EP0615219A1

EP0615219A1 - Display structure for variable-message color panels

Info

Publication number: EP0615219A1
Application number: EP94103718A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Raffaello Marini; Walter Bersani; Giovanni Battista Montresor
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-03-11
Filing date: 1994-03-10
Publication date: 1994-09-14
Also published as: IT1263495B; ITVR930020A1; ITVR930020A0

Abstract

Display structure for variable-message color panels, comprising a supporting framework, including a plurality of modular surfaces that are arranged side by side and can be moved according to a program on a display plane, like the tesserae of a mosaic, each modular surface bearing a digitized monochrome portion to form composite images obtained by the combination of a preset number of modular surfaces, as well as elements for positioning the modular surfaces, and program-controlled elements for controlling the positioning elements.

Description

The present invention relates to a display structure for variable-message color panels.
As is known, information panels for advertising or other purposes usually have a single information message which is replaced when required by specialized personnel. Panels including rotating prisms, in which each prism supports a vertical or horizontal slice of the panel, have recently become popular, and at least two different messages can thus be accessed in the same space by each panel.
Although this construction with prism-like elements allows to provide multiple displays, it requires specialized personnel for the replacement and setup of the image or message to be installed on the panel.
Ribbon-like information panels that bear images usually directly joined to other images are also known, especially in the sports advertising field. In this case, too, each portion of the panel contains a complete non-modifiable image which accordingly must be replaced completely in case the message or part of it is to be changed.
In the prior art, a message illustration system is known from US patent no. 4,733,487 in the name of Gassmann, which has a series of strings of preset characters arranged along mutually perpendicular rows and columns, with sliding selection sliders that can define a message to be displayed.
US patent no. 4,986,014 in the name of Gassmann discloses a message illustration system provided with a belt that supports cross-like elements that form a supporting surface for portions of panels that can be arranged mutually adjacent on an appropriate display surface.
In both cases, these are solutions for advertising panels that however have severe operation problems as regards rapid adaptability to the requirements of communication, on-site use of specialized personnel and high investment costs.
An aim of the present invention is to eliminate or substantially reduce the drawbacks described above by providing a display structure for variable-message color panels that can dispense with any permanent or semipermanent physical link between the image to be displayed and the surface of the panel.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a display structure that allows on the one hand to form a very large number of preselected images and on the other hand allows to display said images rapidly even according to sudden and occasional requirements without any intervention of personnel at the site where the display structure is installed.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a display structure for variable-message color panels that is relatively easy to manufacture and at competitive costs.
These and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved, according to the invention, by a display structure for variable-message color panels that comprises a supporting framework, a plurality of modular surfaces that can be moved according to a program on a display plane, likewise tesserae of a mosaic, each modular surface bearing a digitized monochrome portion to form composite images obtained by the combination of a preset number of modular surfaces, means for actuating the modular surfaces, and program-controlled means for controlling the actuation means.
Further features and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of some preferred but not exclusive embodiments of a display structure for variable-message color panels, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

figure 1 is a perspective view of a display panel according to the invention;
figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a detail of the display structure of figure 1;
figure 3 is a perspective view of a basic unit in the form of an endless belt mounted on supports for its sliding movement;
figure 4 is a plan view, with some parts shown in cross-section, of the basic unit of figure 3;
figure 5 is a perspective view of a stack of basic units of figure 3, supported within confining walls;
figure 6 is a perspective view of a module that is obtained from a plurality of stacks of figure 5 arranged side by side;
figure 7 is a front elevation view of a portion of a supporting structure for a plurality of modules of figure 6;
figure 8 is a plan view of the structure of figure 7;
figure 9 is a side view of the structure of figure 7;
figure 10 is a diagram of a control or service center for the processing and transmission of the images to be displayed on the panel of figure 1;
figure 11 is a diagram of a control system for a plurality of panels of figure 1;
figure 12 is a lateral elevation view of another embodiment of the basic unit;
figure 13 is a top view, with some parts removed, of the basic unit of figure 12;
figure 14 is an enlarged-scale view of a detail of figure 12;
figure 15 is a view of the detail of figure 14 in a different operating condition;
figures 16, 17 and 18 are respectively a front elevation view, a left side view and a plan view of a support for sprocket rollers; and
figures 19, 20 and 21 are respectively a front elevation view, a left side view and a plan view of a leaf spring.

In the accompanying drawings, identical or similar parts or components have been designated by the same reference numerals.
Initially with reference to figures 1 to 11, a display structure for variable-message color panels 1 comprises a supporting framework 2 which is supported, for example, by a stand 3.
The framework 2 supports a plurality of base units 4 provided with modular surfaces 4a that are arranged side by side, so as to form a display plane like the tesserae of a mosaic. Advantageously, the display plane can be protected by a plate of transparent material 4b.
Each modular structure 4a has, or is constituted by, a monochrome portion, i.e. a preset tint of a selected color. The image to be displayed is formed by the combination of the individual monochrome portions that form the display surface.
Each modular surface 4a is part of a sequential plurality of monochrome modules provided on a respective moving conveyor belt 5. The various conveyor belts 5 have a preset number of modular surfaces 4a that can vary from a minimum of two to sixteen or more.
In the example shown in the drawings, the number of colors and thus of modular surfaces 4a is sixteen.
The order in the arrangement of the various colors on each belt 5 is not strictly binding, but it is the same on all the belts 5 of the basic units of a same display structure. If desired, the various modular surfaces 4a can be arranged sequentially after each other along the entire length of the respective belt 5, as shown in figure 3.
If continuous-tint modular surfaces 4a are provided, the definition of the colors, instead of being sharp, can have shades with the possibility of reproducing the entire color range.
A preset number of stacked belts 5, and therefore of basic units 4, for example eight, each provided with its own movement and control means, as explained hereinafter, is arranged between a pair of side walls 6 and 7, made for example of stainless steel plate, to form a sub-module or stack that extends vertically. A free front face of useful modular surfaces 4a is thus delimited in each sub-module, figure 5, together with a box-like rear face in which it is possible to insert an electronic board 8 for controlling the position of the various belts 5 present in the sub-module.
Control is performed by storing the instant at which a reference band 14, for example a magnetic tape or a band that reflects a particular electromagnetic radiation and the like, passes in front of detectors (further described below), for example commercially available optical or magnetic detectors or readers. By assuming the point where the band 14 is read by the board 8 as zero reference point, it is possible to select a preset modular surface 4a and place it on the front face of the sub-module.
A preset number of sub-modules, for example eight, arranged mutually side by side horizontally, forms a module, figure 6, which is substantially shaped like a parallelepiped; when arranged adjacent to other identical modules in the framework 2, it forms a panel 1. The various modules can be mounted in the framework 2 in a cantilevered manner, and for this purpose for each module there is a rear supporting plate 15, to which the sub-modules are fixed, for example bolted, and there are lateral lugs 16 that for example are integral with the plate 15 or are fixed to it, at each side of each module.
The means for moving each individual belt 5 in the various basic units can be constituted by a motor 18 (figures 3, 4 and 5) preferably arranged within the belt 5 and by a reduction and transmission unit that comprises a gear train 19 meant to drive a sprocket roller 25, for example made of plastic material, which acts as element for guiding and moving the belt 5. The belt 5 in fact winds around the sprocket roller 25 at the rear end of the respective base unit, whereas it is guided at its front end by two rollers 26 and 27, as shown in greater detail in figure 3.
If required, the motor 18 and the reduction unit 19 can also be located outside the respective belt 5, for example at the box-like rear part of each sub-module.
The sprocket roller 25 of each belt 5 and the rollers 26 and 27 are preferably supported at their respective pivots, respectively 20 and 21, in appropriate holes 22 formed in the walls 6 and 7. Advantageously, between the pivots 20 and 21 and the holes 22 it is possible to provide self-lubricating plastic rings or friction-reducing bearings.
Advantageously, the motor 18 and the gear train 19 are supported by a frame 17, made for example of plastic material, that can be fixed in holes or openings in the walls 6 and 7 (figure 4) in a snap-together manner.
As more clearly shown in figures 7, 8 and 9, the various modules, generally designated by the reference letters A, B, C, D, E, F in figure 7, are individually provided with a control board 23 that can be fixed to the respective plate 15. Each plate 15 can be fixed, by means of its lugs 16 and by using bolts, to the four plates of the adjacent modules. A suitable spacer 31 is used between the lugs 16 of the various modules to ensure the uniform spacing of said modules.
In order to strengthen the structure and at the same time allow to extract individual modules, for example to perform maintenance operations, there is provided a plurality of double-hinge posts 30, each one of which extends along the entire height of the framework 2 and lies between two adjacent columns of modules. Each module can be fixed laterally to two posts 30 by means of bolts 32. Advantageously, each post 30 is formed by a double hinge with vertical and parallel axes with L-shaped lateral wings 33 which can have, at the boards 23 of the various modules, a recess 34 to allow the hinges to open without interfering with the adjacent control boards 23.
The boards 8 of the sub-modules are electrically connected to the boards 23, which are in turn connected by serial communication to a local processor 40 which is located inside the respective panel 1. Said panel can be connected, by means of a modem 41 and a telephone line 42, to a control center 43 provided with its own modem 44, from which it receives the code of the images to be displayed, with the sequence and different display times for each individual image (figure 11).
The control center 43, which can be connected to a preset number of panels 1 or rather of remote processors 40, is equipped with a scanner 46 (figure 10) that acquires, from any medium, the image to be displayed, and a printer 45 for printing drafts of what has been obtained by means of the scanner which are required to determine the quality of the acquired and processed image. Changes can be made both to new images and to already-stored ones, improving their quality or updating their graphics.
The above described display structure allows to change in a relatively short time (on the order of a few seconds) the configuration of the displayed image. It should be noted that no manual intervention on the panel or panels 1 is required to accomplish this.
In the above described example, each modular surface 4 that lies between the rollers 27 and 26 can have a substantially square perimeter, with a side of approximately 25 mm or 12.5 mm. The modules can be 20 x 12 = 240, each having sixty-four or, respectively, 256 modular surfaces 4.
Naturally, as the dimensions of the picture element decrease, color definition increases together with the constructive complexity of the panel.
Advantageously, the motor 18 is a step motor, but it is also possible to use a motor of another kind, for example one provided with an encoder to detect the position of the belt 5.
Figures 12 to 21 illustrate another example of means for moving each individual belt 5 which comprise an electromagnet 50, that has a respective coil 51 and an external magnetic circuit 52, and a keeper 53. Said keeper is rigidly coupled to two parallel and identical arms 54 and 55, in which there are two pairs of axially aligned holes 56 and 57 that are meant to rotatably support the hubs of two toothed cylinders, respectively 58 and 59, in mutual meshing engagement. The cylinder 59 also meshes with the sprocket roller 25 for guiding and moving the belt 5.
Below the cylinders 58 and 59 there is a contrast spring 60 with three cantilevered laminas 61, 62 and 63. The lamina 61 is meant to abut against the teeth of the toothed cylinder 58; the pair of laminas 62 is meant to slide on the cylinder 59 to resiliently urge the assembly formed by the rollers 58 and 59 and by the keeper 53 to rotate about the axis of the cylinder 58 so as to space the keeper 53 from the electromagnet 50, and the lamina 63 abuts against the teeth of the movement sprocket roller 25.
As more clearly visible in figures 14 and 15, when the electromagnet 50 is energized by its coil 51, it attracts the keeper 53, overcoming the elastic force of the lamina 62 (figure 14). The oscillation of the two cylinders 58 and 59 about the axis of the cylinder 58 causes the advancement of the sprocket roller 25 by one step, since the cylinder 58 is prevented from rotating about its own axis by the lamina 61, so that by reaction it rotates the cylinder 59 which in turn transmits the motion to the sprocket roller 25. As soon as the electromagnet 50 is de-energized, the lamina 62 moves the keeper 53 away, making the assembly formed by the cylinders 58 and 59 oscillate in reverse, but now it is the sprocket roller 25 that cannot rotate in reverse due to the action of the lamina 63 on its teeth, whereas the cylinder 58 can rotate in the opposite direction and partially but idly rotates the cylinder 59. By repeating the energization of the electromagnet 50 sequentially, it is possible to make the belt 5 advance in steps in a safe, simple and economical manner.
The coil 51 can be controlled electrically by a keeper control board 65 which is in turn connected to a processor 40.
In order to determine the position of the belt 5, an end photodiode 66 can be arranged between the two guiding rollers 26 and 27; said photodiode can receive ambient light from a reference hole 68 formed in the belt 5 that passes between said two rollers. This external (ambient) light energizes the photodiode to reset the system. For this purpose, the photodiode can be accommodated within a box-like compartment, for example a containment box made of a suitable plastic material, which also encloses the board 65 and the electromagnet 51 and to which the spring 60 can be anchored.
The invention thus conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the protection defined by the claims.
Thus, for example, the belt 5 can also be formed by reflecting or backlit, transparent or luminescent modular surfaces 4a.
Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the scope of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

A display structure for variable-message color panels, comprising a supporting framework, characterized in that it has a plurality of modular surfaces that are arranged side by side and can be moved according to a program on a display plane, like the tesserae of a mosaic, each modular surface bearing a digitized monochrome portion to form composite images obtained by the combination of a preset number of modular surfaces, as well as means for positioning the modular surfaces, and program-controlled means for controlling the positioning means.
A display structure according to claim 1, characterized in that said modular surfaces are arranged on a plurality of flexible belts.
A display structure according to claim 2, characterized in that each flexible belt is supported and guided at one end by a pair of display rollers which is arranged at the display plane to display a modular surface and by a movement sprocket roller at its rear end.
A display structure according to claim 3, characterized in that said actuation means comprise a gearmotor unit for each belt, meant to rotate either the sprocket roller or at least one of the display rollers.
A display structure according to claim 4, characterized in that each gearmotor unit comprises a step motor and a reader for reading a reference position of the belt which is electrically connected to the control means.
A display structure according to claim 4, characterized in that each gearmotor unit comprises a direct-current motor and an encoder for detecting the position of the belt which is connected to the control means.
A display structure according to claim 3, characterized in that said actuation means comprise an electromagnet-keeper assembly for each belt, a pair of sprocket rollers for transmitting the motion between the keeper and the sprocket roller, and pawl means for the one-way rotation for a cylinder and for the sprocket roller.
A display structure according to claim 7, characterized in that said pair of cylinders is elastically loaded so as to move away from the electromagnet.
A display structure according to any one of claims 3 or 4 to 8, characterized in that said display plane is formed by subgroups, each of which is formed by a plurality of flexible belts arranged on top of each other between two lateral supporting walls, and by modules that are individually formed by the adjacent arrangement of a plurality of subgroups.
A display structure according to any one of claims 4 to 9, characterized in that the side walls of each subgroup support a control board for the motor units present in the subgroup.
A display structure according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that each module has a control board which is connected to the various control boards of the gearmotor units and to the control means.
A display structure according to claim 11, characterized in that each module comprises a supporting plate for the respective control board, provided with lateral coupling lugs.
A display structure according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that said program-based control means comprise a local processor for the or each panel said processor being connected to each control board, a control center, and a modem for connecting the or each local processor to the control center by means of a telephone line to receive the code of the images to be displayed with the sequence and the display times for each individual image.
A display structure according to claim 11, characterized in that the control center includes a scanner which is suitable to acquire images to be displayed, and a printer for printing drafts of images processed by the scanner.
A display structure according to any one of the preceding claims 13 or 14, characterized in that said supporting framework comprises a plurality of double-hinge posts for the detachable fixing of the coupling lugs of the supporting plates of each module, so as to support the individual modules in a cantilevered manner and allow their removal from the structure independently of each other.