GB2409092A - Display - Google Patents

Abstract

A plurality of lights 3 are provided at the nodes of a net or mesh 1. Individual lights 3 are selectively illuminated to create images or text which may be static or moving, thereby enabling a net (or mesh) to display information. The display net may be used as a tennis court net to display sponsor adverts or other information to spectators (see fig 4) or it may be hung over a road to display information to motorists (see fig 5).

Description

1 2409092

DISPLAY

Nets or mesh are used in a variety of applications.

This invention enables a net (or mesh) to display information. The information may be static or varying in time. This invention therefore enhances the functionality of a net or mesh.

This additional functionality makes it possible to use such display nets in new applications.

Accordingly, this invention provides net or mesh with integrated lights. A plurality of lights (of any appropriate type / size) are integrated in to the netting (or mesh), either at nodes (junctions) of the net or along the length of selected elongate sections (chords).

A control unit strategically operates the Lights to form a plurality of patterns, images, or text. Coherent patterns may be generated on one or both sides of the net. When lights are used on both sides of the net, they Will be separately controlled so that at a given spatial point the lights facing opposite sides illuminate at different times.

Animation of all ofthese is possible, and intended. The net would function as normal in other aspects of use, and when no Lights are illuminated would appear similar to standard nets (or mesh).

The display netting is intended to be used in: Sports nets, including tennis nets, badminton nets, table tennis nets, soccer goal nets building enclosures (at ground level or around scaffolding), boundary fences advertising or information along transport corridors (roads/rail) flags, strop displays, street decorations traffic signage either permanent or temporary (added benefit of reduced wind loading (requiring reduced support structure), less visual impact on landscape, see through capability to observe traffic, owing to the open net structure).

Deployable nets that allow nets to open up providing advertising. The deployable net can be of any shape, size and deployed in any manner.

Specific features include any one or any combination of the following: Advertising, including the possibility of a plurality of moving logos, images and scrolling text.

Match feedback, including game scores, game clock, decisions and events (e.g. "Foul" or"Point").

Statistics, such as ball speed, and player information.

Crowd instructions to aid PA announcements (e.g. "Quiet" or "Half Time") .

Crowd entertainment, such as animations, cartoons, and 'karaoke' song lyrics.

Traffic management (e.g. variable speed limits on roads/motorways, hazard/weather/traffic information, route information).

Lights will exist at the nodes (junctions) of the netting, and along any part of the elongate section (chord length), and/or the elongate section (chord) will be made to illuminate itself. The through holes of the mesh7 size of elongate section and mesh pattern can be chosen to suit the application. The actual shape of light, strength of light, angle of view and colours can be selected to suit the application. Where both sides of the net are to light up independently, the lights at nodes are installed back to back (either manufactured as separate units or combined) and operated independently.

The elongate section (chord) will be composed of the power and signal cables (wire or fibre optic) so forming part of the netting itself. Master cable(s) would run along edge(s) of the net and on to the control and power unit(s).

The control unit could be run manually by a technician or TV broadcaster or an automatic programme could be initiated with the facility to interrupt it when necessary.

FIGURE I shows an elevation (one side) of a small segment of netting (1)7 with nodes without lights (2)7 nodes with an integrated light (3) and elongate sections (5).

The nodes which have an integrated light but which are not illuminated are depicted here as solid circular discs (3) whilst other nodes which are illuminated are depicted here with a cross (4) creating an image of two chevrons for example. The actual shape of light7 strength of light7 angle of view and colours can be selected. The full scale network would likely have many more nodes horizontally and vertically either illuminated or not illuminated strategically (independently or as a group) to create images and or text, which will be either static or varying in time, or static or moving in space, which can arise on one or both sides of the net independently.

I IGURE 2 shows an elevation (one side) of a small segment of netting (1), with nodes without lights (2), nodes with an integrated light (3) and elongate sections (5).

The nodes which have an integrated light but which are not illuminated are depicted here as solid circular discs (3) whilst other nodes which are illuminated are depicted here with a cross (4) and some elongate sections which are not illuminated depicted as solid line (5), whilst other elongate sections which are illuminated depicted as triple lines (6) . The selective illumination of elongate sections (6) enhances the image of a chevron for example. The full scale network would likely have many more nodes and elongate sections horizontally and vertically either illuminated or not illuminated strategically (independently or as a group) to create images and or text7 which will be either static or varying in times or static or moving in space7 which can arise on one or both sides of the net independently.

FIGURE 3 shows an elevation (one side) of a small segment of netting (1), with nodes without lights (2), nodes with an integrated light (3) and elongate sections (5).

The nodes which have an integrated light but which are not illuminated are depicted here as solid circular discs (3) whilst other nodes which are illuminated are depicted here with a cross (4) creating an image of characters "1" and "N" forming the word "IN" for an example. The full scale network would likely have many more nodes horizontally and vertically, either illuminated or not illuminated strategically (independently or as a group) to create images and or text, which will be either static or varying in time, or static or moving in space, which can arise on one or both sides of the net independently.

FIGURE 4 shows a tennis court (11), where a tennis court display net support (12) holds a tennis court display net (13) in place. This display net would serve as the tennis net in the match. The tennis court display net (13) is composed of lights at nodes or and elongate sections (the concept as shown in Figures 1, 2 & 3) that can be illuminated as a variable in spatial position and in time to create images or text (14), in this example "sponsor adverts". A power unit and control unit (15), that may be separate, powers the lights and controls the sequence in which specific lights are initiated to come on and off. Signal and power cable (16) runs from the control unit (15) to the display net (13). The images can be made to appear independently on both sides of the net.

FIGURE 5 shows a traffic display net (22) over a motorway (21), with net display supports (23) at the sides of the road. The traffic net display (22) in this example shows variable speed signs (24). The display information utilises lights at nodes or and elongate sections (concept shown in Figures 1, 2, & 3). A power and control unit (25) at the side of the road controls the traffic net display through cable connections to the display net. The roadside control unit could be updated by modem/radio link from remote control centre (not shown). The net grid size and pattern is chosen to minimise wind loading, reduce risk of bird entrapment, whilst ensuring an adequate light pixel resolution for visual clarity in the traffic information displayed. A net colour can be chosen for the background. Colour lights provide writing, symbols, borders and also background if required by illuminating lights of various colours at selected nodes or and elongate sections of the net.

FIGURE 6 shows the elevation of a roadside deployable advertising net, in three stages, Figure 6A retracted, Figure 6B being deployed, and Figure 6C fully deployed, with advertising image created with lights in a net display of the concept described in Figures 1, 2 & 3. Specifically Figure 6 shows the telescopic support structure (311), with part (31) below ground. The part of the telescopic structure above ground in the retracted state is shown as (311), with stage (3111) the fully deployed telescopic support structure. The ground supports (35) also stop the boom with retracted display net (32) from rotating in plan. The display net boom (32) is shown partially deployed as (322) and fully deployed as (3222). The display net (33), triangle shape in this example of any practical size, is of the concept described in Figures (1,2 & 3) and lights up the advertising image or text, in this case the letter "S" (34). The telescopic support structure and the display net will be deployed by mechanical or hydraulic mechanism under electronic control (not shown). FIGURE 7 shows FIGURE 6 in side elevation.

Claims (19)

1. A net including: a plurality of elongate sections joined at a plurality of nodes to form a two dimensional structure having a plurality of through holes, the net further including one or both of the following: a plurality of lights arranged as a two dimensional array with the lights located at respective nodes ofthe net wherein the lights are controllable individually or in groups.

a plurality of lights arranged as a two dimensional array with the lights incorporated into the elongate sections of the net wherein the lights are controllable individually or in groups.

2. A net according to claim I wherein the elongate sections are flexible or rlgla.

3. A net according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the elongate sections are joined at said nodes flexibly or rigidly.

4. A net according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein control and/or power lines for the lights are arranged with the elongate sections to run to the periphery of the net for connection to a controller.

5. A display system including: a net according to any preceding claim; and a controller for connection to said lights and for controlling said lights to display selectively a plurality of images.

6. A sports net including a net according to any one of claims I to 4.

7. A sports net according to claim 6 wherein the sports net is a tennis net.

8. A sports net according to claim 6 wherein the sports net is a football/soccer net.

9. A sports net according to claim 6 wherein the sports net is a badminton net.

10. A display sign including a net according to any one of claims I to 4.

] 1. A display sign according to claim 10 including means for hanging the net across a road.

12. A display sign according to claim 10 wherein said net is flexible in at least one direction such that it can be rolled and unrolled and further including means to unroll the net to a deployed and visible position and roll the net to a stored and hidden position

13. A display including: a rollable two dimensional display member; and means to unroll the member to a deployed and visible position and roll the member to a stored and hidden position.

14. A method of displaying images on a sports net, the method including: arranging a plurality of lights in a two dimensional array with lights located at respective nodes of the net; and controlling the lights selectively to form a plurality of images.

15. A method of displaying information to motorists the method including: providing a net for temporary or permanent deployment in view of the motorists; arranging a plurality of lights as a two dimensional array of lights located at respective nodes of the net; and controlling the lights selectively to form a plurality of images.

16. A net constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.

17. A display system constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.

18. A display constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.

19. A method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.