FR2655458A1 - BASIC DISPLAY MODULE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF A DISPLAY PANEL AND PANEL CONSISTING OF AT LEAST ONE SUCH MODULE. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a display panel. The elementary display module is comprised of: a protection casing (2) having a bottom with four side walls (4); a series of intercalary plates (5) supporting each of the visualisation elements (7); un grid (11) for masking the intervals separating the display faces from the visualisation elements located in the display plane; a transparent façade panel (13) covering the masking grid (11) and adapted to the sides of the casing; a monitoring card comprising means (16) for controlling and selecting drive members; and a connector (19) connected to the control and selection means, as well as a central control and selection unit.

Description

 The present invention relates to the technical field of character display panels, in particular, signaling, presentation or advertising, consisting of mobile unitary display elements which can be adjusted remotely, making it possible to ensure, in combination, the presentation of messages various, modifiable at will and composed, exclusively or not, of texts or patterns.

 The invention relates, more particularly, to display panels, the unit display elements of which each consist of a cube having four display faces of different colors and controlled in rotation by means of a drive member, so placing one of the faces of each of the cubes in a display plane to compose, in combination, a determined representation in the general sense. Usually, such a display panel is equipped with a transparent front panel, intended to protect all of the cubes.

 Such display panels give, in practice, complete satisfaction with the presentation of texts and graphics and allow good visibility of the message, both in strong and weak light.

 A major drawback of this type of display panels lies in the difficulty, or even the technical impossibility, of constituting large panels exceeding, for example, a presentation surface of 10 m2. Indeed, there appear to be practically insurmountable constraints for the production, mounting or maintenance of the transparent front panel.

 Another drawback of this type of panel appears during its maintenance. Indeed, the replacement of a defective motor member or a repair intervention on such a member, requires removing the transparent front panel. Such an operation requires, beforehand, the dismantling of the support frame for the facade panel and constitutes a delicate intervention, because of the weight and the fragility presented by such a facade panel, in consideration of its size which can reach several square meters.

 An additional drawback, inherent in this type of display panels, appears at the level of its energy consumption which is large enough for the supply of all of the motor components, which results in a corresponding heat dissipation liable to affect the reliability of such a panel.

 The present invention therefore aims to solve the drawbacks mentioned above by proposing a display panel composed of one or more elementary modules authorizing the constitution of display panels having no presentation surface limit.

 The present invention also aims to provide a display panel designed to allow a quick and easy repair intervention by allowing easy disassembly and reassembly of the elementary module containing a defective member.

 The invention also aims to provide a modular display panel making it possible to attenuate, or even eliminate, the effect of visual perception due to the separation intervals of the cubes and the modules, so as to confer a detailed and precise graphic representation. .

 The present invention also aims to provide a method for easily assigning an address to each of the modules constituting the panel.

To achieve the above goals, the invention aims to propose an elementary display module of the type comprising a series of mobile display elements arranged in columns and in rows and each driven in rotation, by means of a motor member adapted to position one of the faces of the display elements in a display plane of a representation,
characterized in that it comprises
- a protective box with a bottom
from which rise four lateral sides,
- a series of intermediate plates mounted between
two opposite side sides to support
each of the display elements arranged
according to a column or a row,
- a grid to hide the intervals separating
the display faces of the elements of
visualization placed in the display plan
and mounted to ensure free rotation of
display elements,
- a transparent front panel covering the
masking grid and adapted on the sides of the
housing,
- a control card comprising means for
control and selection of drive components,
- and a suitable connector on the bottom of the housing and
connected to the control and selection means,
as well as a central control and
selection.

The invention also provides a display panel characterized in that it comprises
- a series of display modules placed side by side
rib according to columns and rows,
- a supporting structure providing support and
positioning of display modules,
- and a central unit adapted to select
display modules and ordering
motor components of each selected module
to position the display faces
determined visualization elements in
the display plan of a representation.

 Various other characteristics will emerge from the description given below with reference to the appended drawings which show, by way of nonlimiting examples, embodiments of the subject of the invention.

 Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a display panel constituted by a series of modules according to the invention.

 Fig. 2 is a cutaway front view of a display module according to the invention.

 Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line III-III of FIG. 2.

 Fig 4 is an electrical diagram showing the control and selection of the display elements of a display module according to the invention.

 Fig. 5 is a timing diagram showing the control of the display elements forming a display module according to the invention.

 Fig. 6 is a sectional view, taken substantially along the line VI-VI of FIG. 2 and showing a characteristic detail of the invention.

 Fig. 1 illustrates, by way of example, a series of display modules M in accordance with the invention, intended to constitute, individually or in combination, a panel 1 for displaying a representation in the general sense. In the example illustrated, the display panel 1 is intended to be made up of twelve elementary modules placed side by side, according to columns C four in number and in rows R three in number.

 As shown more precisely in Figs. 2 and 3, each display module M is constituted by a protective casing 2 comprising a bottom 3 from which rise four lateral sides 4 forming a surround of the bottom. The housing 2 is intended to contain a series of intermediate plates 5 supported by slides 6 carried by two opposite sides of the housing, for example by the vertical lateral sides 41t 42 Each intermediate plate 5 is intended to carry mobile elements 7 for viewing, each constituted by a cube 8 orientable by means of a drive member 9 housed inside the cube.

As shown more precisely in FIG. 2, the cubes 8 are arranged in rows R and columns C, respectively 10 and 8 in the example illustrated. The cubes 8, in a row, are separated from each other by a determined interval 1 ensuring, at least, the free rotation of the cubes along a vertical axis a. The cubes 8 of a column are also separated by the interval I allowing a symmetrical visual effect to be obtained.

Each cube 8 has four display faces F of different colors, one of the faces of which is positioned in a display plane P which is substantially set back from the edges of the sides 4 (FIG. 3). A display element 7, particularly suitable for the invention, has been described in the patent
US 4,558,267. According to this patent, each cube comprises, internally, a motor member having four stator windings mounted in relation to a rotor equipped with a magnet and locked in rotation on the cube. The selective electrical supply of a determined winding makes it possible to position a corresponding face of the cube in a preferential plane.

 Each module M also includes a grid 11 intended to mask the intervals I separating the faces F of the cube which extend along the display plane P. The grid 11 is designed so as to ensure the free rotation of the cubes 8, while allowing the inter-cube intervals to be masked as best as possible to attenuate the visual effect due to such discontinuities of colors.

 The grid 11 is thus mounted in the display plane P or in front of this plane, relative to the bottom of the housing. To this end, the grid 11 is provided, vertically, with several series of spacers 12 intended to be interposed between the front edges 51 of the plates 5, so as to ensure positioning of the plates and stable mounting of the grid.

 Advantageously, the grid has a gray color, in order to create a visual effect of merging the colors presented by the faces of the cubes, namely red, green, blue and white.

Each module M is also equipped with a transparent front panel 13 covering the masking grid and mounted on
sides 4 of the housing. The front panel 13, which is designed to protect the cubes 8, is preferably hermetically sealed on the sides 4.

 Each module M also includes a control card 14 mounted parallel and at a distance from the bottom 3 of the housing and on which the intermediate plates 5, which constitute printed circuits, are electrically connected, using, for example, connectors not represented. The control card 14 is equipped with a microcontroller 15 making it possible, in particular, to control means 16 adapted to ensure the selection and the control of the motor members 9. As can be seen more precisely from FIG. 4, the selection and control means 16 are constituted by row switches 161 each connected to the windings E of the drive members arranged in a row R. The means 16 comprise column switches 162 each connected directly to a winding E of each motor member 9, arranged in a column. In the example illustrated, each row switch 161 is connected to the 32 windings of the motor members 9 in a row, while each column switch 162 is connected to 10 windings placed in parallel, belonging to the drive members 9 placed in a column. It should be noted that the windings, connected in parallel and connected to an identical column switch, make it possible to position the same faces of the corresponding cubes in a given plane. Furthermore, each winding E is provided with a diode 18 placed in series between a winding and the corresponding switch 162. Preferably, the switches 161 and 162 are formed by transistors.

The switches 161, 162 are connected, by a double supply line comprising an electrical power supply line AP and a data transmission line
TD to a connector 19 adapted on the bottom 3 of the housing. The connector 19 is intended to receive a complementary connector 21 connected to a central unit 22, localized or not near the display panel.

 The selective control of the cubes 8 is ensured, on the one hand, by the sequential or successive supply of each switch 161 and, on the other hand, by the supply of the switches 162 associated with the windings to be controlled.

Thus, the drive members of each row are fed successively, so that at a given instant a single row of drive members is fed (fig. 5). The individual control of the windings E is carried out by means of the column switches 162. The diodes 18 prevent the flow of current in the windings E which are not selected.

 The arrangement of the selection and control means 16, described above, makes it possible to implement a reduced number of switches. In addition, the sequential control of the rows allows, for the same supply voltage, to reduce the power consumed by a factor corresponding to the number of rows. This reduction in the power consumed makes it possible to obtain a reduced heat dissipation, which increases the reliability of the module.

Preferably, each display module includes a device 23 for measuring the current flowing in the windings.
E, so as to check the operation of the cubes 8. The measuring device 23 comprises a switch 24, mounted in series on a supply line coming from the connector 19 and connected to the row switches 16. The switch 24 comprises, in parallel, a resistor 25 connected in series with a light-emitting diode 26 of a photo-coupler 27, the transistor 28 of which is capable of delivering an output signal corresponding to the current flow in a given winding.

 When the central unit 22 controls switches 161, 162, switch 24 is closed. If a function test of the cubes 8 is to be carried out, the switch 24 is open, so that the diode 26 is placed in series on the supply line. Then, the switch 161 of the first row is controlled, as well as the first column switch, in order to allow current to flow in the corresponding winding. The output signal delivered by the transistor 28 is stored in a memory, then the column switches are controlled successively and the operation is repeated for each of the rows.

 Such a device therefore makes it possible to determine whether a current normally flows in the windings of the various motor members of the module. This control operation is triggered periodically by the central unit. If a fault appears, a second check is carried out and an alarm is issued if the fault remains.

 The display module described above has a high level of reliability and ensures permanent control of the proper functioning of all the motor components associated with the display cubes. Of course, the module according to the invention can have various sizes, in relation to the number of cubes used to ensure the representation of a given message.

 Advantageously, a series of display modules according to the invention can be associated together to constitute a display panel of selected dimensions. To this end, the modules M are intended to be placed side by side, minimizing the mounting clearances J occurring between the neighboring sides of the modules, so as to avoid the appearance of a discontinuity in the figurative representation. In addition, in order to create, by all the modules constituting a panel, an overall image which does not present geometric distortions at the border between the different modules, the rows R and the columns C of each module are separated, from the center of the module to the sides 4, by an interval I with progressive step, preferably identical for the columns and the rows. Advantageously, each row or column of a module is separated, respectively, from a row or of a neighboring column of another module, by a determined interval whose measurement corresponds to the step of progression of the modules. The step of progression of the modules is chosen so that the inter-module interval has a measure sufficient to correspond to the thickness of two sides, to which is added the mounting clearance J occurring between two modules. The progressive arrangement of the cubes remains visually imperceptible, while offering the possibility of providing a sufficient interval for the production of sides of suitable thickness between which a clearance of assembly remains. Of course, the grid 11 also has a corresponding progressive pitch, to ensure correct masking of the intervals occurring between the cubes.

 To ensure side-by-side positioning of several display modules, the bottom 3 of each module is provided with at least one and, preferably, three mounting members 28, preferably removable, on a support structure 29. As this appears more precisely in fig. 6, each mounting member 28 is formed by a conical cavity 29 formed in the bottom 3 of the housing, in proximity relation to a corner of the housing. Each cavity 29 is intended to cooperate with a complementary cone 31 ensuring a function of relative positioning of the modules.

 Furthermore, each cavity 29 is surrounded by a self-latching ring 32, fixed to the bottom 3 and designed to cooperate with a self-latching ring 33 surrounding the large base of the positioning cone 31. The surfaces of the crowns 32 and self-latching rings 33 are determined so as to obtain a sufficient holding force to support the weight of the module, while limiting the tearing force occurring at the time of extraction being effected by a stress exerted on the front panel 13, in a normal direction, by means, for example, of a tool of the suction cup type. Preferably, to facilitate the assembly and disassembly operations of a module, the bottom 3 of each module has smaller dimensions than the front panel 13, so as to form edges 4 in clearance.

 Advantageously, a complementary connector 21 and three positioning cones 31, associated with the fixing rings 33, are mounted on a plate 35 which is fitted to the support structure 29. As shown more precisely in FIG. 1, the supporting structure 29 is constituted by cross members 291 supported by spaced uprights 292. Each cross member 291 is formed in the form of a profile having fallen edges 29a intended to cooperate with grooves 351 carried by the plate 35 for positioning and fixing. The plates 35 are placed on the cross members, so that each module, on the one hand, is positioned and fixed by means of the three cavities 29 cooperating with three cones 31 belonging to different plates and, on the other hand, is electrically connected using the connector 19, to a complementary connector 21 placed on another plate.

 The display modules, each equipped with mounting members 28 and electrical connection 19, are therefore particularly suitable for forming display panels whose surface for presenting a message is not limited. The display modules of a panel are connected in parallel on a double supply line through which the central unit 22 conveys the information for selecting the modules and controlling the cubes. The central unit 22 provides, for each module and by means of the corresponding microcontroller 15, the control of the switches 16 controlling the motor members 9. To this end, each module is provided with its own address, making it possible to transmit selective information to each module. In operating mode, all modules continuously scan the double supply line, waiting for an address. When an address appears, each module compares this address with its own address. If the addresses are identical, the basic module concerned takes into account the following information for controlling and selecting the drive components. The modules, for which the comparison of addresses results in a non-identity, ignore the order and selection information. Such functions are assumed by the microcontroller 15 adapted on the control cards 14 of each module.

 The following description describes a method for assigning an address to each module constituting a display panel. The address of each module is assigned during the installation of the modules on the supporting structure, which is carried out successively. Furthermore, each module includes means programmed in the microcontroller 15, making it possible to configure the module during its manufacture in an installation mode. For this installation mode, any address received by the microcontroller 15 is echoed and when a determined number of consecutive addresses has been received, this address is stored in a non-volatile memory installed on the control card 14. The module switches thus from the installation mode to the operating mode during which the control and the selection of the driving members are carried out.

 The assignment of an address to each module is carried out more precisely as follows. A first module is positioned on the supporting structure, so as to connect the control card 14 of this module to the central unit 22, by connecting the connectors 19 and 21. The central unit transmits a determined address, repeated successively and intended to be echoed each time by the configuration means of the module concerned. These configuration means compare the address received with the previous address and the central unit compares, for each address, the address sent and the address received echoed. If for a successive number of values the address received by the module corresponds to the address previously received, this address is stored in non-volatile memory, so that the module switches from installation mode to operating mode. In this operating mode, the module, with an address, no longer takes into account the addresses sent during the installation phase by the central unit.

 After the assignment of an address to a module, the central unit 22 transmits a following address, intended to be assigned to the module which will be subsequently installed. The modules are therefore installed in turn on the supporting structure, so as to assign them a specific address during their assembly, which corresponds to their installation rank.

Claims (17)

 1 - Elementary display module, of the type comprising a series of mobile display elements (7) arranged in columns (c) and in rows (r) and each driven in rotation, by means of a drive member ( 9) suitable for positioning one of the faces (F) of the display elements in a display plane (P) of at least one representation,  characterized in that it comprises  - a protective case (2) having a bottom  (3) from which rise four sides  lateral (4),  - a series of mounted intermediate plates (5)  between two opposite lateral sides to support  each, display elements (7)  arranged in a column or a row,  - a grid (11) for masking the intervals  separating the display faces of the elements of  visualization placed in the display plan  (P) and mounted to ensure free rotation  display elements,  - a transparent front panel (13) covering  the masking grid (11) and adapted on the  sides of the housing,  - a control card (14) comprising means  (16) control and selection of organs  motors,  - And a connector (19) adapted on the bottom (3) of the  housing and connected to the control and  selection, as well as to a central unit (22) of  command and selection.  2 - elementary module according to claim 1, characterized in that the intermediate plates (5) are adapted to support the display elements (7), so that the rows and columns of display elements thus formed are separated, to from the center of the module to the sides, by an interval (I) with progressive step.  3 - elementary module according to claim 1, characterized in that the bottom (3) of the housing comprises at least one member (29) for removable mounting on a support structure.  4 - Elementary module according to claim 1, characterized in that the control card (14) is equipped with a non-volatile memory, capable of keeping the module's own address  5 - Elementary module according to Claims 1 and 4, characterized in that the control card (14) comprises means making it possible to configure the module in an installation mode, during which any address received is echoed back, so as to initialize the module's own address in the non-volatile memory, prior to an operating mode during which the control and selection of the drive members are carried out by the corresponding means (16).  6 - elementary module according to claim 1, characterized in that the means (16) for selecting and controlling the drive members are constituted by row switches (161) each connected to the windings (E) of the drive members arranged in a row and by column switches (162) each connected directly to a winding (E) of each motor member arranged in a column, each winding of the motor members being associated in series with a diode (18) preventing the flow of current in the windings unselected rows.  7 - elementary module according to claim 6, characterized in that the row switches (16î) are successively controlled, while the column switches (162) are selectively controlled, in relation to the motor member to be controlled, to position a determined face of the associated display element in the display plane (P).  8 - Elementary module according to claim 1, 6 or 7, characterized in that it comprises a device (23) for current measurement mounted in series, between the means (16) of control and selection and the central unit ( 22), and intended to detect a current flow in each of the windings (E), during a phase of control of the normal operation of the drive members, during which the windings of the drive members are selected successively.  9 - Display panel, characterized in that it comprises:  - a series of display modules (M) conforming to  one of claims 1 to 8, placed side by side  rib according to columns (C) and rows (R),  - a supporting structure (29) ensuring the  electrical connection, support and  positioning of display modules,  - And a central unit (22) adapted for  select display modules and ensure  the control of the driving members (9) of each  module selected, to position the faces  display elements of  visualization in the display plan of a  representation.  10 - Display panel according to claim 9, characterized in that the supporting structure (22) is formed by a series of crosspieces (291) and uprights (292) assembled and supporting, on the one hand, organs (31 ) mounting complementary to those (29) presented by the modules and, on the other hand, connectors (21) complementary to those (19) carried by the display modules.  11 - Display panel according to claim 10, characterized in that each complementary mounting member (31) provides relative positioning functions of the modules and removable fixing of the modules on the support structure.  12 - Display panel according to claim 11, characterized in that each complementary mounting member (31) consists of a positioning cone, surrounded at its largest base, by a self-latching ring (33) intended to cooperate with a self-locking crown (32) fixed to the bottom (3) of each module by surrounding the mounting member (29) formed by a cavity complementary to the cone, formed on the bottom of the module.  13 - Display panel according to claim 10, characterized in that the supporting structure (29) comprises plates (35) adaptable on the sleepers or the uprights and intended to each support a complementary connector (21) and three mounting members complementary (31), so as to each ensure the partial relative positioning of three neighboring modules and the electrical connection of a fourth module.  14 - Display panel according to claim 9, characterized in that each module has sides (4) undercut, so that the bottom (3) has smaller dimensions than the front panel, to ensure disassembly of the module by a stress exerted on the front panel in a normal direction.  15 - Display panel according to claim 9, characterized in that each row or column of display elements of a module is separated, respectively, from a row or from a column adjacent to another module, by an interval whose measurement corresponds to the step of progression of the modules.  16 - Display panel according to claim 9, characterized in that the central unit (22) comprises means for assigning an address to each module in an installation mode, by issuing successive addresses whose passage from one address to another takes place when a determined number of addresses received corresponds to those sent.  17 - Method for assigning an address to each elementary module according to one of claims 1 to 8, to constitute a display panel of a representation,  characterized in that it comprises the following steps for assigning an address to each module  - position a module on the supporting structure  so as to connect the control board (14)  from this module to the central control unit (22)  and selection, through the  connector (19) cooperating with the connector  complementary (21), - emission, by the central unit (22), of a  specified address repeated and intended to be  echoed each time by the means of  configuration of the module addressed, - comparison, by the configuration means of the  module addressed, from the address received with the address  previous, - comparison, by the central unit (22), with each  times, the address sent and the address received  in echo, if, for a successive number of values,  the address received by the addressed module corresponds  at the address previously received, storage  in the non-volatile memory of the address sent,  so that the module switches from mode  installation in operating mode, - and transmission, by the central unit, of an address  next to assign it to the next  module to be mounted.