IES80930B2 - A display device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a display device, and in particular, to a display device for sequentially displaying a plurality of frames of data, information and/or illustrations, and/or a combination of any or all of the above.

Display devices for displaying a plurality of frames of data, information and/or illustrations, which for convenience are collectively hereinafter referred to as frames of data are known. For example, one such display device is capable of sequentially displaying three frames of data. This display device comprises a framework and a plurality of three-sided laths arranged side by side with each other and extending parallel to each other from one side or end of the framework to the other. Each lath carries three segmental strips on its respective sides, and when the corresponding side faces of the respective laths are aligned with each other one frame of data is formed. By rotating the laths through 120° intervals the three frames of data are sequentially formed.

An alternative display device comprises a panel which comprises an array of lights or light emitting diodes, and by selectively lighting predetermined patterns of S 80930 some of the lights or light emitting diodes in the panel, frames of data may be formed. Depending on the number of lights or light emitting diodes in the panel, a large number of frames of data may be formed in this type of panel. However, both these types of display j devices suffer from a number of disadvantages.

Firstly, in the case of the display device which is formed by a framework and a plurality of three-sided laths, the display device is limited to displaying only three frames of data. In the display device with the array of lights or light emitting diodes, while a large number of frames of data may be formed, these panels are relatively expensive to provide, and to run. Additionally, in general, they are unsuitable for displaying pictorial type data, such as, for example, an advertisement which includes a picture, such as, for example, a landscape, people, a representation of the product being advertised and the like.

There is therefore a need for a display device which facilitates displaying a plurality of frames of data sequentially, which overcomes the problems of known display devices.

The present invention is directed towards providing such a display device.

According to the invention there is provided a displaydevice for sequentially displaying a plurality of frames of data, the device comprising a housing defining a hollow interior region, and having a viewing aperture to the hollow interior region, a pair of spaced apart reels located in the hollow interior region for receiving a sheet film which carries the frames of data, the reels being located for stretching a portion of the film across the aperture, and a drive means for driving at least one of the reels for moving the film past the aperture for sequentially aligning respective frames of data with the viewing aperture. Preferably, a light source is provided for illuminating each frame of data in the viewing aperture. More preferably, the light source comprises a continuous bulb.

In one embodiment of the invention the film is wound onto the respective reels, and the drive means is provided for winding the film between the respective reels from one reel to the other. Preferably, each reel is provided with independent drive means. More preferably, the drive means comprises at least one motor.

In another embodiment of the invention a control means is provided for controlling the drive means for controlling the dwell time each frame of data is aligned with the viewing aperture.

In another embodiment of the invention the control means controls the drive means for selecting at least some of the frames of data in a specific order, other than the order in which they are arranged on the film.

Preferably, the control means comprises a programmable printed circuit board for controlling operation of the drive means.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the display device further comprises position control means for controlling the position of the film. Advantageously, the position control means comprises film sensing means for sensing the location of the film. Preferably, the film sensing means comprise a sensor for detecting a marker on the film. More preferably, the sensor is located on a printed circuit board. Most preferably, the sensor is communicable with the drive means.

In another embodiment of the invention the light source is located in the hollow interior region for directing light through the film for viewing thereof, the film being located between the light source and the viewing aperture.

In another embodiment of the invention the light source comprises a light box comprising the bulb, and advantageously, the light box is closed by a translucent panel for transmitting light through the film.

Advantageously, the bulb comprises a fluorescent tube.

In another embodiment of the invention a transparent panel is located in the viewing aperture, and preferably, the transparent panel is of polycarbonate material.

In another embodiment of the invention the housing is of plastics material, and in an alternative embodiment of the invention the housing is of sheet metal, for example sheet aluminium.

In a still further embodiment of the invention an external input means is provided for operating the control means for selecting a frame or frames of data to be aligned with the viewing aperture.

Additionally the invention provides the display panel according to the invention comprising a film carrying a plurality of frames of data loaded therein.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of an embodiment thereof which is given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a display device according to the invention, Fig. 2 is a perspective view from above and one side of the display device of Fig. 1 showing the internal components of the device; Fig. 3 is a partially cutaway top plan view of the display device again showing the internal components of the device; Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the display device along the line IV-IV of Fig. 2, and Fig. 5 is a schematic top plan view of an edge portion of the film of the device provided with position markers disposed adjacent the position sensing means of the display device the position markers and the position sensing means in combination being the position control means.

Referring to the drawings there is illustrated a Ί display device according to the invention which is indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 for sequentially displaying a plurality of frames of data.

The display device 1 comprises a housing 2 of ABS plastics material which defines a hollow interior region 3. The housing 2 can be formed using vacuum forming. Typically the housing 2 is formed in two parts assembled and disassembled using pop-in shafts to facilitate access to the hollow interior region 3. A viewing aperture 5 is formed in the housing 2 to the hollow interior region 3 for viewing respective frames of data as will be described below.

The housing 2 comprises a back or base panel 7 for securing to a wall or other structure. A front panel 8 in which the viewing aperture 5 is formed, and a pair of side walls 9 and 10 and top and bottom end walls 11 and 12, respectively, extend from the front panel 8, and in combination form a single integral cover which is connected to the back panel 7 for providing access to the hollow interior region 3. A transparent panel 14 of polycarbonate material is located in the viewing aperture 5.

A pair of reels 15 and 16 are located in the hollow interior region 3 adjacent the top and bottom of the viewing aperture 5 for carrying a transparent sheet film 18 onto which the frames of data are printed, for example, by a photographic process. The reels 15 and are rotatable in bearings 36 which are carried on brackets which in turn are secured between the side walls 9,10, and the film 18 is wound onto the reels 15 and 16 for stretching across the viewing aperture 5.

A light source, in this case, a light box 20 is mounted on the back panel 7, and a snake-like continuous fluorescent light tube 21 is located in the light box 20 for illuminating the film 18 for viewing thereof through the viewing aperture 5. A translucent sheet 22 of plastics material closes the front of the light box 20 and transmits light through the film 18. Guide rollers (not shown) which are rotatably located in the hollow interior region 3 guide the film 18 between the reels 15 and 16 past the light box 20, and between the translucent panel 22 of the light box 20 and the transparent panel 14 in the viewing aperture 5.

A pair of drive means, namely, a pair of drive rollers 28 and 29 each powered by a motor 24, typically a DC motor, drive the reels 15 and 16 through drive belts 37 which extend between the rollers 28,29 and their respective reels 15,16, respectively, for winding the film between the reels 15 and 16, and for aligning the respective frames of data sequentially with the viewing aperture 5.

The device is provided with a mains supply cable 38 which communicates with a power pack 39 in the housing 2.

A programmable logic controller 33 is located in the hollow interior region 3 for controlling the operation of the light box 20 and the two drive rollers 28 and 29. The programmable logic controller 33 determines which of drive rollers 28 and 29 are to be operated by the motors 24, depending on which direction the film 18 is to be wound between the reels 15 and 16, and also determines which frame of data is to be aligned with the viewing aperture 5, and the dwell time during which the frame of data is to be aligned with the viewing aperture 5. In general, the display device 1 will be operated with the drive rollers 28 and 29 incrementing the film 18 from frame to frame in the sequence in which the frames of data appear on the film 18, and in general the dwell time for each frame of data will be similar. When the film 18 has been wound completely from one of the reels 15 to the other 16, the programmable logic controller 33 selects the other drive rollers 28 and 29 for rewinding the film 18 between the reels 15 and 16. The drive roller 28 or 29 which is operated for rewinding the film 18 between the reels 15 and 16 may rewind the film rapidly, but more likely will rewind the film 18 in incremental steps so that the film 18 is incremented from one frame to the next in both directions of winding between the reels 15 and 16.

In the present embodiment of the invention the programmable logic controller 33 is a printed circuit board 30 adapted to control movements of the film 18. The printed circuit board 30 has the advantage of being compact and minimising wiring requirements. Moreover, the printed circuit board 30 is adapted to facilitate manual stop/start control of the drive rollers 28,29.

Typically, an external control panel (not shown) is located on the front panel 8 adjacent the viewing aperture 5, and connected to the programmable logic controller 33 for facilitating manual override of the controller 33. For example, the control panel can allow an individual wishing to view a specific frame or frames of data to select the frame to be viewed. This feature, in general, would be provided on a display device 1 which is to display time tables of events, trains, buses, planes or the like or tourist information on a particular location or locations.

A position sensing device 31 is located adjacent the printed circuit board 30 in the hollow interior regions for monitoring and sensing the position of the film between the reels 15 and 16. The position sensing device 31 is made up of a printed circuit board 36 provided with three sensors 35 extending upwards from the top surface of the circuit board 36 towards the film 18. The sensors 35 are arranged side by side on the printed circuit board 36 to detect markers 37 located on the film 18. The markers 37 are located adjacent an outside edge of the film 18 but spaced from the outside edge of the film 18 to pass over the sensors 35 as the film 18 is passed between the reels 15,16. The marker 37 is sensed by the sensors 35 which in turn communicate with the motors 28,29 to cause the motors 28,29 to cease rotation of the drive wheels 28,29 upon sensing of the markers 37 to locate the film 18 in the correct location for viewing the matter printed or otherwise displayed on the film 18.

Accordingly, the sensors 35 and the marker 37 ensure that the film 18 is always correctly positioned for viewing the material on the film 18 thereby automatically compensating for errors introduced into the positioning of the film 18 by mechanical movement of the reels 15,16 and/or stretching or otherwise of the film 18 following prolonged use.

In use, the display device 1 may be used for advertising, presenting data, for example, time tables, tourist information and the like. A film 18 on which the appropriate advertisements, data and the like is printed is loaded into the device 1 onto the reels 15 and 16. The programmable logic controller 33 is then programmed to wind the film 18 between the reels 15 and 16 while the position sensing device 31 facilitates accurate location of the frames of data with the viewing aperture 5 in the desired sequence and for leaving the frames of data aligned with the viewing aperture 5 for the desired dwell time.

Should the display device 1 be provided with the control panel, the programmable logic controller 33 is programmed to interface with the control panel for facilitating selection of frames of data by an individual operating the control panel as previously described. Where the display device 1 is specifically for use in advertising, it is envisaged that the display device 1 will be provided without the control panel.

The advantages of the invention are many. The display device 1 is relatively simple, and can be provided relatively inexpensively. By virtue of the fact that the frames of data are printed on the film, a large number of frames may be contained on the film. The only limiting factor being the size of the roll of film which may be wound on the respective reels.

Additionally, where used in advertising, the sequence in which the frames of data are displayed may be readily easily selected and indeed altered by appropriately programming the programmable logic controller. Additionally, the dwell time or times for which each frame is aligned with the viewing aperture may be varied, and respective frames of data may be aligned with the viewing aperture for different times.

Thus, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention provides a display device which overcomes substantially most of the disadvantages of known display devices .

While the display device has been described as comprising a housing of ABS plastics or sheet aluminium, the housing may be of any other suitable material. Needless to say, the housing may be of any other shape or construction.

Any other suitable light source may be provided. It is also envisaged that in certain cases, the light source may be provided externally of the housing, or located in the housing whereby light would be directed onto the sheet film from the side of the viewing aperture for illuminating the film. While two motors have been described for driving the reels, in certain cases, it is envisaged that a single motor may be sufficient.

It is also envisaged that while the display device has been described as comprising the film wound onto the reels, in certain cases, it is envisaged that an endless film may be provided which would extend around and between a pair of spaced apart reels, and the return portion of the film could pass by the rear of the light box.

Needless to say, the frames of data may be carried on any suitable type of film material whether transparent, translucent or opaque, and where opaque, it will be appreciated that the light source will direct light onto the film from the side of the viewing aperture.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment hereinbefore described which may be varied in construction and detail.

Claims (5)

1. A display device for sequentially displaying a plurality of frames of data, the device comprising a housing defining a hollow interior region, and having a 5 viewing aperture to the hollow interior region, a pair of spaced apart reels located in the hollow interior region for receiving a sheet film which carries the frames of data, the reels being located for stretching a portion of the film across the aperture, and a drive 10 means for driving at least one of the reels for moving the film past the aperture for sequentially aligning respective frames of data with the viewing aperture.

2. A display device as claimed in Claim 1 in which a light source is provided for illuminating each frame of 15 data in the viewing aperture, the light source being located in the hollow interior region for directing light through the film for viewing thereof, the film being located between the light source and the viewing aperture. 20

3. A display device as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 in which the film is wound onto the respective reels, and the drive means is provided for winding the film between the respective reels from one reel to the other, and a control means is provided for controlling 25 the drive means for controlling the dwell time each frame of data is aligned with the viewing aperture.

4. A display device for sequentially displaying a plurality of frames of data, the display device being substantially as described herein with reference to and 5. As illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

5. A display device as claimed in any preceding claim, the display device comprising a film carrying a plurality of frames of data loaded therein.