~ural unit. The housing 31 also protects the printed circuit board 4 against dirt and other injurious environmental. factors.
The electric motor 2 is connected by a supply cable to the power supply by a supply cable that is routed through the base 1, so the system c:an be supplied with the required electrical energy when the system is switched on.
As is shown in Figure 2 to Figure 6, the induction principle is used to provide for the non-contact transfer of electrical energy to the printed circuit board. This version exploits the fact that a voltage is generated (induced) in an i electrical conductor ii. the magnetic flux is varied over time by a surface that is enclosed'by this electrical conductor. Thus, when the circuit is closed, a current flows without the need for a voltage source within the ~~ircuit. The voltage is generated according to specific oequir~ements:
U
- if the electrica=l conductor is so moved within a magnetic field that it int<~rsects the lines of force of this field;
- if the electrical conductor is kept stationary and the magnet is moved;
- if the electrical conductor and the magnet are kept stationary but the magnetic field is changed;
- if the electrical conductor and the magnet remain at rest when the magnetic field is fixed, and a substance with another relative permeability is introduced into the magnetic field;
- if the electrical conductor is curved.
In all of the cases set out above, a voltage is induced by changing the magnetic i=lux over time.
Figure 2 shows an examp:Le of the non-contact transfer of energy diagrammatically. The electric motor 2 is connected to a power source through the supply cable 10 and drives the printed circuit board 4 with the LED's or groups of LED's 6 by way of the drive shaft 20. At the same 'time, a rotor 14 with a coil 15 is > caused to rotate. A f_Lxed stator 16 that is formed from two halves 17 is installed around the rotor 14, as can be clearly seen from the cross-section chown in Figure 3. The stator can be connected to either a DC or an AC power source, or it can also be a permanent magnet. The two lhalves 17 of the stator 16 are > arranged with their facie ends 18 spaced apart by the distance 19, so that there is an air gap left between them. The winding endings 13 of the coil l2 indicate an electrical connection to the printed circuit board 4, which is caused to rotate by the drive shaft 20. The coal 12 can be provided with an iron core or i a soft iron core (not :shown herein). In order to protect the coil 12 against the effects of weather, it can be embedded, at least partially, in sealing c:ompound.
In place of the t:wo ha:Lf sections 17, a number of sections can be arranged in a cp_rcle around the rotor 14. The number of sections 17, which is always an even number, is calculated according to the formu7_a n . 1/2, with n being an integer.
In this case, the fixed stator 16 consists of a permanent magnet 34 that is surrounded by an iron shell 35. The rotor 14, which rotates with the drive shaft 20 of the electric motor 2, has six coil forms 32 a rrangc=_d in a ring, the longitudinal axes of these coils being arranged radially so that the face ends of the coil forms 32 are wore o:r less parallel to and opposite the permanent magnet 34. In order to increase the induction effect, the six coil forms 32 are each the provided with an iron core or soft iron core 33, the cross section of which is advantageously the anchor shape shown in Figure 4. The winding ends of the coil forms 32 are connected to the printed circuit board 4 or the electronic components on the printed circuit board 4, as described heretofore.
Finally, Figure 5 shows another alternative version in which the electric motor 2 i~~ supp:Lied with electrical power through the supply cable 10 anti cause=_s the printed circuit board 4 to rotate by means of the drive shaft 20. A primary coil 23 with a magnet core or coil core 24 (iron core, soft iron core) is arranged beneath the printed circuit board 4 so as to leave a small air gap 22 of up to 2 mm wide: the longitudinal axes of the coils are oriented at the approximately right angles to the printed circuit board 4. A :secondary coil 25 beneath the printed circuit board is directly opposite this primary coil 23.so_that the two face ends of the coils 23 and 25 are approximately parallel to each other. A coil core 26 of this secondary coil can be let into the underside of the printed circuit board 4.
However, the secondary coil 25 can also be attached to the underside of the printed circuit board 4 or the applied by layering technique.
The inductive transfer of energy using this alternative is effected by having electrica7~ energy from the primary circuit (primary coil) act on the secondary coil.
Claims (6)
1. Device for displaying alphanumeric and/or graphic symbols with - a housing (31) in which an electric motor (2) drives a carrier (5), on which is arranged at least one row of light-emitting diodes or groups of light-emitting diodes (6) that are oriented to be essentially perpendicular to the drive shaft (20) of the electric motor (2) and - a triggering circuit for the light-emitting diodes (6) on a printed circuit board (4), that can be caused to rotate by they electric motor (2), characterised by the generational or transformational non-contact transfer of electrical energy to the printed circuit board (4) effected by electromagnetic induction to supply the electronic and/or electro-mechanical components, a fixed stator (16, 34, 35) formed from permanent magnets being provided in the case of generational non-contact transfer, said rotor being arranged as a ring around or in, and spaced radially away from, a rotor (14) that is driven by the electric motor (2), said rotor being provided with coil forms (33) that accommodate windings (15, 32), the ends (13) of said coils being connected to the printed circuit board (4) or elements on the printed circuit board (4) that are to be supplied with electrical energy, the longitudinal axes of the plurality of coil forms (33) being oriented radially;
and in the case of the transformational non-contact transfer of electrical energy there is a secondary coil (25) arranged on the printed circuit board (4), this being opposite a primary coil (23) that is arranged on the output side of the motor and acted upon by electrical energy, and being separated from the secondary coil by a small air gap.
and in the case of the transformational non-contact transfer of electrical energy there is a secondary coil (25) arranged on the printed circuit board (4), this being opposite a primary coil (23) that is arranged on the output side of the motor and acted upon by electrical energy, and being separated from the secondary coil by a small air gap.
2. Device as defined in Claim 1, characterized in that the rotor (14) comprises four, preferably six, coil forms (33).
3. Device as defined in Claim 1, characterized in that the secondary coil (25) is applied to the printed circuit board (4) by layering technique or as a film.
4. Device as defined in Claim 3, characterized in that the secondary coil (25) is let into the surface of the printed circuit board (4).
5. Device as defined in Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the coil(s) (12, 15, 23, 25, 32) have/has (an) iron core(s).
6. Device as defined in Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the coils) (12, 15, 23, 25, 32) is/are imbedded in sealing compound.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE19702751A DE19702751A1 (en) | 1997-01-27 | 1997-01-27 | Device for displaying alpha-numeric characters and / or symbols |
| DE19702751.2 | 1997-01-27 | ||
| PCT/EP1998/000284 WO1998033164A1 (en) | 1997-01-27 | 1998-01-20 | Device for displaying alpha numeric symbols and/or graphic symbols |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2278768A1 true CA2278768A1 (en) | 1998-07-30 |
Family
ID=7818403
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002278768A Abandoned CA2278768A1 (en) | 1997-01-27 | 1998-01-20 | Device for displaying alpha numeric symbols and/or graphic symbols |
Country Status (9)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0954840B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP3338065B2 (en) |
| CN (1) | CN1244940A (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE217114T1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU6211598A (en) |
| BR (1) | BR9806993A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2278768A1 (en) |
| DE (2) | DE19702751A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1998033164A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN110379336A (en) * | 2019-07-19 | 2019-10-25 | 京东方科技集团股份有限公司 | A kind of display device and its display methods |
Families Citing this family (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KR20000005571A (en) | 1998-06-03 | 2000-01-25 | 유길수 | Apparatus and method for displaying alphanumeric characters and/or image |
| JP4627822B2 (en) | 1999-06-23 | 2011-02-09 | 株式会社半導体エネルギー研究所 | Display device |
| DE19943047A1 (en) * | 1999-09-09 | 2001-03-15 | Wittenstein Gmbh & Co Kg | Device for moving, in particular for rotating or linear moving an active load |
| US6943762B2 (en) | 2001-02-15 | 2005-09-13 | Newscanner, Plc | Visual message display device |
| US6816137B2 (en) | 2001-02-15 | 2004-11-09 | Newscanner, Plc | Visual message display device |
| KR20030069237A (en) * | 2002-02-19 | 2003-08-27 | 주식회사 인포기획 | Rotational information display device |
| DE10228669C1 (en) * | 2002-06-27 | 2003-04-24 | Autoliv Dev | Safety belt lock has illuminated button with electrically controllable lighting foil on visible front supplied with electrical power by source on fixed part with contactless air gap bridging |
| GB0802553D0 (en) * | 2008-02-12 | 2008-03-19 | Sentec Ltd | Planar rotary data transformer for spinning high definition display system |
| EP2743944B1 (en) * | 2012-12-13 | 2017-02-15 | Tyco Electronics Nederland B.V. | Contactless connector |
| CN103632617A (en) * | 2013-11-30 | 2014-03-12 | 鱼新民 | Full-color stereoscopic all-dimensional display device |
Family Cites Families (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB8908322D0 (en) * | 1989-04-13 | 1989-06-01 | Stellar Communicat Ltd | Display |
-
1997
- 1997-01-27 DE DE19702751A patent/DE19702751A1/en not_active Withdrawn
-
1998
- 1998-01-20 EP EP98904103A patent/EP0954840B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-01-20 AU AU62115/98A patent/AU6211598A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1998-01-20 AT AT98904103T patent/ATE217114T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1998-01-20 DE DE59803976T patent/DE59803976D1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-01-20 CN CN98802059A patent/CN1244940A/en active Pending
- 1998-01-20 JP JP53156198A patent/JP3338065B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1998-01-20 BR BR9806993-4A patent/BR9806993A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1998-01-20 CA CA002278768A patent/CA2278768A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1998-01-20 WO PCT/EP1998/000284 patent/WO1998033164A1/en active IP Right Grant
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN110379336A (en) * | 2019-07-19 | 2019-10-25 | 京东方科技集团股份有限公司 | A kind of display device and its display methods |
| CN110379336B (en) * | 2019-07-19 | 2021-12-10 | 京东方科技集团股份有限公司 | Display device and display method thereof |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JP2000513834A (en) | 2000-10-17 |
| BR9806993A (en) | 2000-03-14 |
| JP3338065B2 (en) | 2002-10-28 |
| WO1998033164A1 (en) | 1998-07-30 |
| EP0954840A1 (en) | 1999-11-10 |
| DE19702751A1 (en) | 1998-07-30 |
| AU6211598A (en) | 1998-08-18 |
| CN1244940A (en) | 2000-02-16 |
| EP0954840B1 (en) | 2002-05-02 |
| ATE217114T1 (en) | 2002-05-15 |
| DE59803976D1 (en) | 2002-06-06 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |