GB2248959A - Controlled display systems - Google Patents

Abstract

A display system for use in confined low light environments, for example a railway tunnel, which would provide a means to display information to persons viewing such a system from a vehicle moving in the confined low light environment. Suitably, vehicle 1 carries a high intensity light 2, such as a stroboscopic light to illuminate each of a series of pictures 3 on the tunnel wall 4 as the vehicle travels in the tunnel. A sensor 8 controls light 2, and the start of each light pulse may be indicated by contrasting stripe (6) suitably positioned on the display. In an alternative arrangement, light 2 may be housed within the display and activated as the vehicle passes by. <IMAGE>

Description

DESCRIPTION CONTROLLED DISPLAY SYSTEM This invention relates to a means of providing a visual display or pictorial representation which may be viewed from a moving vehicle in low light confined conditions such as a railway tunnel.

Such displays are normally viewed from a stationary or slow moving position and are in themselves illuminated by ambient light or some fixed or permanent lighting system. Typical examples of such displays are advertisements on hoardings, walls or stands.

According to the present invention the display can be viewed from a moving vehicle in low light conditions and such a display could be animated.

A possible arrangement for such a display may be described as follows.

Figure 1 show a series of pictures mounted on a surface which should ideally be relatively smooth and flat.

Figure 2 shows an overhead view of the tunnel with the series of pictures mounted on the tunnel wall and the body of the passing vehicle.

With reference to Figure 1 and Figure 2 the technique for viewing this display is that a vehicle or train (1) moving along the tunnel may carry on its body, adjacent to a window (5), a high intensity lamp or strobe (2) which is used to illuminate a series of pictures (3) on the tunnel wall (4) with a flash briefly as the window (5) appears opposite the picture (3). It is sensor (8) which controls the high intensity lamp or strobe (2).

If a person were to view the display from inside the train or vehicle the image would be lit by a series of flashes from the light source (2), giving the impression of a continual picture in the same way as is used to view cinema film or television.

The means of indicating the start of each light pulse could be a contrasting stripe (6) suitably positioned on the display.

It is estimated that at thirty miles per hour the width of the display could be approximately thirty inches. It would of course be necessary to have a more sophisticated lighting and timing system if the width of the display increased.

The maximum speed would only be constrained by the response timing of the lighting system which in most cases would be considerably in excess of speeds achieved by vehicles in such situations.

A means should be provided for inhibiting the light entirely at speeds below which the display would appear to flicker excessively.

The only noticeable effect to the viewer at excess speeds would be an increase in the speed of the animation and a shortening of the duration of the entire display.

It would equally be possible to energise a light within the display when the vehicle was. passing it in order to create the same effect or to achieve a diffused back light display from a light source timed to be energised briefly as the display appears opposite the appropriate window.

Claims (2)

1. A system for providing viewable images from moving vehicles in a confined low light environment using stroboscopic lighting effect.

2. A facility for providing animated displays visible from moving vehicles travelling in a confined low light environment using stroboscopic lighting effect.