GB2180383A - Illuminated display panel - Google Patents

Abstract

An illuminated display panel consisting of light emitting diodes 3, arranged on a circuit board 2 in the form of patterns, letters, symbols or a combination of each of these. The light emitting diodes 3 are connected together in an electrical circuit which in turn is connected to an electrical bus system 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 by which each panel is interconnected. Each panel may contain a number of smaller dedicated panels which are interconnected on an electrical bus system 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, to form a complete display panel in themselves. The sequence of switching of the electrical bus system may be controlled to produce a static or animated display. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Illuminated display panels This invention relates to illuminated display panels.

illuminated signs or panels are common place, ranging from simple back lit conventional signs to complex message panels under computer control. This invention uses light emitting diodes as light sources in display panels. Each panel is dedicated to a particular design, letter or symbol, and by means of a relatively simple control system a static or animated display is formed. Dedicated panels enable the production of larger lighter and relatively inexpensive displays, as opposed to conventional message panels, where each panel must form a range of letters or symbols which of necessity involves large numbers of light sources and a complex control system.

The invention consists of lightweight illuminated display panels using light emitting diodes as light sources. The light emitting diodes in each panel are arranged in the form of patterns, letters, symbols or a combination of each of these. The light emitting diodes are connected together in an electrical circuit which is in turn connected to an electrical bus system, by which each panel is interconnected. Each panel may contain a number of smaller dedicated panels which are interconnected on an electrical bus system to form a complete display panel in themseives. The sequence of switching of the electrical bus system may be controlled to produce a static or animated display.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which-: Figure 1 shows a section through a panel.

Figure 2 illustrates a front elevation of a panel.

Figure 3 indicates the circuit layout of a panel.

Figure 4 shows a section through a panel consisting of smaller panels interconnected to form a single display.

Figure 5 illustrates a front elevation of the method of interconnection of the smaller panels on a bus system within a single display panel.

Figure 6 indicates the circuit layout of a smaller panel.

Figure 7 shows the expansion of the bus system to include the X and Y directions to enable a matrix system to be formed.

Figs. 1 and 2 show a panel comprising of an insulating board 2 on which is applied a copper electrical circuit. Light emitting diodes 3 being mounted on this circuit, together with a small printed circuit board 5. This printed circuit board 5 consists of input 9 and output 12 connectors which carry the electrical bus sytem 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 Fig. 3 which enables the panels to be interconnected. Additional components mounted on this board are a fuse holder 8 rectify bridges 7 and current limiting resistors 6. The circuit board is enclosed by a plastic cover 10. The rear of the panel being covered by an insulating board 1.

The panel is fronted by a transparent sheet 4.

The complete panel surround is enclosed within an aluminium extrusion 11.

Referring to Fig. 3, the light emitting diodes 3 are connected in series together with a current limiting resistor 6, the value of which depends on the number of light emitting diodes in series. This circuit is connected to a bridge rectifier which in turn is connected to an electrical bus system 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17. A fuse 8 protects the circuits connected to the bus system. An alternating voltage signal applied to a line in the bus system will be rectified by the relevant bridge rectifier and a direct current signal will be applied to the light emitting diode chain. By applying signals to the lines of the bus system in various sequences an animated display is obtained.

Figs. 4 and 5 show how smaller panels may be interconnected within one larger panel in this case the bus connectors 18 are printed circuit mounted types and all components are mounted on the same board 2. Fig. 6 shows how the smaller panels are connected to the bus system. Each letter, symbol or design is dedicated to e particular channel in the bus system via a link 21. Fig. 7 shows the expansion of the bus system in both the X 19 and Y 20 directions. This enables a matrixed system to be formed.

1. The invention consists of lightweight illuminated display panels using light emitting diodes as light sources. The light emitting diodes in each panel are arranged in the form of patterns, letters, symbols or a combination of each of these. The light emitting diodes are connected together in an electrical circuit which is in turn connected to an electrical bus system, by which each panel is interconnected. Each panel may contain a number of smaller dedicated panels which are interconnected on an electrical bus system to form a complete display panel in themselves. The sequence of switching of the electrical bus sytem may be controlled to produce a static or animated display.

2. An illuminated display panel as in Claim 1 wherein similar panels are interconnected via an external electrical bus system to form larger displays.

3. An illuminated panel as in Claim 1 wherein smaller dedicated panels are interconnected on an internal electrical bus to form one complete panel within the same casing.

4. An illuminated panel substantially as described herein with reference to Figs. 1-7 of

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (4)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Illuminated display panels This invention relates to illuminated display panels. illuminated signs or panels are common place, ranging from simple back lit conventional signs to complex message panels under computer control. This invention uses light emitting diodes as light sources in display panels. Each panel is dedicated to a particular design, letter or symbol, and by means of a relatively simple control system a static or animated display is formed. Dedicated panels enable the production of larger lighter and relatively inexpensive displays, as opposed to conventional message panels, where each panel must form a range of letters or symbols which of necessity involves large numbers of light sources and a complex control system. The invention consists of lightweight illuminated display panels using light emitting diodes as light sources. The light emitting diodes in each panel are arranged in the form of patterns, letters, symbols or a combination of each of these. The light emitting diodes are connected together in an electrical circuit which is in turn connected to an electrical bus system, by which each panel is interconnected. Each panel may contain a number of smaller dedicated panels which are interconnected on an electrical bus system to form a complete display panel in themseives. The sequence of switching of the electrical bus system may be controlled to produce a static or animated display. A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which-: Figure 1 shows a section through a panel. Figure 2 illustrates a front elevation of a panel. Figure 3 indicates the circuit layout of a panel. Figure 4 shows a section through a panel consisting of smaller panels interconnected to form a single display. Figure 5 illustrates a front elevation of the method of interconnection of the smaller panels on a bus system within a single display panel. Figure 6 indicates the circuit layout of a smaller panel. Figure 7 shows the expansion of the bus system to include the X and Y directions to enable a matrix system to be formed. Figs. 1 and 2 show a panel comprising of an insulating board 2 on which is applied a copper electrical circuit. Light emitting diodes 3 being mounted on this circuit, together with a small printed circuit board 5. This printed circuit board 5 consists of input 9 and output 12 connectors which carry the electrical bus sytem 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 Fig. 3 which enables the panels to be interconnected. Additional components mounted on this board are a fuse holder 8 rectify bridges 7 and current limiting resistors 6. The circuit board is enclosed by a plastic cover 10. The rear of the panel being covered by an insulating board 1. The panel is fronted by a transparent sheet 4. The complete panel surround is enclosed within an aluminium extrusion 11. Referring to Fig. 3, the light emitting diodes 3 are connected in series together with a current limiting resistor 6, the value of which depends on the number of light emitting diodes in series. This circuit is connected to a bridge rectifier which in turn is connected to an electrical bus system 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17. A fuse 8 protects the circuits connected to the bus system. An alternating voltage signal applied to a line in the bus system will be rectified by the relevant bridge rectifier and a direct current signal will be applied to the light emitting diode chain. By applying signals to the lines of the bus system in various sequences an animated display is obtained. Figs. 4 and 5 show how smaller panels may be interconnected within one larger panel in this case the bus connectors 18 are printed circuit mounted types and all components are mounted on the same board 2. Fig. 6 shows how the smaller panels are connected to the bus system. Each letter, symbol or design is dedicated to e particular channel in the bus system via a link 21. Fig. 7 shows the expansion of the bus system in both the X 19 and Y 20 directions. This enables a matrixed system to be formed. CLAIMS

1. The invention consists of lightweight illuminated display panels using light emitting diodes as light sources. The light emitting diodes in each panel are arranged in the form of patterns, letters, symbols or a combination of each of these. The light emitting diodes are connected together in an electrical circuit which is in turn connected to an electrical bus system, by which each panel is interconnected. Each panel may contain a number of smaller dedicated panels which are interconnected on an electrical bus system to form a complete display panel in themselves. The sequence of switching of the electrical bus sytem may be controlled to produce a static or animated display.

2. An illuminated display panel as in Claim 1 wherein similar panels are interconnected via an external electrical bus system to form larger displays.

3. An illuminated panel as in Claim 1 wherein smaller dedicated panels are interconnected on an internal electrical bus to form one complete panel within the same casing.

4. An illuminated panel substantially as described herein with reference to Figs. 1-7 of the accompanying drawings.