WO1999027518A1 - Illuminatable apparatus - Google Patents

Illuminatable apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1999027518A1
WO1999027518A1 PCT/US1998/025299 US9825299W WO9927518A1 WO 1999027518 A1 WO1999027518 A1 WO 1999027518A1 US 9825299 W US9825299 W US 9825299W WO 9927518 A1 WO9927518 A1 WO 9927518A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
light emitting
emitting diodes
light
emitting diode
group
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1998/025299
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO1999027518A9 (en
Inventor
Larry Bridges
Mike Crosby
Rob Gallo
John Ziriada
John Petrosky
Carl Armstrong
Don Ball
Donald D. Brooks
Original Assignee
Display Tech, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Display Tech, Inc. filed Critical Display Tech, Inc.
Priority to AU16094/99A priority Critical patent/AU1609499A/en
Publication of WO1999027518A1 publication Critical patent/WO1999027518A1/en
Publication of WO1999027518A9 publication Critical patent/WO1999027518A9/en

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09G—ARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICES USING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION
    • G09G3/00—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes
    • G09G3/04—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes for presentation of a single character by selection from a plurality of characters, or by composing the character by combination of individual elements, e.g. segments using a combination of such display devices for composing words, rows or the like, in a frame with fixed character positions
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/14—Digital output to display device ; Cooperation and interconnection of the display device with other functional units
    • G06F3/147—Digital output to display device ; Cooperation and interconnection of the display device with other functional units using display panels
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09G—ARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICES USING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION
    • G09G3/00—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes
    • G09G3/20—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes for presentation of an assembly of a number of characters, e.g. a page, by composing the assembly by combination of individual elements arranged in a matrix no fixed position being assigned to or needed to be assigned to the individual characters or partial characters
    • G09G3/22—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes for presentation of an assembly of a number of characters, e.g. a page, by composing the assembly by combination of individual elements arranged in a matrix no fixed position being assigned to or needed to be assigned to the individual characters or partial characters using controlled light sources
    • G09G3/30—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes for presentation of an assembly of a number of characters, e.g. a page, by composing the assembly by combination of individual elements arranged in a matrix no fixed position being assigned to or needed to be assigned to the individual characters or partial characters using controlled light sources using electroluminescent panels
    • G09G3/32—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes for presentation of an assembly of a number of characters, e.g. a page, by composing the assembly by combination of individual elements arranged in a matrix no fixed position being assigned to or needed to be assigned to the individual characters or partial characters using controlled light sources using electroluminescent panels semiconductive, e.g. using light-emitting diodes [LED]

Definitions

  • the present invention relates, in general, to illuminatable apparatus, such as LEDs and light sources and, more specifically, to signs using LEDs to form changeable alphanumeric displays .
  • Signs with changeable numeric or alphanumeric displays are well known. Uses of such signs includes sports scoreboards and gas station price signs to name a few. Such displays are coupled by cables to remote controllers. Toggle switches on the controller enable each display character to be individually seguenced through 0 to 9 numerals to enable a selected numeral to be displayed.
  • Changeable signs typically for outdoor use for score boards, etc., generally utilize small illuminatable light bulbs. Bulbs are used for their high intensity and lumen output which makes them an ideal light source for outdoor signs where the bright ambient light can interfere with easy visibility of such signs.
  • LEDs Light emitting diodes or LEDs are a well known illuminatable device particularly suited for use on in solid state circuits, printed circuit boards, etc.
  • LEDs include dies bonded to leads.
  • a diffuser cap encapsulates the leads and the dies to provide structural integrity and to act as a light diffuser.
  • LEDs When excited by a voltage having the proper polarity and magnitude, LEDs generate monochromatic light.
  • LEDs are capable of generating only four colors including amber-yellow, blue, red, and green/aquamarine.
  • very high luminous efficiency LEDs are available which produce a high light output typically in the order of 650-2000mcd at a nominal drive current. Due to their relatively small size and easy use, LEDs are widely employed in a large number of applications.
  • a sign having changeable characters which does not require hard conductors between a controller and the sign for character changeability. It would also be desirable to provide a sign having changeable alphanumeric characters in which a selected display number for each digit of the sign can be viewed prior to changing the numeral on the sign. It would be desirable to provide a sign with changeable alphanumeric characters which can be retrofit into an existing sign having a pair of opposed flanges for normally receiving printed price cards. It would also be desirable to provide a sign utilizing light emitting diodes which are arranged to produce white light. It would also be desirable to provide a light source formed of light emitting diodes emitting monochromatic, colored light which are arranged so as to be viewed as a single point of white light.
  • the present invention is an illuminatable apparatus .
  • the illuminatable apparatus includes a module including at least one alphanumeric display means for displaying at least one alphanumeric character; control means, remote from the module, for selecting alphanumeric information for display on the module; and radio frequency communication means, coupled to the module and the control means, for communicating the selected alphanumeric information from the control means to the display means in the module.
  • Means are provided for mounting each module in a sign having a pair of opposed mounting members defining a slot therebetween.
  • Each module includes a planar sheet having an opposed pair of edges mountable in the pair of opposed mounting members.
  • Each module includes at least one rib enabling separation of a portion of the sheet to enable the sheet to fit within the mounting member and at least one receptacle in each sheet for receiving one display means therein.
  • the receptacle is disposed at an acute angle with respect to the sheet to dispose the display means at an acute angle from vertical when the display means and the module are mounted in a sign.
  • a plurality of spaced louvers extend from the sheet and overlay the display means.
  • Means are provided for selecting alphanumeric character information for displaying the display means, the selecting means generating sequential alphanumeric characters.
  • Address means are coupled to the display means and the control means to enable each means for selecting alphanumeric character information on the control means to communicate only with one corresponding display means.
  • the alphanumeric display is formed of a plurality of clusters of light emitting diode, each cluster of light emitting diodes being formed of inner and outer groups of non-white light emitting diodes arranged in close proximity so as to be viewed from a distance as a single group as a single point of white light.
  • the LEDs in the inner group of LEDs in each cluster are selected to emit light which is substantially complimentary to the color of light emitted by the LEDs in the outer group of each cluster.
  • the LEDs in the inner group of LEDs are preferably selected from a group of LEDs emitting light in wavelengths of one of about 455 to about 475nm and about 500 to about 520nm.
  • Each LED in each outer group of LEDs is selected to emit light in wavelengths of one of about 565 to about 602nm and about 645 to about 665nm.
  • the LEDs in each inner group emit blue lights, and each LED in each outer group emit amber/yellow light.
  • the LEDs in each inner group of LEDs emit aquamarine light, and each LED in each outer group emits red light.
  • Each inner group of LEDs in each LED cluster is formed of at least one LED
  • each outer group of LEDs in each LED cluster is formed of at least three LEDs.
  • the LEDs in each outer group of LEDs are circumferentially spaced about the inner group of LEDs.
  • the ratio of LEDs in each outer group of LEDs to the number of LEDs in each inner group of LEDs in each LED cluster is preferably about 3 : 1 to about 4:1.
  • Means are provided for forming a white background for each LED in each LED cluster.
  • a white colored disc mounted on a substrate carrying each LED, the white colored disc disposed between each LED and the substrate.
  • a large white member disposed between all of the clusters of LEDs and a substrate carrying the LEDs.
  • a white colored coating applied to the substrate.
  • Means are provided for changing the hue of each
  • the hue changing means includes means for changing the drive current to each LED in each LED cluster from a nominal drive current .
  • Drive currents less than the nominal drive current cause each LED cluster to be viewed from a distance as white light having a yellowish hue.
  • Drive currents higher than the nominal drive current cause each LED cluster to be viewed from a distance as white light having a bluish hue.
  • an alphanumeric display is formed of a plurality of clusters of light emitting diodes, each cluster of light emitting diodes formed of inner and outer groups of non-white light emitting diodes arranged in close proximity to be viewed from a distance as a single group as a single point of white light.
  • the clusters are activated in groups to form an alphanumeric character.
  • a plurality of LED clusters are arranged in an alphanumeric matrix in one character module.
  • the plurality of LED clusters can be arranged in close proximity to act as a large, single light source.
  • the illuminatable apparatus of the present invention enables characters formed of a more easily viewable white light to be uniquely created from LEDs which emit only colored light .
  • the unique arrangement of complimentary colored light emitting diodes in inner and outer groups combine to be viewed by the human eye at a distance from the light source as white light.
  • the LEDs in each inner and outer group of each LED cluster may be selected from LEDs emitting different wavelengths as long as the LEDs in the associated outer group of LEDs which emit complimentary visible colored light.
  • the white light producing LED clusters may be employed in any sign application requiring alphanumeric characters or closely grouped together to form a single large white light source.
  • the white light viewable LED clusters may also be employed in a sign having changeable characters .
  • a sign by means of remote radio frequency communication between the controller and the sign modules eliminates the need for hard wired conductors between the controller and the modules thereby enabling greater sign character changeability and longer useful life.
  • the controller also uniquely enables the characters selected for display in each module of the sign to be viewed prior to changing the characters on the sign thereby affording greater accuracy in changing the sign to new characters.
  • the sign of the present invention also can be retrofit into an existing sign which has a pair of opposed flanges for normally receiving printed alphanumeric character or numeral cards .
  • Fig. 1 is a pictorial representation of the remote control illuminatable sign constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention
  • Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the controller circuitry
  • Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a single sign module
  • Fig. 4 is an exploded, perspective view of the module shown in Fig. 3, with the louvers spaced from the sign base;
  • Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the sign module shown in Fig. 3;
  • Fig. 6 is a plan view of one of the changeable LED numerals mounted in the sign module depicted in Fig. 3;
  • Fig. 7 is a block diagram of the sign module circuitry
  • Fig. 8 is a side elevational view showing the mounting of a plurality of sign modules in manual sign slots;
  • Fig. 9 is a pictorial representation of one embodiment of a LED white light illumination apparatus or cluster according to the present invention.
  • Fig. 10 is a pictorial representation of a second embodiment of an LED cluster according to the present invention
  • Fig. 11 is a pictorial representation of an alphanumeric matrix utilizing the LED cluster shown in Fig. 10;
  • Fig. 12 is a pictorial representation of another embodiment of an alphanumeric matrix using the LED clusters shown in Fig. 9.
  • a remote control illuminatable sign apparatus 10 which provides remote control over changeable alphanumeric characters in a sign.
  • the apparatus 10 includes a central controller 12 which communicates by means of radio frequency signals with a remotely located sign 14.
  • the sign 14 is depicted by way of example only as including three distinct numeric displays 16, 18 and 20, each of which is identically constructed; but is capable of depicting a different numeric sequence, such as, for example, the price of three different grades of gasoline. Further, the sign 14 may be provided with displays on both front and back surfaces of the sign.
  • the controller 12 is depicted, by example, as a stand alone housing 26. Alternately, the controller 12 may be built into a control panel or otherwise mounted in a fixed location within a gas station office. At least one and preferably a plurality of rows of digits 28, 30 and 32 are mounted on the front face of the controller housing 26, with each row 28, 30 and 32 containing three changeable digits corresponding to the three changeable digits in the corresponding sign modules 16, 18 and 20 respectively. An individual push button or toggle switch 34 is provided for each changeable display 33 to enable an operator to easily change the numeric content of each display 33.
  • a key operated lock 36 is also mounted on the housing 26 to prevent unauthorized changing of the numeric displays 33.
  • a transmit push button 38 and a status light 40 or LED are mounted on the front face of the housing 26 for reasons which will be described in greater detail hereafter.
  • Fig. 2 there is depicted a detailed schematic of the circuitry employed in the controller 12 to provide changeability of the numeric displays 33 and transmission of the display information in the individual digit rows 28, 30 and 32 to the remotely located sign 14.
  • circuits 44 and 46 used to control the numeric output of each display 33 are identically constructed as depicted in Fig. 2. It will be understood that seven more circuits, identical to the circuits 44 shown in Fig . 2 , are employed to provide individual control over the nine displays 33 shown by way of example on the controller 12.
  • the push button 34 is connected to an NE555 timer/square wave generator 50 which generates a single, binary output pulse as shown in Fig. 2.
  • the output of the timer/square wave generator 50 is connected to a four bit counter 52 which provides a binary output count indicative of the number of times the push button 12 is toggled or pushed on.
  • the counter 52 counts up in binary from 0 to 9 and then starts over. The count is incremented once for each pulse from the square wave generator 50 and each toggle or "on" movement of the push button 34.
  • the four bit output of the counter 52 is connected to a four bit, latching, addressable encoder 54, such as an HT-12-E encoder.
  • the encoder 54 latches the binary output of the counter 52 along with two four bit addresses formed by a fixed four bit address means 56 printed on the circuit board containing the light display components and a changeable four bit address means 58 which includes four switches enabling a unique one of 16 selected binary combinations to the selected for each circuit 44.
  • the second address means 58 shown in Fig. 2, sets a second, fixed four bit address which identical for each of the display circuits 44 in a single controller.
  • the fixed address means 56 provides a distinct address for the individual display digits 33 in a single controller 12; to enable a plurality of controllers to be employed within a small area without cross communication.
  • the binary count portion of the encoder 54 is input to a BCD to 7 segment decoder 60 which drives one display 33.
  • a toggle input labeled TE on the encoder 54 receives a signal from a 4:16 decoder/demultiplexer described hereafter which selects a particular encoder 54 for transmission.
  • the encoder 54 serially outputs the count which corresponds to the selected numeric value on a display 33 along with an eight bit address from the address means 56 and 58 on line 62 to a transmitter 64 which transmits the count and address to the sign 14 as described hereafter. Any or all of the displays 33 on the controller
  • the operator 12 may be changed at any time. Typically, the operator will change the numeric values of the displays 33 by toggling the selected push buttons 34 until the desired numeric value appears in the associated display 33. Once all of the displays 33 have been changed to the desired numeric value, the data is ready to be transmitted to the sign 14. This is accomplished by picking each of the nine display circuits 44 in sequence, one at a time. The selection of the nine display circuits 44 is activated by a power transistor 66 connected to the transmitter 64 which is driven into conduction by depression of the transmit pushbutton 38.
  • the transmit enable circuit includes a reset power monitor, such as a DS-1233 chip 70, which, when activated, such as by the application of +5 volts thereto during power up, outputs a single pulse shown in Fig. 2.
  • the reset power monitor 70 then turns off and remains off until the next off/on power sequence.
  • the pulse 72 is input to a timer/square wave generator, such as an NE555 chip 74, which generates a long duration, 15 second, for example, output pulse 76 to the 4:16 decoder/demultiplexer 78.
  • Also input to the decoder/demultiplexer 78 is a signal pulse from the transmit push button 38 as described hereafter.
  • the reset power monitor 70 and timer/square wave generator 74 provide the long duration output signal 76 to enable the decoder demultiplexer 78 to provide sequential output signals to all of the display circuits 44 to transmit old data to the remote sign 14 upon each power up.
  • Change data can be sent at any time by the user, after the individual display digits 33 have been changed as described above, by the depression of the transmit push button 38.
  • This depression activates a reset power monitor 80, such as a DS-1233 chip, which provides an output pulse to a timer/square wave generator 82.
  • the timer/square wave generator 82 activates status light or LED 40 for a set time period, such as 10 seconds after which the timer 82 turns the light or LED 40 off letting the operator know that is okay to let up or release the push button 38.
  • Depression of the transmit push button 38 sends a signal or conductor 76 to the decoder/demultiplexer 78.
  • Another NE-555 timer/square wave generator 84 is connected to a four bit counter 86 to provide a continuous stream of increasing counts from 0 to 15 before resetting to 0 and continuing upcounting again.
  • the output of the four bit counter 86 is input to the decoder/demultiplexer 78 to activation of one of the nine outputs of the decoder/demultiplexer 78 which are connected to each of the individual display circuits 44 for sequentially selecting the display circuits 44.
  • the decoder/demultiplexer 78 will sequentially generate nine distinct output signals which will individually and sequentially activate each display circuit 44, as described above. This causes the count data or display value of each display digit 33 along with its address to be sequentially sent to the transmitter 64 and, from the transmitter 64, to be transmitted by radio frequency signals to a remotely located receiver 90 mounted in the sign 14.
  • each identical sign module such as sign module 16 is formed of a generally planar base 92 from a suitable plastic.
  • the base 92 is provided with a plurality of laterally extending ribs 94 which also provide cut lines enabling the overall height of each base 92 to be modified to fit within a pair of existing sign mounts, as described hereafter.
  • a support 96 is integrally formed with the base 92 and protrudes outward from a front surface of the base 92 as shown in Figs. 3-5.
  • the support 96 has a generally rectangular configuration and a front edge or face 98 disposed at an acute angle with respect to the base 92 as shown in Fig. 5. This places the individual light displays mounted in the support 96 and described hereafter, at a predetermined angle of 2° -3°, for example, with respect to vertical to provide easier viewing of the light displays from the ground.
  • the support 96 includes a plurality of recesses 100 sized to receive individual light display circuit boards. Additional recesses 102 and 104 are also formed in the support 96 to receive LED circuit boards representing a decimal point and a 9/10 this symbol as is conventional with gasoline station prices. Apertures may be formed through the recesses 100, 102 and 104 or other portions of the support 96 for passage of wires between the individual displays mounted therein as well as the decimal display and 9/10 the display.
  • a shade means or louver assembly 104 is removably mounted to the support 96.
  • the shade means 104 includes a plurality of laterally extending slats 106 which project generally perpendicularly outward from a frame 108. Cutouts 110 are formed in the frame 108 to enable viewing of the individual displays therethrough.
  • 104 is to provide enhanced visibility of the displays in high ambient light conditions.
  • Each display 112 includes a circuit board 114 on which a plurality of illumination means, preferably bright LEDs 116, are mounted in a three parallel row, seven segment display. A plurality of the LEDs 116 are grouped together, as shown in Fig. 6, to form the individual seven segments of a single display. Each digit 112 has a changeable member circuit mounted thereon.
  • the circuit shown in Fig. 7, which is one of nine identical circuits, includes a four bit, latching, addressable, HT-12-D decoder 120, the output of which is connected to a BCD to 7 segment 74LS47 decoder 122.
  • the individual outputs of the seven segment decoder 122 are input through individual power transistors such as power FETs 124, shown in Fig. 6, which drive the plurality of LEDs 116 in each display segment.
  • Input to the four bit decoder 120 is an eight bit selectable address means 126 which may be any changeable address select form, such as wire jumpers or switches, for example.
  • the binary address set in the address means 126 corresponds to a specific 8 bit address of one of the display digits 33 in the controller.
  • circuit boards are mounted in the recesses 102 and 104 in the support 96 and include a plurality of bright LEDs or other illumination means which are continually energized as long as power is supplied to the sign module 16 for illumination of a simulated decimal point and a 9/10 the symbol.
  • Fig. 8 depicts a conventional, existing sign 14 in the form of a hollow housing 130 which is provided on at least one or possibly both opposed major surfaces with one or more pairs of opposed mounting members 132 and 134 which form opposed slots configured for normally receiving printed cards containing numeric gasoline price information.
  • the printed cards are replaced with new cards depicting the new price.
  • the individual sign modules 16, 18 and 20 are merely slid into the opposed pairs of slots formed by the mounting members 132 and 134 as shown in Fig. 8. Since the sign modules 16, 18 and 20 are pre-wired with the individual display digits 112, decimal point and 9/10 the indicia, all that need to be done is to mount the receiver 90 and power supply, not shown, within the sign housing 130 and to connect the output of the receiver means 90 to the individual displays 112 on each sign module 16, 18 and 20.
  • an illumination apparatus or light cluster 210 which can be used in the sign 14 or in other illumination applications.
  • the cluster 210 is formed of a predetermined arrangement of a plurality of individual LEDs with selected color output .
  • the light cluster 210 is formed of inner and outer rings or groups of LEDs .
  • the inner ring or group of LEDs in the embodiment shown in Fig. 9 is formed of at least one LED 212. It will be understood that multiple LEDs may be employed to form the inner ring or group of LEDs and arranged in a close proximity arrangement, such as a triangle, square, circle, etc.
  • the LED 212 is preferably a T ls/4 size LED having a luminous intensity of 650mcd or greater for use in outdoor signs, etc.
  • the LED 212 forming the first group of LEDs of the LED cluster 210 may be of the type that emits blue light in wavelengths of between approximately 465-475nm. Alternately, the LED 212 can also be of the type that emits green or aquamarine light in wavelengths of approximately 500-520nm. Such LEDs are available from Taitron Components, Inc., as model numbers E1L53-3B or E1L53-3G, respectively.
  • the outer ring of the LED cluster 210 shown in Fig. 9 is also formed of a plurality of individual LEDs with three LEDs, 214, 216 and 218 being described by way of example only.
  • the three LEDs, 214, 216 and 218 are arranged in a triangle, with each LED 214, 216 and 218 disposed in close proximity to the inner group of LEDs 212.
  • the LEDs 212, 214, 216 and 218 forming the LED cluster 210 are arranged on a 0.2 inch center to center spacing and may even be touching.
  • the close proximity arrangements enable the discrete LEDs 212, 214, 216 and 218 to be seen as a single point of light when viewed from a distance of six or more feet, for example.
  • the LEDs forming the outer ring or group of LEDs may be provided in a different arrangement formed of at least four LEDs, 220, 222, 224 and
  • each LED cluster 210 and 219 may be increased to completely surround the inner ring or group of LEDs 212 and to expand the light producing surface area of the LED cluster 210 or 219.
  • the LEDs 214, 216 and 218 in the LED cluster 212 as well as the LEDs 220, 222, 224 and 226 and the LED cluster 219 emit wavelengths of visible light different than the wavelengths of light emitted by the inner group of LEDs 212.
  • the LEDs 214, 216 and 218 in the LED cluster 210 or the LEDs 220, 222, 224, and 226 in the LED cluster 219 are selected to emit amber or yellow light in wavelengths of between 565-602nm.
  • amber LEDs are sold by Leotek Electronics Corporation, model number DL- 00Y.
  • This LED is a high power aluminum indium gallium phosphide (AlIlInGaP) .
  • the LEDs 214, 216 and 218 or 220, 222, 224 and 226 forming the outer ring or group of LEDs in each LED cluster 210 or 219 may be selected to emit red light in wavelengths of approximately 645-665nm when the inner group of LEDs 212 emits green or aquamarine light.
  • the LEDs forming the inner and outer groups of each LED cluster 212 and 219 are selected to generate substantially complimentary colored light, such as blue and amber/yellow in the LED cluster 210, and green/aquamarine and red in the LED cluster 219. It is believed that the use of complimentary colors in each LED cluster 210 or 219 causes the different monochromatic light generated by the inner and outer groups of LEDs to be blended and viewed as white light by the human eye, particularly when the LED clusters 212 and 219 are viewed from a distance of 6 to 210 feet or more.
  • each light cluster 212 and 219 is viewed by the human eye as a single white spot when viewed from a distance of 6 to 10 feet or more.
  • the LED clusters 212 and 219 emit visible light which is viewed by an observer as white light even though the individual wavelengths emitted by each LED are a different monochromatic color.
  • the number of LEDs in the outer ring or group to the number of LEDs in the inner ring or group be at a ratio of about 3:1 to about 4:1. It is believed that this ratio balances the linear output of the inner and outer groups of LEDs to facilitate the blending of the different wavelengths into what is viewed as a spot of white light.
  • the LED clusters 210 and 219 are mounted on a support, such as a printed circuit board 230.
  • a white background be provided for each LED in each LED cluster 210 and 219.
  • the white backing may be formed in various ways, such as a thin, disk-like backing member 232 which is mounted between the back of each LED 214, 216 and 218 in the LED cluster 210 and the top surface of the support or circuit board 230.
  • the white backing members 232 may also be provided as a single large backing member or disc which has a diameter or outer edge of a sufficient diameter width so as to extend outward beyond the outer peripheries of all of the LEDs in the LED cluster 210 or 219.
  • the white backing may be provided by a white colored coating or layer applied to the printed circuit board 230.
  • the white coating may be formed of white ink or white paint or the printed circuit board 230 may be formed with white pigments.
  • a white backing 232 in any of the forms described above blocks the normal green or dark colors of the material conventionally used to form printed circuit boards as well as increasing the field of view angle of each LED cluster 210 or 219. Without the white backing member 232, the viewing angle of the LED cluster 210 or 219 is considerably narrowed such that an observer located close to the LED cluster 210 to 219, such as at a distance of 6 feet or less or at extreme side angles from a position perpendicular to the center of the LED cluster 210 or 219 would begin to see the individual monochromatic colors emitted by each LED in each LED cluster 210 or 219 and any blending of the monochromatic colors by the human eye would begin to diminish.
  • Fig. 11 depicts one example of an alphanumeric M X N matrix 240 which, by way of example, is formed of a five column by eight row arrangement of LED clusters 219. It will be understood that the alphanumeric matrix 240 shown in Fig. 11 may also employ the LED clusters 210 shown in Fig. 9. The matrix may also be formed with any number of rows and columns, such as the 6x8 matrix 244 shown in Fig. 14 which is formed of the LED clusters 210. Further, the LED clusters 210 and 219 may be at any spacing from adjacent LED clusters, with small spacings being more preferred.
  • Each LED cluster 219 or 210 is constructed as described above, such as on a single large printed circuit board 242.
  • White backing members either of a separate form provided for each LED cluster 219 or 210 or in the form of a white coating on the printed circuit board 242 are also provided. Since the matrix 240 or 244 is viewable as a substantially single area of white light, the matrix 240 or 244 can function as a white light source for illuminating surrounding areas . It is also possible to vary the tint or hue of the white light viewed by an observer from the LED clusters 210 or 219 to provide either a blue or yellow hue or cast to the white light as may be better suited for a particular application. This is achieved by varying the drive current supplied to the LEDs in each LED cluster 210 or 219.
  • a higher than nominal operating current supplied to the LEDs in the LED clusters 210 or 219 will provide a slight bluish hue to the white light observed by an observer due to the increased brightness of the inner blue light emitting LED 212.
  • a slightly less than normal operating current supplied to the LED clusters 210 or 219 will cause the white light observed by an observer to have a slight yellowish hue or cast, since the yellow light emitting LEDs 214, 216 and 218 in the outer ring are now brighter than the inner ring LED 212.
  • the present invention comprises a white light illuminating apparatus which is formed by LEDs generating different monochromatic wavelengths or colors of light.
  • a plurality of LEDs are mounted on a support in a closely arranged group formed of an inner group of LEDs and an outer group of LEDs closely adjacent to the inner group which are viewable as a single light from a distance.
  • the inner group of LEDs comprises at least one LED selected from the group consisting of LEDs emitting light in wavelengths of between approximately 460 nm to approximately 520 nm.
  • the outer group of LEDs comprises a plurality of LEDs selected from a group of LEDs which emit light in wavelengths of between approximately 565 nm to approximately 665 nm.
  • a white backing is provided behind each LED or LED cluster to block any colored light reflected off of the typically dark colored printed circuit board.
  • the white backing member may be in the form of individual white colored discs mounted between each LED cluster and the printed circuit board, a single, large, white colored backing member of a size larger than the outer periphery of the entire LED cluster, or a white coating applied to the printed circuit board.
  • the inner group of LEDs in each LED cluster emits blue light in wavelengths of approximately 460-490nm.
  • the outer group of LEDs is formed of three LEDs arranged in a triangle, with each LED in the outer ring disposed in close proximity to the inner group of LEDs and emits amber or yellow light in wavelengths of approximately 565-602nm.
  • the inner LED emits green or aquamarine light in wavelengths of approximately 500- 520nm.
  • the LEDs in the outer ring emit red light in wavelengths of approximately 645-665 nm.
  • the inner group of LEDs comprise a single LED emitting visible light in the wavelength described in the embodiments described above.
  • the outer ring of LEDs is arranged as a square or rectangle with an LED disposed at each of the four corners of the square in close proximity to the inner LED and producing visible light in the wavelength described above.
  • a plurality of LED clusters 210 or 219 constructed as described above are grouped together in numbers of three to six LED or more clusters on a single support or printed circuit board. The individual cluster 210 and 219 may be closely packed together so as to create a single, large spot of light when viewed from a distance.
  • LED clusters may be employed as long as one inner group of LEDs is surrounded by an outer group of LEDs in the rations described above.
  • the support or printed circuit board is mounted in a conventional screw-in lamp base and surrounded by an optional outer cap or bulb or having the leads covered by epoxy. This embodiment enables the inventive LED clusters to be employed in retrofit applications in signs and other applications which currently use screw-in light bulbs.
  • the matrices 240 and 244 may be employed for each of the digits 16, 18 and 20 in the sign 14 shown in Fig. 1.
  • the individual clusters 210 and 219 may be coupled in groups, similar to that described above and shown in Fig. 6, to provide the alphanumeric bar segments necessary to visually illuminate any desired letter or number on the housing 16.
  • each LED cluster 210 or 219 may replace any one or a number of the LEDs 116 in the display segment 112 shown in Fig. 6 to produce a white display rather than the colored light display described above for Fig. 6. In this configuration, each LED cluster 210 or 219 will be provided with an appropriate current driver as described above .
  • the present invention comprises a sign having changeable characters in which the alphanumeric characters can be changed without the need for hard wire conductors between a remote located controller in the sign. Further, the controller provides a preview for display of the selected character for each digit of the sign prior to changing the character on the sign so as to confirm the correct display.
  • the present sign can be retrofit into an existing sign without requiring extensive modifications to the existing sign.
  • the unique white light emitting diode clusters uniquely overcomes the deficiency of utilizing the less visible monochromatic, colored light emitting diodes in large scale signs by grouping the monochromatic, colored light emitting diodes in an arrangement which is viewed from a distance as points of white light. This provides greater viewability for the sign, particularly when the sign is a gas station sign or the like where the sign is located a considerable elevation above the ground.

Abstract

An illuminatable display apparatus (10) includes a module (16) containing illuminatable elements arranged to form at least one alphanumeric character. A remote controller (12) selects alphanumeric information, which is transmitted by radio frequency signal, for displaying the selected information on the module. In a plurality of modules, each module receives information independently from the controller (12). The illuminatable elements are arranged to be illuminated in groups to form segments of an alphanumeric character.

Description

ILLUMINATABLE APPARATUS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention:
The present invention relates, in general, to illuminatable apparatus, such as LEDs and light sources and, more specifically, to signs using LEDs to form changeable alphanumeric displays . Description of the Art:
Signs with changeable numeric or alphanumeric displays are well known. Uses of such signs includes sports scoreboards and gas station price signs to name a few. Such displays are coupled by cables to remote controllers. Toggle switches on the controller enable each display character to be individually seguenced through 0 to 9 numerals to enable a selected numeral to be displayed.
While such signs provide a changeable display, these signs do have certain disadvantages. For one, the signs must be viewed from the controller to ensure that the desired number is displayed on the sign. This is difficult for gas station signs where the sign may be 30 or more feet above the ground and out of sight of the office and controller.' Second, hard wires or cables are typically run between the controller and the remote sign. In gas stations and other applications, the cables must be run underground which adds to the cost of the sign installation and makes repair or expansion of the sign capabilities difficult. Changeable signs, typically for outdoor use for score boards, etc., generally utilize small illuminatable light bulbs. Bulbs are used for their high intensity and lumen output which makes them an ideal light source for outdoor signs where the bright ambient light can interfere with easy visibility of such signs.
Light emitting diodes or LEDs are a well known illuminatable device particularly suited for use on in solid state circuits, printed circuit boards, etc. LEDs include dies bonded to leads. A diffuser cap encapsulates the leads and the dies to provide structural integrity and to act as a light diffuser. When excited by a voltage having the proper polarity and magnitude, LEDs generate monochromatic light. Currently LEDs are capable of generating only four colors including amber-yellow, blue, red, and green/aquamarine. Presently, very high luminous efficiency LEDs are available which produce a high light output typically in the order of 650-2000mcd at a nominal drive current. Due to their relatively small size and easy use, LEDs are widely employed in a large number of applications. However, the available colors of light emitted by LEDs has prevented their use in large size signs, such as outdoor signs employed at gas stations, banks, etc., for displaying gas prices, temperature, stock information and other messages. Such outdoor signs are typically mounted a considerable distance off the ground and must have a sufficient brightness so as to be easily readable by an observer on the ground at large distances from the sign and under a number of different ambient conditions, including bright sunlight. Despite the availability of LEDs with high luminous efficiency or brightness, the human eye is not as responsive to the colors emitted by currently available LEDs as it is to white light.
Thus, it would be desirable to provide a sign having changeable characters which does not require hard conductors between a controller and the sign for character changeability. It would also be desirable to provide a sign having changeable alphanumeric characters in which a selected display number for each digit of the sign can be viewed prior to changing the numeral on the sign. It would be desirable to provide a sign with changeable alphanumeric characters which can be retrofit into an existing sign having a pair of opposed flanges for normally receiving printed price cards. It would also be desirable to provide a sign utilizing light emitting diodes which are arranged to produce white light. It would also be desirable to provide a light source formed of light emitting diodes emitting monochromatic, colored light which are arranged so as to be viewed as a single point of white light.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is an illuminatable apparatus .
In one embodiment, the illuminatable apparatus includes a module including at least one alphanumeric display means for displaying at least one alphanumeric character; control means, remote from the module, for selecting alphanumeric information for display on the module; and radio frequency communication means, coupled to the module and the control means, for communicating the selected alphanumeric information from the control means to the display means in the module. A plurality of modules, each with at least one display means, each independently receive selected alphanumeric information from the control means.
Means are provided for mounting each module in a sign having a pair of opposed mounting members defining a slot therebetween. Each module includes a planar sheet having an opposed pair of edges mountable in the pair of opposed mounting members. Each module includes at least one rib enabling separation of a portion of the sheet to enable the sheet to fit within the mounting member and at least one receptacle in each sheet for receiving one display means therein. The receptacle is disposed at an acute angle with respect to the sheet to dispose the display means at an acute angle from vertical when the display means and the module are mounted in a sign. A plurality of spaced louvers extend from the sheet and overlay the display means.
Means are provided for selecting alphanumeric character information for displaying the display means, the selecting means generating sequential alphanumeric characters.
Address means are coupled to the display means and the control means to enable each means for selecting alphanumeric character information on the control means to communicate only with one corresponding display means.
In another embodiment, the alphanumeric display is formed of a plurality of clusters of light emitting diode, each cluster of light emitting diodes being formed of inner and outer groups of non-white light emitting diodes arranged in close proximity so as to be viewed from a distance as a single group as a single point of white light. The LEDs in the inner group of LEDs in each cluster are selected to emit light which is substantially complimentary to the color of light emitted by the LEDs in the outer group of each cluster.
The LEDs in the inner group of LEDs are preferably selected from a group of LEDs emitting light in wavelengths of one of about 455 to about 475nm and about 500 to about 520nm Each LED in each outer group of LEDs is selected to emit light in wavelengths of one of about 565 to about 602nm and about 645 to about 665nm. In one specific embodiment, the LEDs in each inner group emit blue lights, and each LED in each outer group emit amber/yellow light.
In another specific embodiment, the LEDs in each inner group of LEDs emit aquamarine light, and each LED in each outer group emits red light.
Each inner group of LEDs in each LED cluster is formed of at least one LED, and each outer group of LEDs in each LED cluster is formed of at least three LEDs. The LEDs in each outer group of LEDs are circumferentially spaced about the inner group of LEDs. The ratio of LEDs in each outer group of LEDs to the number of LEDs in each inner group of LEDs in each LED cluster is preferably about 3 : 1 to about 4:1.
Means are provided for forming a white background for each LED in each LED cluster. A white colored disc mounted on a substrate carrying each LED, the white colored disc disposed between each LED and the substrate. A large white member disposed between all of the clusters of LEDs and a substrate carrying the LEDs. A white colored coating applied to the substrate. White pigments formed in the substrate. Means are provided for changing the hue of each
LED cluster. The hue changing means includes means for changing the drive current to each LED in each LED cluster from a nominal drive current . Drive currents less than the nominal drive current cause each LED cluster to be viewed from a distance as white light having a yellowish hue. Drive currents higher than the nominal drive current cause each LED cluster to be viewed from a distance as white light having a bluish hue.
In another embodiment, an alphanumeric display is formed of a plurality of clusters of light emitting diodes, each cluster of light emitting diodes formed of inner and outer groups of non-white light emitting diodes arranged in close proximity to be viewed from a distance as a single group as a single point of white light. The clusters are activated in groups to form an alphanumeric character.
A plurality of LED clusters are arranged in an alphanumeric matrix in one character module. The plurality of LED clusters can be arranged in close proximity to act as a large, single light source. The illuminatable apparatus of the present invention enables characters formed of a more easily viewable white light to be uniquely created from LEDs which emit only colored light . The unique arrangement of complimentary colored light emitting diodes in inner and outer groups combine to be viewed by the human eye at a distance from the light source as white light. The LEDs in each inner and outer group of each LED cluster may be selected from LEDs emitting different wavelengths as long as the LEDs in the associated outer group of LEDs which emit complimentary visible colored light.
The white light producing LED clusters may be employed in any sign application requiring alphanumeric characters or closely grouped together to form a single large white light source.
The white light viewable LED clusters may also be employed in a sign having changeable characters . Such a sign, by means of remote radio frequency communication between the controller and the sign modules eliminates the need for hard wired conductors between the controller and the modules thereby enabling greater sign character changeability and longer useful life. The controller also uniquely enables the characters selected for display in each module of the sign to be viewed prior to changing the characters on the sign thereby affording greater accuracy in changing the sign to new characters. The sign of the present invention also can be retrofit into an existing sign which has a pair of opposed flanges for normally receiving printed alphanumeric character or numeral cards .
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The various features, advantages and other uses of the present invention will become more apparent by referring to the following detailed description and drawing in which:
Fig. 1 is a pictorial representation of the remote control illuminatable sign constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the controller circuitry;
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a single sign module;
Fig. 4 is an exploded, perspective view of the module shown in Fig. 3, with the louvers spaced from the sign base;
Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the sign module shown in Fig. 3;
Fig. 6 is a plan view of one of the changeable LED numerals mounted in the sign module depicted in Fig. 3;
Fig. 7 is a block diagram of the sign module circuitry; Fig. 8 is a side elevational view showing the mounting of a plurality of sign modules in manual sign slots;
Fig. 9 is a pictorial representation of one embodiment of a LED white light illumination apparatus or cluster according to the present invention;
Fig. 10 is a pictorial representation of a second embodiment of an LED cluster according to the present invention; Fig. 11 is a pictorial representation of an alphanumeric matrix utilizing the LED cluster shown in Fig. 10; and
Fig. 12 is a pictorial representation of another embodiment of an alphanumeric matrix using the LED clusters shown in Fig. 9.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Refer now to the drawing, and to Figs. 1-8 in particular, there is depicted a remote control illuminatable sign apparatus 10 which provides remote control over changeable alphanumeric characters in a sign.
As shown in Fig. 1, the apparatus 10 includes a central controller 12 which communicates by means of radio frequency signals with a remotely located sign 14. The sign 14 is depicted by way of example only as including three distinct numeric displays 16, 18 and 20, each of which is identically constructed; but is capable of depicting a different numeric sequence, such as, for example, the price of three different grades of gasoline. Further, the sign 14 may be provided with displays on both front and back surfaces of the sign.
The controller 12 is depicted, by example, as a stand alone housing 26. Alternately, the controller 12 may be built into a control panel or otherwise mounted in a fixed location within a gas station office. At least one and preferably a plurality of rows of digits 28, 30 and 32 are mounted on the front face of the controller housing 26, with each row 28, 30 and 32 containing three changeable digits corresponding to the three changeable digits in the corresponding sign modules 16, 18 and 20 respectively. An individual push button or toggle switch 34 is provided for each changeable display 33 to enable an operator to easily change the numeric content of each display 33.
A key operated lock 36 is also mounted on the housing 26 to prevent unauthorized changing of the numeric displays 33. A transmit push button 38 and a status light 40 or LED are mounted on the front face of the housing 26 for reasons which will be described in greater detail hereafter.
Referring now to Fig. 2, there is depicted a detailed schematic of the circuitry employed in the controller 12 to provide changeability of the numeric displays 33 and transmission of the display information in the individual digit rows 28, 30 and 32 to the remotely located sign 14.
The individual circuits 44 and 46 used to control the numeric output of each display 33 are identically constructed as depicted in Fig. 2. It will be understood that seven more circuits, identical to the circuits 44 shown in Fig . 2 , are employed to provide individual control over the nine displays 33 shown by way of example on the controller 12.
In the digit circuit 44, the push button 34 is connected to an NE555 timer/square wave generator 50 which generates a single, binary output pulse as shown in Fig. 2. The output of the timer/square wave generator 50 is connected to a four bit counter 52 which provides a binary output count indicative of the number of times the push button 12 is toggled or pushed on. The counter 52 counts up in binary from 0 to 9 and then starts over. The count is incremented once for each pulse from the square wave generator 50 and each toggle or "on" movement of the push button 34. The four bit output of the counter 52 is connected to a four bit, latching, addressable encoder 54, such as an HT-12-E encoder. The encoder 54 latches the binary output of the counter 52 along with two four bit addresses formed by a fixed four bit address means 56 printed on the circuit board containing the light display components and a changeable four bit address means 58 which includes four switches enabling a unique one of 16 selected binary combinations to the selected for each circuit 44. The second address means 58, shown in Fig. 2, sets a second, fixed four bit address which identical for each of the display circuits 44 in a single controller. The fixed address means 56 provides a distinct address for the individual display digits 33 in a single controller 12; to enable a plurality of controllers to be employed within a small area without cross communication.
The binary count portion of the encoder 54 is input to a BCD to 7 segment decoder 60 which drives one display 33. As shown in Fig.2, a toggle input labeled TE on the encoder 54 receives a signal from a 4:16 decoder/demultiplexer described hereafter which selects a particular encoder 54 for transmission. When activated by the toggle enable signal, the encoder 54 serially outputs the count which corresponds to the selected numeric value on a display 33 along with an eight bit address from the address means 56 and 58 on line 62 to a transmitter 64 which transmits the count and address to the sign 14 as described hereafter. Any or all of the displays 33 on the controller
12 may be changed at any time. Typically, the operator will change the numeric values of the displays 33 by toggling the selected push buttons 34 until the desired numeric value appears in the associated display 33. Once all of the displays 33 have been changed to the desired numeric value, the data is ready to be transmitted to the sign 14. This is accomplished by picking each of the nine display circuits 44 in sequence, one at a time. The selection of the nine display circuits 44 is activated by a power transistor 66 connected to the transmitter 64 which is driven into conduction by depression of the transmit pushbutton 38.
The transmit enable circuit includes a reset power monitor, such as a DS-1233 chip 70, which, when activated, such as by the application of +5 volts thereto during power up, outputs a single pulse shown in Fig. 2. The reset power monitor 70 then turns off and remains off until the next off/on power sequence. The pulse 72 is input to a timer/square wave generator, such as an NE555 chip 74, which generates a long duration, 15 second, for example, output pulse 76 to the 4:16 decoder/demultiplexer 78. Also input to the decoder/demultiplexer 78 is a signal pulse from the transmit push button 38 as described hereafter. The reset power monitor 70 and timer/square wave generator 74 provide the long duration output signal 76 to enable the decoder demultiplexer 78 to provide sequential output signals to all of the display circuits 44 to transmit old data to the remote sign 14 upon each power up.
Change data can be sent at any time by the user, after the individual display digits 33 have been changed as described above, by the depression of the transmit push button 38. This depression activates a reset power monitor 80, such as a DS-1233 chip, which provides an output pulse to a timer/square wave generator 82. The timer/square wave generator 82 activates status light or LED 40 for a set time period, such as 10 seconds after which the timer 82 turns the light or LED 40 off letting the operator know that is okay to let up or release the push button 38.
Depression of the transmit push button 38 sends a signal or conductor 76 to the decoder/demultiplexer 78. Another NE-555 timer/square wave generator 84 is connected to a four bit counter 86 to provide a continuous stream of increasing counts from 0 to 15 before resetting to 0 and continuing upcounting again. The output of the four bit counter 86 is input to the decoder/demultiplexer 78 to activation of one of the nine outputs of the decoder/demultiplexer 78 which are connected to each of the individual display circuits 44 for sequentially selecting the display circuits 44. In this manner, once the operator depresses the push button 38, the decoder/demultiplexer 78 will sequentially generate nine distinct output signals which will individually and sequentially activate each display circuit 44, as described above. This causes the count data or display value of each display digit 33 along with its address to be sequentially sent to the transmitter 64 and, from the transmitter 64, to be transmitted by radio frequency signals to a remotely located receiver 90 mounted in the sign 14.
Before describing the changeable number circuit in the sign module 16, 18 and 20, a brief description of the construction of each of the identical sign modules 16, 18 and 20 will be provided. As shown in Figs. 3-5, each identical sign module, such as sign module 16, is formed of a generally planar base 92 from a suitable plastic. The base 92 is provided with a plurality of laterally extending ribs 94 which also provide cut lines enabling the overall height of each base 92 to be modified to fit within a pair of existing sign mounts, as described hereafter.
A support 96 is integrally formed with the base 92 and protrudes outward from a front surface of the base 92 as shown in Figs. 3-5. The support 96 has a generally rectangular configuration and a front edge or face 98 disposed at an acute angle with respect to the base 92 as shown in Fig. 5. This places the individual light displays mounted in the support 96 and described hereafter, at a predetermined angle of 2° -3°, for example, with respect to vertical to provide easier viewing of the light displays from the ground.
The support 96 includes a plurality of recesses 100 sized to receive individual light display circuit boards. Additional recesses 102 and 104 are also formed in the support 96 to receive LED circuit boards representing a decimal point and a 9/10 this symbol as is conventional with gasoline station prices. Apertures may be formed through the recesses 100, 102 and 104 or other portions of the support 96 for passage of wires between the individual displays mounted therein as well as the decimal display and 9/10 the display.
A shade means or louver assembly 104 is removably mounted to the support 96. The shade means 104 includes a plurality of laterally extending slats 106 which project generally perpendicularly outward from a frame 108. Cutouts 110 are formed in the frame 108 to enable viewing of the individual displays therethrough. The purpose of the shade means or louver assembly
104 is to provide enhanced visibility of the displays in high ambient light conditions.
The detailed construction of one of the identical displays 112 is shown in Fig. 6. Each display 112 includes a circuit board 114 on which a plurality of illumination means, preferably bright LEDs 116, are mounted in a three parallel row, seven segment display. A plurality of the LEDs 116 are grouped together, as shown in Fig. 6, to form the individual seven segments of a single display. Each digit 112 has a changeable member circuit mounted thereon. The circuit, shown in Fig. 7, which is one of nine identical circuits, includes a four bit, latching, addressable, HT-12-D decoder 120, the output of which is connected to a BCD to 7 segment 74LS47 decoder 122. Although not shown in Fig. 7, the individual outputs of the seven segment decoder 122 are input through individual power transistors such as power FETs 124, shown in Fig. 6, which drive the plurality of LEDs 116 in each display segment. Input to the four bit decoder 120 is an eight bit selectable address means 126 which may be any changeable address select form, such as wire jumpers or switches, for example. The binary address set in the address means 126 corresponds to a specific 8 bit address of one of the display digits 33 in the controller. In this manner, the sequential transmission of the nine display digits 33 on the controller 12 as described above, will cause sequential activation of the changeable number circuit associated with each of the displays 112 in a particular sign module 16, 18, or 20 only when the address of the transmitted display digit information matches one of the addresses set by the address means 126 for one of the display digits 112 in the sign module 16, 18, 20, etc.
Although not shown in Figs. 6 and 7, it will be understood that similar circuit boards are mounted in the recesses 102 and 104 in the support 96 and include a plurality of bright LEDs or other illumination means which are continually energized as long as power is supplied to the sign module 16 for illumination of a simulated decimal point and a 9/10 the symbol.
Installation of the apparatus 10 is simple and quick. The controller 12 may be physically located at any convenient location easily accessible to an operator, such as within a gas station office, etc. Fig. 8 depicts a conventional, existing sign 14 in the form of a hollow housing 130 which is provided on at least one or possibly both opposed major surfaces with one or more pairs of opposed mounting members 132 and 134 which form opposed slots configured for normally receiving printed cards containing numeric gasoline price information. As is well known, when it is necessary to change the price of a gallon of a particular grade of gas, the printed cards are replaced with new cards depicting the new price.
In the present invention, the individual sign modules 16, 18 and 20 are merely slid into the opposed pairs of slots formed by the mounting members 132 and 134 as shown in Fig. 8. Since the sign modules 16, 18 and 20 are pre-wired with the individual display digits 112, decimal point and 9/10 the indicia, all that need to be done is to mount the receiver 90 and power supply, not shown, within the sign housing 130 and to connect the output of the receiver means 90 to the individual displays 112 on each sign module 16, 18 and 20. Referring now to Fig. 9, there is depicted one embodiment of an illumination apparatus or light cluster 210 which can be used in the sign 14 or in other illumination applications. The cluster 210 is formed of a predetermined arrangement of a plurality of individual LEDs with selected color output .
The light cluster 210 is formed of inner and outer rings or groups of LEDs . The inner ring or group of LEDs in the embodiment shown in Fig. 9 is formed of at least one LED 212. It will be understood that multiple LEDs may be employed to form the inner ring or group of LEDs and arranged in a close proximity arrangement, such as a triangle, square, circle, etc.
The LED 212 is preferably a T ls/4 size LED having a luminous intensity of 650mcd or greater for use in outdoor signs, etc.
For example, the LED 212 forming the first group of LEDs of the LED cluster 210 may be of the type that emits blue light in wavelengths of between approximately 465-475nm. Alternately, the LED 212 can also be of the type that emits green or aquamarine light in wavelengths of approximately 500-520nm. Such LEDs are available from Taitron Components, Inc., as model numbers E1L53-3B or E1L53-3G, respectively.
The outer ring of the LED cluster 210 shown in Fig. 9 is also formed of a plurality of individual LEDs with three LEDs, 214, 216 and 218 being described by way of example only. The three LEDs, 214, 216 and 218 are arranged in a triangle, with each LED 214, 216 and 218 disposed in close proximity to the inner group of LEDs 212. By way of example only, the LEDs 212, 214, 216 and 218 forming the LED cluster 210 are arranged on a 0.2 inch center to center spacing and may even be touching. The close proximity arrangements enable the discrete LEDs 212, 214, 216 and 218 to be seen as a single point of light when viewed from a distance of six or more feet, for example.
Referring now to Fig. 10, the LEDs forming the outer ring or group of LEDs may be provided in a different arrangement formed of at least four LEDs, 220, 222, 224 and
226 arranged in a square or rectangular configuration in close proximity to the inner group of LEDs 212.
It will be understood that the number of LEDs in the outer ring or group of LEDs in each LED cluster 210 and 219, shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, may be increased to completely surround the inner ring or group of LEDs 212 and to expand the light producing surface area of the LED cluster 210 or 219. The LEDs 214, 216 and 218 in the LED cluster 212 as well as the LEDs 220, 222, 224 and 226 and the LED cluster 219 emit wavelengths of visible light different than the wavelengths of light emitted by the inner group of LEDs 212. By way of example only, when the inner group of LEDs 212 emits blue light, the LEDs 214, 216 and 218 in the LED cluster 210 or the LEDs 220, 222, 224, and 226 in the LED cluster 219 are selected to emit amber or yellow light in wavelengths of between 565-602nm. Such amber LEDs are sold by Leotek Electronics Corporation, model number DL- 00Y. This LED is a high power aluminum indium gallium phosphide (AlIlInGaP) .
Alternately, the LEDs 214, 216 and 218 or 220, 222, 224 and 226 forming the outer ring or group of LEDs in each LED cluster 210 or 219 may be selected to emit red light in wavelengths of approximately 645-665nm when the inner group of LEDs 212 emits green or aquamarine light.
In a preferred embodiment, the LEDs forming the inner and outer groups of each LED cluster 212 and 219 are selected to generate substantially complimentary colored light, such as blue and amber/yellow in the LED cluster 210, and green/aquamarine and red in the LED cluster 219. It is believed that the use of complimentary colors in each LED cluster 210 or 219 causes the different monochromatic light generated by the inner and outer groups of LEDs to be blended and viewed as white light by the human eye, particularly when the LED clusters 212 and 219 are viewed from a distance of 6 to 210 feet or more. Experimentation has shown that such blending of the complimentary colors produced by the inner and outer groups of LEDs in each light cluster 212 and 219 is viewed by the human eye as a single white spot when viewed from a distance of 6 to 10 feet or more. Thus, the LED clusters 212 and 219 emit visible light which is viewed by an observer as white light even though the individual wavelengths emitted by each LED are a different monochromatic color.
It is preferred that the number of LEDs in the outer ring or group to the number of LEDs in the inner ring or group be at a ratio of about 3:1 to about 4:1. It is believed that this ratio balances the linear output of the inner and outer groups of LEDs to facilitate the blending of the different wavelengths into what is viewed as a spot of white light.
The LED clusters 210 and 219 are mounted on a support, such as a printed circuit board 230. For outdoor applications which may be viewed in bright ambient sunlight, it is preferred that a white background be provided for each LED in each LED cluster 210 and 219. The white backing may be formed in various ways, such as a thin, disk-like backing member 232 which is mounted between the back of each LED 214, 216 and 218 in the LED cluster 210 and the top surface of the support or circuit board 230. The white backing members 232 may also be provided as a single large backing member or disc which has a diameter or outer edge of a sufficient diameter width so as to extend outward beyond the outer peripheries of all of the LEDs in the LED cluster 210 or 219. Alternately, the white backing may be provided by a white colored coating or layer applied to the printed circuit board 230. The white coating may be formed of white ink or white paint or the printed circuit board 230 may be formed with white pigments.
The use of a white backing 232 in any of the forms described above blocks the normal green or dark colors of the material conventionally used to form printed circuit boards as well as increasing the field of view angle of each LED cluster 210 or 219. Without the white backing member 232, the viewing angle of the LED cluster 210 or 219 is considerably narrowed such that an observer located close to the LED cluster 210 to 219, such as at a distance of 6 feet or less or at extreme side angles from a position perpendicular to the center of the LED cluster 210 or 219 would begin to see the individual monochromatic colors emitted by each LED in each LED cluster 210 or 219 and any blending of the monochromatic colors by the human eye would begin to diminish.
The LED clusters 210 and 219 described above may be employed in any device requiring illumination, such as signs having fixed alphanumeric matrices, moving message centers, etc. Fig. 11 depicts one example of an alphanumeric M X N matrix 240 which, by way of example, is formed of a five column by eight row arrangement of LED clusters 219. It will be understood that the alphanumeric matrix 240 shown in Fig. 11 may also employ the LED clusters 210 shown in Fig. 9. The matrix may also be formed with any number of rows and columns, such as the 6x8 matrix 244 shown in Fig. 14 which is formed of the LED clusters 210. Further, the LED clusters 210 and 219 may be at any spacing from adjacent LED clusters, with small spacings being more preferred.
Each LED cluster 219 or 210 is constructed as described above, such as on a single large printed circuit board 242. White backing members either of a separate form provided for each LED cluster 219 or 210 or in the form of a white coating on the printed circuit board 242 are also provided. Since the matrix 240 or 244 is viewable as a substantially single area of white light, the matrix 240 or 244 can function as a white light source for illuminating surrounding areas . It is also possible to vary the tint or hue of the white light viewed by an observer from the LED clusters 210 or 219 to provide either a blue or yellow hue or cast to the white light as may be better suited for a particular application. This is achieved by varying the drive current supplied to the LEDs in each LED cluster 210 or 219. A higher than nominal operating current supplied to the LEDs in the LED clusters 210 or 219 will provide a slight bluish hue to the white light observed by an observer due to the increased brightness of the inner blue light emitting LED 212. Conversely, a slightly less than normal operating current supplied to the LED clusters 210 or 219 will cause the white light observed by an observer to have a slight yellowish hue or cast, since the yellow light emitting LEDs 214, 216 and 218 in the outer ring are now brighter than the inner ring LED 212.
For indoor or low ambient light applications where bright sunlight is not a factor, lower luminous efficiency LEDs 212, 214, 216, etc., can be used in the LED clusters 210 and 219. For example, LEDs with light luminous values as low as 2100mcd may be used. In these applications, it is preferred that the white backing members 232 or white coating be removed for better contrast between the light emitted by the LEDs and the dark printed circuit board 230. In summary, the present invention comprises a white light illuminating apparatus which is formed by LEDs generating different monochromatic wavelengths or colors of light. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of LEDs are mounted on a support in a closely arranged group formed of an inner group of LEDs and an outer group of LEDs closely adjacent to the inner group which are viewable as a single light from a distance. The inner group of LEDs comprises at least one LED selected from the group consisting of LEDs emitting light in wavelengths of between approximately 460 nm to approximately 520 nm. The outer group of LEDs comprises a plurality of LEDs selected from a group of LEDs which emit light in wavelengths of between approximately 565 nm to approximately 665 nm.
A white backing is provided behind each LED or LED cluster to block any colored light reflected off of the typically dark colored printed circuit board. The white backing member may be in the form of individual white colored discs mounted between each LED cluster and the printed circuit board, a single, large, white colored backing member of a size larger than the outer periphery of the entire LED cluster, or a white coating applied to the printed circuit board.
In one embodiment , the inner group of LEDs in each LED cluster emits blue light in wavelengths of approximately 460-490nm. The outer group of LEDs is formed of three LEDs arranged in a triangle, with each LED in the outer ring disposed in close proximity to the inner group of LEDs and emits amber or yellow light in wavelengths of approximately 565-602nm.
In another embodiment, the inner LED emits green or aquamarine light in wavelengths of approximately 500- 520nm. The LEDs in the outer ring emit red light in wavelengths of approximately 645-665 nm.
In another embodiment, the inner group of LEDs comprise a single LED emitting visible light in the wavelength described in the embodiments described above. The outer ring of LEDs is arranged as a square or rectangle with an LED disposed at each of the four corners of the square in close proximity to the inner LED and producing visible light in the wavelength described above. In yet another embodiment, a plurality of LED clusters 210 or 219 constructed as described above, are grouped together in numbers of three to six LED or more clusters on a single support or printed circuit board. The individual cluster 210 and 219 may be closely packed together so as to create a single, large spot of light when viewed from a distance. Further, other configurations for the LED clusters may be employed as long as one inner group of LEDs is surrounded by an outer group of LEDs in the rations described above. The support or printed circuit board is mounted in a conventional screw-in lamp base and surrounded by an optional outer cap or bulb or having the leads covered by epoxy. This embodiment enables the inventive LED clusters to be employed in retrofit applications in signs and other applications which currently use screw-in light bulbs.
The matrices 240 and 244 may be employed for each of the digits 16, 18 and 20 in the sign 14 shown in Fig. 1. In such an arrangement, the individual clusters 210 and 219 may be coupled in groups, similar to that described above and shown in Fig. 6, to provide the alphanumeric bar segments necessary to visually illuminate any desired letter or number on the housing 16.
Further, the individual LED clusters 210 or 219 may replace any one or a number of the LEDs 116 in the display segment 112 shown in Fig. 6 to produce a white display rather than the colored light display described above for Fig. 6. In this configuration, each LED cluster 210 or 219 will be provided with an appropriate current driver as described above .
Further, it is also possible to form one large recess in the sign module 16, 18 or 20 for an elongated M x N matrix of LED clusters 210 or 219 to enable all of the individual digits necessary for the required display to be provided in a single matrix display.
Thus, there has been disclosed several embodiments of the present invention, one of which comprises a sign having changeable characters in which the alphanumeric characters can be changed without the need for hard wire conductors between a remote located controller in the sign. Further, the controller provides a preview for display of the selected character for each digit of the sign prior to changing the character on the sign so as to confirm the correct display. The present sign can be retrofit into an existing sign without requiring extensive modifications to the existing sign.
The unique white light emitting diode clusters uniquely overcomes the deficiency of utilizing the less visible monochromatic, colored light emitting diodes in large scale signs by grouping the monochromatic, colored light emitting diodes in an arrangement which is viewed from a distance as points of white light. This provides greater viewability for the sign, particularly when the sign is a gas station sign or the like where the sign is located a considerable elevation above the ground.

Claims

What is Claimed is: 1. A remote changeable sign apparatus comprising: a module including at least one alphanumeric display means for displaying at least one alphanumeric character; control means, remote from the module, for selecting alphanumeric information for display on the module; and radio frequency communication means, coupled to the module and the control means, for communicating the selected alphanumeric information from the control means to the display means in the module.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the display means includes means for displaying a plurality of alphanumeric characters .
3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of modules, each with at least one display means, each of the plurality of modules independently receiving selected alphanumeric information from the control means .
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each module includes : means for mounting each module in a sign having a pair of opposed mounting members defining a slot therebetween.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein: each module includes a planar sheet having an opposed pair of edges mountable in the pair of opposed mounting members.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein each module includes at least one rib enabling separation of a portion of the sheet to enable the sheet to fit within the mounting members .
7. The apparatus of claim 5 further wherein each module further comprises : at least one receptacle in each sheet for receiving one display means therein.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the at least one receptacle is disposed at an acute angle with respect to the sheet to dispose the display means at an acute angle from vertical when the display means and the module are mounted in a sign.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein each module further comprises : a plurality of spaced louvers extending from the sheet and overlaying the display means .
10. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a plurality of spaced louvers extending from the sheet and overlaying the display means.
11. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein each module further comprises : a plurality of spaced louvers extending from the sheet and overlaying the display means.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein control means includes means for displaying the selected alphanumeric information on the control means.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising: means for selecting alphanumeric character information for displaying the display means, the selecting means generating sequential alphanumeric characters.
14. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the display means comprises : a seven segment alphanumeric character display, each segment formed of a plurality of light emitting diodes.
15. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a plurality of display means mounted in each module; the control means including means for independently selecting individual alphanumeric character information for each of the plurality of display means.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising: address means, coupled to the display means and the control means, for enabling each means for selecting alphanumeric character information on the control means to communicate only with one corresponding display means.
17. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: means for displaying selected alphanumeric character information on the control means; and means for communicating the alphanumeric character information on the control means to the display means in the module .
18. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the display means comprises: a plurality of clusters of light emitting diodes; and each cluster of light emitting diodes formed of inner and outer groups of non-white light emitting diodes arranged in close proximity to be viewed from a distance as a single point of white light.
19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein: each light emitting diode in each inner group of light emitting diodes is selected to emit light which is substantially complimentary to the color of light emitted by the light emitting diodes in each outer group of light emitting diodes.
20. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein: each light emitting diode in the inner group of light emitting diodes is selected from a group of light emitting diodes emitting light in wavelengths of one of about 455 to about 475nm and about 500 to about 520nm; and each light emitting diode in each outer group of light emitting diodes is selected to emit light in wavelengths of one of about 565 to about 602nm and about 645 to about 665nm.
21. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein: each light emitting diode in each inner group of light emitting diodes emits blue light; and each light emitting diode in each outer group of light emitting diodes emits amber/yellow light.
22. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein: each light emitting diode in each inner group of light emitting diodes emits aquamarine light; and each light emitting diode in each outer group of light emitting diodes in each light emitting diode cluster emits red light.
23. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein: each inner group of light emitting diodes in each light emitting diode cluster is formed of at least one light emitting diode; and each outer group of light emitting diodes in each light emitting diode cluster is formed of at least three light emitting diodes.
24. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein: the light emitting diodes in each outer group of light emitting diodes are circumferentially spaced about the inner group of light emitting diodes.
25. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein: the ratio of light emitting diodes in each outer group of light emitting diodes to the number of light emitting diodes in each inner group of light emitting diodes is about 3:1 to about 4:1.
26. The apparatus of claim 18 further comprising: means for forming a white background for each light emitting diode in each light emitting diode cluster.
27. An illumination apparatus comprising: at least one cluster of light emitting diodes; and the at least one cluster of light emitting diodes formed of inner and outer groups of non-white light emitting diodes arranged in close proximity to be viewed from a distance as a single point of white light.
28. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein: each light emitting diode in each inner group of light emitting diodes is selected to emit light which is substantially complimentary to the color of light emitted by the light emitting diodes in each outer group of light emitting diodes .
29. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein: the light emitting diodes forming each inner group of light emitting diodes are selected from light emitting diodes which emit one of blue and aquamarine light.
30. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein: the light emitting diodes in each inner group of light emitting diodes are formed of light emitting diodes which emit light in wavelengths of about 455 to about 520nm.
31. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein: each light emitting diode in the inner group of light emitting diodes is selected from a group of light emitting diodes emitting light in wavelengths of one of about 455 to about 475nm and about 500 to about 520nm; and each light emitting diode in each outer group of light emitting diodes is selected to emit light in wavelengths of one of about 565 to about 602nm and about 645 to about 665nm.
32. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein: the light emitting diodes in each outer group of light emitting diodes are selected from light emitting diodes which emit one of amber/yellow and red light.
33. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein: the light emitting diodes in each outer group of light emitting diodes are formed of light emitting diodes which emit light in wavelengths from about 520 to about 665nm.
34. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein: the light emitting diodes in each outer group of light emitting diodes are selected from light emitting diodes which emit light in wavelengths of one of about 565 to about 602nm and about 645 to about 665nm.
35. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein: each light emitting diode in each inner group of light emitting diodes emits blue light; and each light emitting diode in each outer group of light emitting diodes emits amber/yellow light.
36. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein: each light emitting diode in each inner group of light emitting diodes emit light in wavelengths of about 465 to about 475nm; and each light emitting diode in each outer group of light emitting diodes emits lights in wavelengths of about 565 to about 602nm.
37. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein: each light emitting diode in each inner group of light emitting diodes emits aquamarine light; and each light emitting diode in each outer group of light emitting diodes in each light emitting diode cluster emits red light.
38. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein: each light emitting diode in the inner group of light emitting diodes of each light emitting diode cluster emit light in wavelengths of about 500 to about 520nm; and each light emitting diode in each outer group of light emitting diodes emits lights in wavelengths of about 645 to about 665nm.
39. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein: each inner group of light emitting diodes in each light emitting diode cluster is formed of at least one light emitting diode; and each outer group of light emitting diodes in each light emitting diode cluster is formed of at least three light emitting diodes.
40. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein: the light emitting diodes in each outer group of light emitting diodes are circumferentially spaced about the inner group of light emitting diodes.
41. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein: the ratio of light emitting diodes in each outer group of light emitting diodes to the number of light emitting diodes in each inner group of light emitting diodes is about 3:1 to about 4:1.
42. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein: means for forming a white background for each light emitting diode in each cluster.
43. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein the means for forming the white background comprises : a white colored disc mounted on a substrate carrying each light emitting diode, the white colored disc disposed between each light emitting diode and the substrate.
44. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein the means for forming the white background comprises : at least one white member disposed between all of the light emitting diodes and a substrate carrying the light emitting diodes.
45. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein the means for forming the white background comprises : a white colored coating applied to a substrate carrying the light emitting diodes.
46. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein the means for forming the white background comprises : white pigments formed in a substrate carrying the light emitting diodes.
47. The apparatus of claim 27 further comprising: means for changing the hue of each light emitting diode in at least one cluster.
48. The apparatus of claim 47 wherein the means for changing the hue comprises: means for changing the drive current to each light emitting diode from a nominal drive current.
49. The apparatus of claim 48 wherein: the means for changing the drive current supplies a less than nominal drive current to each light emitting diode to cause the each cluster to be viewed from a distance as a single point of white light having a yellowish hue.
50. The apparatus of claim 48 wherein: the means for changing the drive current supplies higher than the nominal drive current to each light emitting diode to cause the each cluster to be viewed from a distance as a single point of white light having a bluish hue .
51. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein: each light emitting diode cluster is viewable as a single point of white light from a distance greater than six feet from the light emitting diode cluster and substantially centered on the light emitting diode cluster.
52. The apparatus of claim 27 further comprising: a plurality of light emitting diode clusters arranged in an alphanumeric matrix pm a substrate .
53. The apparatus of claim 27 further comprising: a the plurality of light emitting diode clusters arranged in close proximity to act as a large single light source .
54. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein: the light emitting diodes forming the inner and outer groups of light emitting diodes in each light emitting diode cluster have greater than 650mcd lumen intensity.
55. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein: the light emitting diodes forming the inner and outer groups of light emitting diodes in each light emitting diode cluster have greater than 2100mcd lumen intensity.
PCT/US1998/025299 1997-11-25 1998-11-25 Illuminatable apparatus WO1999027518A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU16094/99A AU1609499A (en) 1997-11-25 1998-11-25 Illuminatable apparatus

Applications Claiming Priority (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US6694497P 1997-11-25 1997-11-25
US60/066,944 1997-11-25
US7313298P 1998-01-30 1998-01-30
US60/073,132 1998-01-30
US9147998P 1998-07-02 1998-07-02
US60/091,479 1998-07-02

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US5184114A (en) * 1982-11-04 1993-02-02 Integrated Systems Engineering, Inc. Solid state color display system and light emitting diode pixels therefor
US5003298A (en) * 1986-01-15 1991-03-26 Karel Havel Variable color digital display for emphasizing position of decimal point
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