CN1739134A - Light emitting diode (LED) picture element - Google Patents

Abstract

A picture element lamp (302) is disclosed that mixes light from LEDs in a light guide (404). The light guide expands the perceived light source and can redirect the light toward viewing locations.

Description

Light emitting diode (LED) pixel

Priority request

The application requires the right of priority of following U.S. Provisional Patent Application:

The U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.60/428052 that on November 21st, 2002 submitted to, exercise question is " Method for Creating 360 Degree Viewable Pixels for LEDBased Large Screen Video Displays "; The U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.60/428577 that on November 22nd, 2002 submitted to, exercise question is the U.S. Provisional Application No.60/460861 that submits in " Thin Self Contained LEDPicture Element for Use in Large Format Low ResolutionDisplays " and on April 7th, 2003, and exercise question is " Light Emitting Diode (LED) Picture Element ".

Technical field

The present invention relates to lamp, particularly comprise the lamp of light emitting diode.

Background technology

At present, the existing video display of use light emitting diode (LED) mainly is subjected to the restriction of sighting distance.Pixel constitutes by red, green and blue LED bunch, if carry out suitable color homogenising, must observe this pixel from far distance.Use LED bunch also to guarantee when observing this screen, gamut can occur from off-center.When the observer moved and be offset to a side of this video display away from central shaft, the LED of this side began to make the LED deepening on the screen opposite side.According to structure and the quantity of LED, this may be a serious problem.

The other problem of existing video display be its screen be everywhere 8 to 12 inches dark, have and use required additional thickness.Can not easily they be reconfigured to be used for curved walls or other modification of ordering about by design.They can not be designed to accept shelf or become group mark or relevant with any other object in the environment in any way.

Utilize red, green and blue light-emitting diodes tube bundle (LED) can be divided into two classes, module sealing and open frame as the video display of pixel manufacturing.Make the module sealing screen in housing or framework, it comprises driving LED bunch of required processing, distribution and cable assembly in groups or that seal on big printed circuit board (PCB) (PCB) in independent housing.The front portion of these screens has covered window shutter to block the sunlight that reduces the video screen apparent contrast.By using batten system or network that the open frame screen design is become to have certain transparency.In the batten system, LED bunch is positioned on the long PCB.In network, on the part that LED bunch is installed to net.Neither one can be observed pixel from 360 degree in these screen configurations.

Summary of the invention

One embodiment of the present of invention comprise the system that is made of the lamp group.This lamp comprises the LED of different colours.Described lamp produces light by the light that mixes from the LED of different colours.This lamp comprises that photoconduction is to be dispersed in light on the big zone.This system also comprises and is suitable for using vision signal to control the control module of the color of lamp.

In one embodiment, this lamp is a rectangle.This rectangular lamps can comprise photoconduction, and it can receive the light that the LED from the top sends, and guides this light to change direction to the observation place.This photoconduction can scatter apparent source.

In other embodiments, this lamp comprises photoconduction, and it is projected into outside the substrate that comprises LED.Enter photoconduction and to external reflection from the light of LED.

One embodiment of the present of invention are to comprise the LED of different colours and the lamp of photoconduction, and this photoconduction spreads to the light of LED in the bigger zone.By mixing the LED of different colours, this lamp can produce the light with different colours.

One embodiment of the present of invention are the systems that comprise one group of lamp, and this lamp comprises LED, and this lamp comprises that photoconduction is to spread to light on the bigger zone; And comprise the control module that is suitable for adjusting LED brightness according to vision signal.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is the synoptic diagram of active display of having represented to use the pixel lamp of one embodiment of the present of invention.

Fig. 2 A is the application drawing that expression comprises framework, framework power supply unit and one group of lamp of control module.

Fig. 2 B is the synoptic diagram of the system of expression one embodiment of the present of invention.

Fig. 3 is the cross sectional representation of the pixel lamp of one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 4 is the xsect of the light source of one embodiment of the present of invention.

Fig. 5 A and 5B have represented the synoptic diagram of the photoconduction of one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 6 A and 6B have represented lamp is placed the synoptic diagram of the framework of one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 7 is the xsect that comprises the lamp that photoconduction goes out from base extension.

Fig. 8 A and 8B are the synoptic diagram of having represented the lamp of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is based on the synoptic diagram of the embodiment of flag-shaped.

Embodiment

Fig. 1 has represented the example of the pixel lamp display in the retail environment.This pixel lamp can be according to the vision signal display message.In this example, pixel lamp will mix from the light of red, green and blue led bunch.This pixel lamp preferably includes photoconduction to mix the light from LED.This photoconduction is dispersed in the origin of the light felt on the bigger zone, and guides this light to change the position of direction to the observer.

Fig. 2 A has represented to use the example of framework 202 and 204.Framework can comprise control module, for example control module 206 and 208.This control module can be a video driver for example.Control module on video data bus 210 from video processor 212 receiving video signals.Can use the vision signal of any type.Control module can select the subset of pixels of video data to drive the LED in lamp group 214 and 216.By address that provides on the addressing control bus 220 or the subclass that otherwise can determine pixel.In an example, this lamp group 212 is lamp grids of 8 * 8.Can select 8 * 8 interior subset of pixels of vision signal to determine the colouring information of this lamp.Can with in the video not only the data of a pixel be used for producing the solid color that will on the pixel lamp of lamp group 214 and 216, show.Control module can be used for adjusting according to vision signal the brightness of LED.Monochromatic embodiment can use the LED of same color to produce solid color, and perhaps " black and white " shows.

In one embodiment, will be transformed into the driving voltage of LED from the colouring information of video signal.The preferred LED that proofreaies and correct makes identical driving voltage produce similar color intensity for the LED of different colours.

Fig. 2 B has represented the synoptic diagram of one embodiment of the present of invention.In this example, the personal computer 250 control signal processors 254 that have local monitor 252.This signal processor can provide vision signal to a plurality of plates 256.Each plate is made of a plurality of lamps 258.

Fig. 3 has represented to comprise the framework 300 of lamp group 302.In the example of Fig. 3, this lamp has formed 8 * 8 grids.This lamp grid can be rule or irregular, may lose pixel, also may not lose.

Pixel lamp uses photoconduction with blend color and distribution light, makes that apparent source is the zone of broad, for example the front surface of lamp 302.This makes can observe this lamp more comfily from several feet distant places.Therefore low resolution picture element lamps is very suitable for deviser and architect it is incorporated in the video display in the retail environment.

In one embodiment, spacing, promptly the distance from the center of a pixel to the center of another pixel is not less than 20 millimeters.In a preferred embodiment, this spacing is 40mm or bigger.

In one embodiment, the width of the Pixel Dimensions of lamp is about 20mm or bigger.Because pixel lamp is bigger, so can avoid the shortcoming of prior art system.This pixel lamp is more much bigger than the lamp that is generally used in the video display.Video display efforts be made so that pixel is as far as possible little and use bigger pixel is counterintuitive.

Use the walls of pixels element also to relate to a large amount of principles except sighting distance, these principles have influence on the decision of using about low resolution video display.If the given expense of floor area in any buildings, then the degree of depth is the key issue in the design process.Can make the wall that is provided with pixel thinner.Low resolution video display can be suitable for the work of multiple technical requirement on design, keeps low-cost simultaneously.Low resolution video display can be easily in conjunction with other internal technology, for example shelf with become group mark.

In one embodiment, for the ease of safeguarding, each pixel is packaged into self-contained lamp.Housing has been hidden LED.

Fig. 4 has represented the xsect of the pixel lamp of one embodiment of the invention.LED can be installed on the printed circuit board (PCB) (PCB) 402 that the strip of pixel bottom distributes.Cable assembly can be connected to control module (drive plate) from PCB402, and this control module changes the video information of incident into the voltage of LED.To be directed in the photoconduction 404 from the light of LED.This photoconduction can be made of plastics, glass or other material.In one embodiment, photoconduction 404 has collimating apparatus 406 with the light of collimation from LED.Photoconduction 404 can also use facet 408 so that light is reflexed to the observation place forward.Facet 408 preferred use total internal reflections.In one embodiment, photoconduction uses diffusion on front surface 410, for example the Fresnel grating.Can utilize reflecting material to handle the back side and/or the side of housing, perhaps the back side of housing and/or side are made of reflecting material.The light that lamp is sent is directed to selectable lid 412 forward.This lid 412 can be diffusing panel and/or the colored contrast with the raising color.

Fig. 5 A and 5B show the side view and the top view of the photoconduction of one embodiment of the invention.In one embodiment, lamp is installed in the framework.This framework can be a plastic frame in light weight and that be easy to make.This plastic frame can also hold power supply and control module (video driver board).In one embodiment, the back side of housing is characterised in that clamp plate system, and it can make housing directly be installed on the wall.As shown in Figure 3, this framework can be custom-shaped curved surface or that have enhancing pixel lamp practicality.This framework can also have perforation, tightens and is screwed in the structural system by the low resolution light-emitting diode display to allow shelf or other part.

Fig. 6 A and 6B show being connected of part frame 604 of pixel lamp housing 602 and present embodiment.In this example, lamp 602 comprises lid 604 and housing 606.Housing 606 comprises extension 606a, its bonding part framework 604 so that housing snap in the framework.

Can use the LED of mounted on surface.The LED of mounted on surface is more expensive, but can obtain compacter lamp.Can use the discrete hybrid lightguide that has or do not have reverberator, so that realize color uniformity more completely.LED can install perpendicular to photoconduction.Can use organic LED (OLED) to make pixel lamp.Can also use through hole LED.Housing can be used as substrate, by utilizing bolt hole the plexiglas front surface is installed, and this front surface is supported by the structural detail under the housing.This lamp can independently use from the housing dismounting and with identical distribute power and video driver.Pixel Dimensions is not fixed.Can in a system, use the pixel lamp of different size.Because the ohmic loss in the cable, drive plate should be adjusted cable length.Dissimilar materials can be used as photoconduction.If do not pay the utmost attention to contrast, then can under the situation that does not have the colored plastic front surface, make screen.Can pack into does not have the iron core of electronic equipment or vinyl cover, and it has the function pixel in grid.Reticulate pattern front surface or other coverture can adhere to or be suspended on the front of pixel.Can on front surface, use coating to improve contrast.Can use LED bunch of two ends to make the output of light and the color mix maximization of pixel lamp.This pixel lamp can be contained in transparent plastic or the glass sheet.This pixel lamp can be used for edge light shelf or one-tenth group mark backlight.

The material of this lamp can be the material that IP66 or IP68 examine and revise, thereby can externally use this lamp.In one embodiment, LED is arranged on the PCB of redness, green and blue led bunch in groups.Preferred this LED of calibration makes the conventional video driver that is used for LED produce the light that can mix with lamp of the present invention in photoconduction.

Pixel lamp can use vision signal to come in the shop or other position provides the dynamic light-emitting effect.This vision signal can be the pre-stored signal that is stored in storage media, and this medium can be for example DVD or computer memory.Alternatively, this vision signal can be from the signal of camera or the signal of computing machine generation.

Another embodiment of the present invention has been used the photoconduction from base extension.Fig. 7 shows the cross-sectional view of the photoconduction 702 that comprises chamber 704.In this example, photoconduction 702 is spherical.The light that will send from the LED on the PCB706 sends in the photoconduction 702.This photoconduction can comprise the collimating apparatus adjacent with PCB706.This photoconduction 702 comprises facet in the chamber.The lamp 700 of Fig. 7 can be provided with in groups.Fig. 8 A and 8B show the example of the photoconduction of a pixel lamp that is used for Fig. 7.Other possible shape comprises ball, cube, magnitude.

Photoconduction can be used to generate big video and show, wherein can observe each pixel from 360 degree vertical direction and 160 degree horizontal directions.Pixel lamp can be placed on any position between lamp and the required Video processing.

Existing screen has fixing relation aspect spacing, this spacing is the measuring of distance from pixel center to next pixel center.Utilize 10mm screen that modular enclosure method makes 10mm screen always.The design of spherical pixel lamp makes the deviser can utilize the scale mode to change the interior spacing of a screen, and this screen is installed simultaneously.

LED bunch can be mounted on surface equipment (SMD).In one embodiment, base variety is made of at least one redness, green and the blue led that are installed on the PCB.Cable assembly is connected to drive plate 6 from LED bunch.Cable assembly can be or can not be the specified IP68 of outdoor use.The photoconduction assembly can comprise visible element, bulb for example, and can comprise neck and collimation lens (not shown).Can select parts in this assembly according to employed LED.Photoconduction can be made of optical deterioration PMMA/ acrylic acid and other material.The diffusing layer that is used for scattered light outside bulb can be used as coating or is applied to bulb as surface treatment.Described coating can also comprise UV coating and antireflecting coating.

Control module, for example drive plate can send to LED bunch with line voltage along cable assembly.Will be from LED bunch the photoconduction light inlet guide assembly.If used LED type needs, originally photoconduction can be used for mixing the color of independent redness, green and blue led.Light can be delivered in the visible part of photoconduction subsequently, bulb for example, and the light reflection till illumination is mapped to the bulb outside, can be handled this bulb so that the light in the photoconduction overflows in this part.This makes optronics.

Can in system, use this pixel lamp of any amount.In order to make light output and blend of colors maximization, can use together at two ends and manage and LED bunch.Photoconduction can be that irregular shape and height are to generate video topography.The LED of mounted on surface may not need hybrid lightguide and much smaller bulb part.High strength white (or other color) LED can be below the centre shines the light space, video pixel makes lamp luminous simultaneously.This has become the pixel in the pixel in essence.

Coating can be used to improve contrast.The material that optionally is used for photoconduction can be a polycarbonate for example.The LED of any amount can also be used as the combination of different colours.Comprise based on the application of the pixel lamp of bulb and to be used for making a performance tour and video ceiling, video partition wall, the video heavy curtain of porch window dressing.This screen can also use in conjunction with a plurality of hard translucent covertures with soft.

One embodiment of the present of invention have been used one group of bigger pixel lamp.In one embodiment, the Pixel Dimensions of at least some lamps is more than or equal to 20mm.At least one LED can be used to generate the light of different colours.Control module is suitable for setting according to vision signal the color of lamp.

Utilize aforesaid photoconduction can make up this lamp.This photoconduction can be dispersed in light on the zone of broad.Light from the LED of different colours is mixed in the photoconduction.

Alternatively, can use embodiment with photoconduction.Can use large-sized LED.In one embodiment, can use the LED that utilizes same signal to drive to organize or LED bunch.Can be with (a plurality of) LED, LED group or LED bunch of outside that is placed on lamp.Like this, can generate Pixel Dimensions greater than 20mm.

Can use organic LED (OLED) and polymer LED (PLED).OLED and PLED are effective especially for the embodiment that does not have photoconduction.

Except retail environment, embodiments of the invention also are effectively for many other purposes, comprise concert tour, TV work, other architectural environment, club, theme park, company or the like.In one embodiment, the user can be used to form scenic elements with lamp.

The purposes that also has many lamps in furniture for example is used for desktop, Chinese style/Japanese Accordion, counter surface, headpiece and shelf.This lamp can be used for replacing the traditional ceramics/mosaic brick in bathroom etc. for example.

This lamp can be used as floor and ceiling tile.This lamp can cover the outside of buildings or be used for making door.This lamp can also be used for traffic lights and out of Memory show tags.Use lamp of the present invention may need less LED and compacter more than current traffic signal lamp system.Photoconduction can be curved or erose (octagon, mosaic brick or the like).Photoconduction can be whole object: the body panel on chair, desktop, the automobile for example.

Employed framework can be made of resilient material, for example rubber.This can make framework be connected to for example curved wall.This framework can be hinged.

What this lamp can be a light from the edge is the sort of, so that the gap is less or very close to each other between this lamp and the ceramic tile.This ceramic tile can have bevelled edge, makes this LED shine at a certain angle from behind.Can use catoptron, prism or other optical device to come reflected light.This can make this system slightly dark, but it can eliminate/minimize each pixel framework on every side.

In one embodiment, when closing LED, this photoconduction is normally transparent, and is suitable for use as window.When opening, photoconduction sends the light that has color.

In one embodiment, the big diffusing globe that covers a plurality of lamps is placed on the front portion of lamp, to form seamless image.This diffusing globe can be placed at a distance of certain distance with lamp.

In one embodiment, circuit board and photoconduction are placed in the metal framework, and do not have assembly that these two is kept together before in placing them in framework.This framework and photoconduction can be the molded acrylic or the polycarbonate of monolithic.In this piece, the circuit board that comprises LED can be flute profile in position.

In one embodiment, photoconduction can comprise initiatively and non-active area.Non-active area can be not luminous significantly as active area.The active area of photoconduction can with led light source in the bigger acrylic sheet at a distance of a segment distance, rather than start from led light source immediately.

Photoconduction can have the reflecting material of variable density.A kind of purposes of variable reflecting material density is to be used to help it to keep uniform light output when the light intensity from light source descends.Gradient pattern can keep apparent intensity constant.

In one embodiment, wall can be made by a plurality of vertical bars, and wherein photoconduction is luminous from these rods in fixing or variable mode.These rods self also can move.Fig. 9 shows the example of this embodiment.

In one embodiment, lamp is the plastic/glass of stratiform, and wherein LED and photoconduction are included in the layer structure.All elements all are transparent.

The silk screen stamp can be used for generating different shape and pattern on lamp.The reflecting material of photoconduction back can be used for closing the different image of light time demonstration.

This lamp can be list or dual color version.Monochrome type can produce white and black displays effectively.The information of list or dual color version can obtain according to vision signal.

Can use wireless connections, for example WiFi, Bluetooth etc. are wirelessly connected to control element with this lamp.

This lamp can be connected to trigger, for example doorbell.This lamp can use music to set lighting function.For example, can use sound signal to produce the vision signal that drives lamp.This lamp can be connected to clock is launched different colours with the different moment by day light.This lamp can have the touch sensitive surface of excitation luminescence.Can use interaction feedback to trigger the light that sensor sends, thus sense weight, sound, heat/move, and/or ambient light levels.

In one embodiment, using the video output of lamp last in the sequence to help remote control checks this system to work.

In one embodiment, used lamellated plate, wherein LED and photoconduction are included in the layer structure of transparent panel.This transparent panel can be polycarbonate or other suitable arbitrarily optical material of acrylic acid, glass.

In one embodiment, dichroic or other redness, green and blue color filter are used with White LED light source, be used for the lighting source of photoconduction with generation.

In order to illustrate and to describe, the front provides the description for the preferred embodiments of the present invention, is not intended to exhaustive or limits the invention to disclosed concrete form.Various changes and modifications all are conspicuous for the person of ordinary skill in the relevant.Select also to describe embodiment, thereby can make others skilled in the art understand each embodiment of the present invention and the modification of the application-specific that is suitable for being expected so that explain principle of the present invention and practical use thereof best.Scope of the present invention is limited by claim and equivalent thereof.

Claims (47)

1. system comprises:

The lamp group, lamp wherein comprises the LED of different colours, makes this lamp can send the light with different colours, and the described only light of the LED by mixing different colours produces, and this lamp comprises that photoconduction is to be dispersed in light on the bigger zone; And

Control module is suitable for the color according to vision signal driving lamp.

2. system according to claim 1, wherein this lamp comprises lamp housing.

3. system according to claim 1, wherein this LED is placed on the circuit board.

4. system according to claim 1, wherein this lamp group grid that is lamp.

5. system according to claim 4, wherein the spacing between the lamp is 20mm or bigger.

6. system according to claim 1, wherein this lamp comprises diffusing panel.

7. system according to claim 6, wherein this diffusing panel has improved the contrast of color.

8. system according to claim 1 wherein incides in the end of photoconduction from the light of LED and from the front end outgoing of photoconduction.

9. system according to claim 1, wherein this photoconduction comprises collimating apparatus.

10. system according to claim 1, wherein this photoconduction comprises facet, to be used for reflected light forward.

11. system according to claim 1, wherein this photoconduction is a rectangle.

12. system according to claim 1, wherein this photoconduction comes out from base extension.

13. system according to claim 1, wherein this photoconduction has formed bulb.

14. system according to claim 13, wherein this bulb comprises center cavity.

15. system according to claim 1 comprises that further framework is to keep the lamp group.

16. system according to claim 15 further comprises the additional frame that comprises another lamp group.

17. system according to claim 1 further comprises the video processor that is suitable for providing to control module vision signal.

18. system according to claim 1, wherein this control module uses the subset of pixels in the vision signal.

19. system according to claim 18, wherein this subclass is determined by address information.

20. a system comprises:

The lamp group, the Pixel Dimensions of at least some lamps is greater than or equal to 20mm, and uses at least one LED to produce the light of different colours; With

Control module is suitable for the color according to vision signal setting lamp.

21. system according to claim 20, wherein this lamp comprises that photoconduction is to be dispersed in light on the zone of broad.

22. system according to claim 21, wherein the light from the LED of different colours mixes in photoconduction.

23. system according to claim 20, wherein this lamp group grid that is lamp.

24. system according to claim 20 has wherein used large-sized LBD.

25. system according to claim 20 wherein utilizes same signal to drive a plurality of LED on the lamp or LED bunch, to generate single pixel lamp.

26. system according to claim 20, wherein this LED is an organic LED.

27. system according to claim 20, wherein this LED is a polymer LED.

28. a system comprises:

The lamp group, this lamp comprises LED, this lamp comprises that photoconduction is to be dispersed in light on the bigger zone; And

Control module is suitable for adjusting according to vision signal the brightness of LED.

29. method according to claim 28, wherein this light fixture has multi-colored ledly, and control module is suitable for driving according to vision signal the color of lamp.

30. system according to claim 28, wherein this lamp comprises lamp housing.

31. system according to claim 28, wherein LED is placed on the circuit board.

32. system according to claim 28, wherein this lamp group grid that is lamp.

33. system according to claim 32, wherein the spacing between the lamp is 20mm or bigger.

34. system according to claim 28, wherein this lamp comprises diffusing panel.

35. system according to claim 34, wherein this diffusing panel has improved the contrast of color.

36. system according to claim 28 wherein incides an end of photoconduction from the light of LED, and from the front end outgoing of photoconduction.

37. system according to claim 28, wherein this photoconduction comprises collimating apparatus.

38. system according to claim 28, wherein this photoconduction comprises and is used for catoptrical forward facet.

39. system according to claim 28, wherein this photoconduction is a rectangle.

40. system according to claim 28, wherein this photoconduction comes out from base extension.

41. system according to claim 28, wherein this photoconduction has formed bulb.

42. according to the described system of claim 41, wherein this bulb comprises center cavity.

43. system according to claim 28 comprises that further framework is to keep this lamp group.

44., further comprise the additional frame that comprises another lamp group according to the described system of claim 43.

45. system according to claim 28 further comprises the video processor that is suitable for providing to control module vision signal.

46. system according to claim 28, wherein this control module has used the subset of pixels in the vision signal.

47. according to the described system of claim 46, wherein this subclass is determined by address information.

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