FR3094826A1 - Symbol display device - Google Patents

Abstract

Display device (1) of a fixed or animated symbol comprising at least one source (2) emitting light radiation and a transmission and diffusion body (3) arranged near the source (2), the body having a display surface (3b) with a luminous background. The display device (1) also comprises an array of pixels (5), the pixels (5a) of the array (5) being individually controllable to represent a symbol. According to the invention, the pixel matrix (5) is arranged on, or integrated with, the display surface (3b) of the body (3) to display the symbol on the luminous background. Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 1 a

Description

Symbol display device

The present invention relates to a display device, in particular for equipping an interaction device.

TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An interaction device is a computerized device provided with information acquisition means, a processing unit to process the acquired information, as well as means for transmission, information restitution or actuation.

The combination of these means allows the device to interact with its user. Such a device can be implemented in many forms. It can thus be a simple toy, a connected speaker, a social robot, or a fully distributed system such as a home automation system integrated into a building.

We generally seek to make these interactions between the device and its user as natural and instinctive as possible. We are moving towards this goal thanks to the emergence of a wide variety of sensors, the wealth of information that can be analyzed, and the increase in the capabilities of the processing unit.

To participate in an intuitive and natural interaction, it has sometimes been planned to provide the device with indicator lights to inform the user of the state of the device, of the correct understanding of an instruction or a command, or of the restitution impending message. However, this form of information restitution remains very rudimentary. Attempts have sometimes been made to improve the quality of the interaction by providing the device with a screen making it possible to display a message, a symbol, an image or a sequence of images. As such, document US 2018250815 discloses a screen on which symbols can be displayed in order to facilitate the user's engagement in his interaction with a robot.

A screen, however, forms an expensive device whose generally extended and flat shape does not always integrate perfectly with that of the interaction device.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

There is therefore a need to have a display device which is simple, while making it possible to express a wide variety of patterns, and which can take various forms to integrate as perfectly as possible into a whole variety of interaction devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

• au moins une source émettant un rayonnement lumineux et un corps de transmission et de diffusion du rayonnement lumineux disposé à proximité de la source, le corps présentant une surface d'affichage pour former un fond lumineux ;
• une matrice de pixels, les pixels de la matrice étant commandables individuellement pour représenter un symbole.

With a view to achieving this object, the object of the invention proposes a device for displaying a fixed or animated symbol comprising:

• at least one source emitting light radiation and a light radiation transmission and scattering body arranged close to the source, the body having a display surface to form a light background;
• a matrix of pixels, the pixels of the matrix being individually controllable to represent a symbol.

The pixel array is disposed on, or integrated with, the display surface of the transmission and diffusion body to display the symbol on the luminous background.

By thus combining the matrix of luminous pixels with the transmission and diffusion body, it is possible to display a chosen symbol on a background or a luminous halo whose characteristics of intensity, color, or even shape can also be chosen. A wide variety of display patterns is thus available using very simple and inexpensive means.

• la surface d'affichage est non-plane ;

• le corps de transmission et de diffusion est constitué d'une matière plastique, tel que du polycarbonate ;

• le dispositif comprend également un réflecteur disposé pour orienter le rayonnement lumineux de la source vers une face arrière du corps de transmission et de diffusion ;

• la source comprend une source de lumière blanche ;

• le dispositif d'affichage comprend une pluralité de sources émettant des rayonnements de longueurs d’onde différentes ;

• la matrice de pixels est disposée sur un support ;

• le support est un ruban flexible ;.

• le support est transparent ;

• les pixels et/ou la source sont constitués d'au moins une diode électro luminescente.

According to other advantageous and non-limiting characteristics of the invention, taken alone or according to any technically feasible combination:

• the display surface is non-planar;

• the transmission and diffusion body is made of a plastic material, such as polycarbonate;

• the device also comprises a reflector arranged to direct the light radiation from the source towards a rear face of the transmission and diffusion body;

• the source comprises a white light source;

• the display device comprises a plurality of sources emitting radiation of different wavelengths;

• the matrix of pixels is arranged on a support;

• the support is a flexible ribbon;.

• the support is transparent;

• the pixels and/or the source consist of at least one light-emitting diode.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the detailed description of the invention which will follow with reference to the appended figures in which:

FIGS. 1a, 1b and 1c represent respectively a schematic front, back and side view of a display device according to the invention;

FIG. 2 represents, in side view, an alternative configuration of a display device according to the invention.

With reference to Figures 1a to 1c, a display device 1 is described in accordance with one mode of implementation of the invention. The display device 1 comprises at least one source 2 of light radiation, here a plurality of such sources 2. Each source 2 may be formed by a light-emitting diode. The display device also comprises a body 3 for transmission and diffusion of the light radiation (sometimes designated more simply by “body” in the remainder of this description) arranged close to these sources 2.

The light radiation from the sources 2 is projected at least in part onto the body 3, onto a so-called “rear” surface 3a of this body 3. The body 3 also has a front surface, opposite to the rear surface 3a, this front surface forming a display surface 3b of the display device 1. The body 3 consists of an at least partially transparent material which will therefore transmit the radiation. The material of the body 3 also has properties of diffusion of the transmitted radiation, that is to say that this radiation is deflected in multiple directions when it emerges at the display surface 3b of the body 3.

In this way, a relatively homogeneous luminous background is formed on the display surface 3b of the body 3, even if the sources 2 are by nature point-like.

It is not necessary for the luminous background to extend over the entire extent of the display surface 3b. It is also possible to control or choose the intensity of the light radiation coming from the sources 2 so that the luminous background rather forms a halo on the display surface 3b which only partially fills this surface.

To take advantage of all the light radiation power of the sources 2, it is possible to provide a reflector 4 (shown only in the side view of FIG. 1c) having a reflecting surface facing the sources 2 and the rear surface 3a of the body 3 , so as to direct a major part of the light radiation towards the rear surface 3a with a view to its transmission towards the display surface 3b.

The transmission and diffusion body 3 can be made of an inexpensive material, for example a plastic or glass material having the required characteristics of transparency and diffusion. It may for example be a sheet of polycarbonate.

The body 3 can have the shape of a panel then defining a flat display surface 3b. The panel can take any shape, in particular rectangular, as is often the practice for a display screen. Provision may however be made to shape the transmission and diffusion body 3 according to any other chosen shape, planar or non-planar. The transmission and diffusion body 3 can thus have a curved shape. The choice of this form may be dictated by the form of the interaction device in which the display device 1 may be intended to be integrated. In general, this form can be chosen very freely, which contributes to the great versatility of the display device 1.

Typically, the body 3 has a dimension of the order of 5 to 80 cm, that is to say that the display surface 3b (whether this surface is flat or not) can be circumscribed in a rectangle with a diagonal of 5cm to 80cm.

The source (or sources) 2 can emit white light, but advantageously there will be a plurality of sources 2 emitting visible light radiation of different wavelengths. In this way, by choosing the emission intensity of each of these sources 2, it will be possible to form luminous backgrounds whose color can be varied or variable.

The display device 1 also comprises an arrangement 5 of luminous pixels 5a disposed on, or integrated into, the display surface 3b of the transmission and diffusion body 3. This arrangement 5 will be designated by the term "matrix" in the following this description without this term imposing that the light pixels 5a are arranged in a perfectly regular manner, in rows and columns. Each pixel 5a of matrix 5 is typically formed by a light-emitting diode 5a, a plurality of such diodes, or more generally, any point light source. Each pixel 5a, or more precisely each point light source forming a pixel, can be controlled individually, for example to represent a fixed or animated symbol.

The matrix of pixels 5 has a dimension smaller than that of the body 3. The matrix of pixels 5 can thus have a dimension of the order of 2 cm to 60 cm, that is to say that the matrix can be circumscribed in a diagonal rectangle from 2 cm to 60 cm. In general, the dimension of the matrix of pixels 5 will be chosen so that it covers between 10% and 90% of the display surface 3b, and preferably between 20% and 50% of this surface.

It is not necessary for the matrix 5 to have a high density of pixels 5a. A linear density of between 5 and 20 pixels per cm (i.e. a surface density of between 25 and 400 pixels per cm^2 to take into consideration the case where the pixels are not aligned in the matrix 5) may for example be sufficient to represent a wide variety of symbols and/or animate them. The resolution of the matrix 5 is thus relatively reduced, for example less than 500 pixels by 500 pixels, or 100 pixels by 100 pixels, to make the display device 1 simple and inexpensive.

By thus combining the matrix of pixels 5 with the transmission and diffusion body 3, it is possible to display a chosen symbol on a background or a luminous halo whose characteristics of intensity, color, or even shape can also be chosen. A wide variety of display patterns is thus available using very simple and inexpensive means.

Returning to the description of the matrix of pixels 5, the latter may consist of point sources of light 5a, forming the pixels, arranged on a support 5b. The support 5b can be assembled, for example by gluing, on the body 3. It can in particular be assembled on a central part of the display surface 3b of the body 3, as shown in the figures.

Other configurations are however possible, and an alternative configuration has thus been shown in FIG. 2 in which a recess has been formed in the body 3 to receive the matrix of pixels 5. The dimensions of the recess correspond to those of the matrix 5 and the recess may or may not be through. The 5 pixel matrix is inserted into the recess to integrate the two elements with each other. If the recess is deep enough, the pixel array 5 can be made flush with the display surface 3b.

In an alternative not shown, provision could be made for arranging the matrix of pixels 5 on the rear face 3a of the transmission and diffusion body 3, by orienting the pixels towards the display surface 3b so as to make them visible, by transparency. . In this alternative, provision can be made for the body 3 to have a zone, facing the matrix of pixels 5, the qualities of transparency and/or diffusion of which are altered to make the pixels 5a more visible on the side of the display surface 3b.

Whatever the arrangement of the matrix of pixels 5 vis-à-vis the body of transmission and diffusion 3, the support 5b of the matrix of pixels 5 can be transparent, in particular when it is employed in the configurations represented on the figures 1c and 2. This avoids partly masking the luminous background by the support 5b of the matrix 5. But alternatively, one can choose to form the support 5b in a non-transparent material, and in this case the luminous background is formed around matrix 5.

The support 5b can take the form of a flexible ribbon, which makes it possible to place the matrix 5 on one of the surfaces 3a, 3b of the body 3, even when the latter does not have a flat shape. Furthermore, and as already mentioned, the matrix of pixels 5 does not necessarily have a square or rectangular shape, and the pixels 5a can be arranged in any suitable arrangement.

To operate the display device 1, that is to say to illuminate the pixels 5a of the matrix 5 making it possible to represent a chosen symbol and/or to choose the intensity of the radiation sources 2, the device is equipped with an electronic control unit 6. It may be an integrated electronic circuit or not, based for example on a microcontroller. The electronic control unit 6 is connected to the radiation sources 2 and to the pixel matrix 5 to control them and/or supply them electrically. The electronic control unit 6 is also connected or comprises an electrical connector 6a for connecting the display device 1, possibly via a connection cable, to an external system, such as an interaction device to which the display device 1 can be integrated.

Advantageously, the electronic control unit 6 is arranged opposite the body 3 so as to reduce its masking effect on the display surface 3b. It can thus be placed on the back of support 5b of matrix 5, or even integrated into this matrix 5.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the mode of implementation described and variant embodiments can be added thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

It is possible in particular to provide a protective cover for the rear face of the display screen. The cover may have an external shape facilitating its integration into an interaction device. It can carry the connector 6a making it possible to connect this device to the electronic control unit 6. The cover can also retain or constitute the reflector 4. It can retain or constitute an assembly frame of the body 3, of the matrix of pixels 5, the light source 2, the electronic unit 6 and/or any other element of the display device 1.

Claims (10)

Display device (1) of a fixed or animated symbol comprising:
– at least one source (2) emitting light radiation and a transmission and diffusion body (3) of the light radiation arranged close to the source (2), the body (3) having a display surface (3b) to form a luminous background;
– a matrix of pixels (5), the pixels (5a) of the matrix (5) being individually controllable to represent a symbol;
the matrix of pixels (5) being arranged on, or integrated into, the display surface (3b) of the transmission and diffusion body (3) to display the symbol on the luminous background. Display device (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the display surface (3b) is non-planar. Display device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the transmission and diffusion body (3) consists of a plastic material, such as polycarbonate. Display device (1) according to one of the preceding claims also comprising a reflector (4) arranged to direct the light radiation from the source (2) towards a rear face (3a) of the transmission and diffusion body (3) . Display device (3) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the source (2) comprises a source of white light. Display device (1) according to one of the preceding claims comprising a plurality of sources (2) emitting radiation of different wavelengths. Display device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the matrix of pixels (5) is arranged on a support (5b). Display device (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the support (5b) is a flexible tape. Display device (1) according to one of the two preceding claims, in which the support (5b) is transparent. Display device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the pixels (5a) and/or the source (2) consist of at least one light-emitting diode.