WO2010076456A1

WO2010076456A1 - Communication panel, in particular for a sports field

Info

Publication number: WO2010076456A1
Application number: PCT/FR2009/052482
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alberto Ramon
Original assignee: Citiled
Priority date: 2008-12-15
Filing date: 2009-12-10
Publication date: 2010-07-08
Also published as: FR2939949B1; AR074753A1; FR2939949A1; EP2377113A1; UY32328A

Abstract

The invention relates to a communication panel (10), in particular for a stadium, including: at least one area (12) of a first type, comprising light elements adapted for displaying a message with a first resolution; and at least a second area (14) of a second type, comprising light elements adapted for displaying a message with a second resolution different from the first resolution.

Description

Communication sign, especially for sports field

The invention relates to communication panels such as banners or panels visible at the edge of sports fields. It is known to provide in a sports field, for example a football field, banners presenting advertising messages. These banners are positioned on the edge of the field or in the stands for example. These banners or panels can be of different types. There are thus panels comprising a metal support, such as a sheet, on which messages are painted or printed. When the sporting event is retransmitted or recorded by a television camera, the commercial messages thus presented are visible in the background. The message being painted or printed on the media, it has a good display quality. It can be easily read by a viewer on the television screen, whether the panel appears during a long shot of the camera or a short shot. However, this type of panel has the disadvantage that the messages being fixed, the number of messages visible by the viewer is reduced. Moreover, being immobile, they attract little eye of the viewer.

Panels are also known in which the advertising messages are displayed by a flexible support that wraps inside a box. The media can scroll on the panel to change the advertising message. As previously in the case of the fixed panel, the display quality is good. The message can easily be played on long and short camera shots. Thanks to the fact that the message can be modified during the retransmission, the number of messages thus made visible is higher. However, it is limited by the possibilities of the winding system of the panel. And here again, the messages being fixed most of the time, they attract relatively little attention of the televiewer.

Finally, panels are known comprising luminous elements forming a graphic zone on the entire surface of the panel. This zone is used to display several messages successively or messages in movement, all thanks to the command of the panel by means of a computer via specific software. The number of diffusable messages is unlimited. In addition, such light messages are more easily perceptible by the viewer. And thanks to their animated aspect, these messages attract more the attention of the televiewers. However, these panels, when filmed by a television camera, can generate a moire effect, especially when the camera plane is a short shot. This effect results from the superposition of two frames, namely on the one hand the frame of the light elements which are as many pixels forming the message, and on the other hand the frame specific to the television signal. This moire effect affects the readability of the message on the television screen, especially during short shots. An object of the invention is to provide a panel that captures the attention and can be more perceived in all circumstances.

For this purpose, according to the invention, a communication panel is provided, in particular for a stage, the panel comprising:

at least one zone of a first type, comprising luminous elements capable of displaying a message with a first resolution; and

at least one zone of a second type, comprising luminous elements capable of displaying a message with a second resolution different from the first resolution.

Thus, when the panel is seen on a television, if the moiré effect occurs, it will occur only with one of the two types of zones since they have different resolutions. Indeed, the moiré effect results from the coincidence of the dimensions of the frames of one of the light element areas of the panel and the television signal. This coincidence can only occur with one of two types of zones at a time. The message displayed on the other type of zone therefore remains perfectly visible on the screen even during a short shot.

Advantageously, the second resolution is greater than the first resolution and the or each zone of the second type has an area smaller than the area of the or each zone of the first type.

Thus, a relatively small dimension is given to the area of high resolution, knowing that its cost per unit area is higher than that of the other area. We therefore keep the cost price of the panel to a reasonable level.

Preferably, in each zone, the light elements are arranged in a square mesh configuration, the mesh of the or each zone of the first type having a side greater than 12 millimeters, or even greater than 25 millimeters, the mesh of the or each zone of the second type having a side less than 8 millimeters, or even less than 6 millimeters.

Advantageously, the panel comprises at least one zone of a third type comprising a communication medium and able to display a message fixed on the support. The invention also provides a communication panel, particularly for a stage, the panel comprising: at least one zone of a first type comprising luminous elements capable of displaying a message; and

at least one zone of a second type comprising a communication medium and able to display a message fixed on the medium. Thus, the message fixed on the support, which will be for example painted or printed, enjoys in all circumstances a very good visibility on the television screen. If therefore a moiré effect occurs on the television screen in relation to the light element area, it remains a readable message on the communication medium.

In fact, we can assimilate the area presenting the message attached to the support to a zone with very high resolution, or even infinite resolution. To this extent, it is clear that it is the same general concept found in both inventions. This involves providing a panel having at least one zone of a first type comprising luminous elements capable of displaying a message, and at least one zone of a second type able to display a message with a second resolution different from that of the zone of the first type, this second resolution being infinite.

In both cases, the part of the light element panel or one of the parts of the luminous element panel catches the attention of the viewer, and all the more so that these luminous elements display a message changing or scrolling. And if a moiré effect occurs with these light elements, the other part of the panel remains perfectly legible in all circumstances, even in short shots.

Advantageously, the communication medium is rigidly fixed to the panel. Preferably, the communication medium is movably mounted on the panel, for example to be able to scroll on the panel.

In particular, it can be provided that the support is arranged to move without ever covering a portion of the zone of the first type. Thus, the latter is always visible in full, regardless of the movement and position of the support.

The two zones thus remain permanently disjoint and without recovery, even partial.

Advantageously, the support has a non-planar convex profile, for example a curve.

Thus, without changing the dimensions of the panel, one can present a message of larger dimensions.

Preferably, the panel is able to display a variable message in at least one of the zones. -AT-

Also provided according to the invention a communication system which comprises at least one panel according to the invention and means for controlling the or each panel.

The system may include a plurality of panels extending in continuity from one another, following each other. We can thus display large messages.

There is also provided according to the invention a stage comprising at least one panel or system according to the invention.

Still provided according to the invention a communication method, especially in a stadium, wherein:

displaying a message with a first resolution in at least one zone of a first type of a panel by means of luminous elements; and

a message is displayed with a second resolution different from the first resolution in at least one zone of a second type of the panel, by means of luminous elements.

Finally, the invention provides a communication method in a stadium, in which:

displaying a message in at least one zone of a first type of a panel, by means of luminous elements, and displaying a message fixed on a support of the panel in at least one zone of a second type.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the following description of several embodiments given as non-limiting examples with reference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stadium equipped with panels according to the invention;

- Figure 2 illustrates in side view and in elevation a panel according to a first embodiment of the invention; FIG. 3 is a view on a larger scale of the detail D of the panel of FIG. 2;

- Figures 4 and 5 are views similar to Figure 2 illustrating two other embodiments of the panel; and

- Figures 6 and 7 illustrate in elevation two other embodiments of the panel. FIG. 1 illustrates a sports facility 2 that in this case constitutes a stadium. The stadium has a terrain 4 for the practice of a sport, including goals for example 6. This is for example a football stadium. The stadium includes one or more stands 8 provided near the ground 4 to allow spectators to follow a sporting event. Stage 2 comprises communication panels, in this case advertising panels 10. The panels are arranged in this example along an edge of the ground 4 forming a row of panels aligned in the extension of each other. Of course, if we have illustrated for simplicity a single platform 8 and a single row of panels 10 along an edge of the ground 4, we can provide platforms and panels on several sides of the ground, or on all its sides.

We will now present embodiments of the panels 10.

In the first embodiment illustrated in Figure 2, the panel 10 has a general shape of rectangular parallelepiped. The largest dimension of the panel is its length in the horizontal direction. Its thickness extends in the horizontal direction.

The panel comprises a first zone 12 of a first type and a second zone 14 of a second type. The zones 12 and 14 each have a rectangular shape and have the same length. They occupy all the flat front face 15 of the panel, visible on the elevational view of FIG. 2, which is the face facing the ground, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The zone 14 extends above the zone 12 in this example.

In this embodiment, each of the two zones 12 and 14 comprises light elements formed in this case by light-emitting diodes or LEDs.

In each zone, the luminous elements 16 are arranged aligned in rows and columns, thus forming a regular network with rectangular mesh, here square, 17, 19, as shown in FIG. 3. Each zone is therefore formed by the reproduction this mesh several times in height and width. Each of these areas forms a matrix display screen for a message, for example an advertisement message. The message may include text, an image, a photograph, a drawing, a logo, etc. It can be presented in a fixed or scrolling manner in a direction parallel to the length or height of the panel. The messages may succeed each other on zones 12 and 14. In this example, each of the two zones 12 and 14 is therefore a variable message zone. The message 11 "LED" is thus illustrated in zone 14 in FIG. The display of the message is controlled by a control device 20 illustrated schematically in FIG. 1. This device comprises in particular a computer comprising a program adapted for controlling the panels for the display of messages. In the zone 12, the mesh 17 has a side of length 11 greater than

12 millimeters, or even greater than 25 millimeters and for example equal to 28 millimeters. The side of the mesh is defined as the distance separating the axes of two closest luminous elements 16. In zone 14, the side of the mesh 19 has a length 12 of less than 8 millimeters and preferably less than 6 millimeters, for example equal to 4 millimeters. The pixel array formed by the light elements is therefore less dense in the zone 12 than in the zone 14. It follows that the resolution of the image is greater in the zone 14 than in the zone 12.

Zone 14 occupies an area on the face of the panel smaller than the area occupied by zone 12. Thus, in the present example, each of the two zones extends over the entire length of the panel but the lower zone 12 extends from its lower edge to about two-thirds of the height of the panel. The upper zone 14 occupies the last upper third of the panel.

In this case, the height of the lower zone 12 is 600 millimeters and that of the upper zone 14 of 300 millimeters. The length of the panel is 2 to 3 meters.

In the embodiment of Figure 4, the panel 10 comprises a lower zone 12 of the first type, identical to that of the panel of Figure 2. In this embodiment, the zone 14 is this time replaced by an upper zone 22 of the same dimensions. This is an area comprising a communication medium 26 on which is fixed a message 24. The displayed message is "ROTARY". The message 24 is for example painted or printed on the support 26. This support is a flexible support mounted movable relative to the body of the panel 10. The panel comprises rotating means 30 for the winding of the support 26, to scroll the message or replace it.

The movement of the support takes place in the zone 22 which is fixed, extends out of the lower zone 12 and remains disjoint from the latter. The mobile support never comes to cover all or part of the lower zone which remains always fully visible. In this example, it is therefore only the lower zone 12 which comprises a matrix network of light elements. The two areas 12, 22 are variable message areas. The message 24 fixed to the support 26 has a very high resolution, which is much higher than that offered by the diode array of the zone 12.

In the present example, the upper portion 32 of the front face 15 of the panel forming the upper zone 22 has, in side view, a non-planar convex shape which is in this case curved. This portion 32 extends in the continuity of the lower portion of the front face forming the zone 12 and which is flat. It also joins the rear face 33 of the panel at the top of it. This vertex is formed by an edge and not by an upper face as in the first embodiment. This configuration provides a larger area for displaying the message 24 by means of the medium 26 without increasing the height of the panel which remains the same as in the first embodiment.

In the third embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the lower zone 12 remains unchanged again and identical to that of the panel of the first mode. Zone 14 is this time replaced by a fixed message upper zone comprising a support 36 on which is attached a message 38, here "FIXED". The support 36 is rigidly fixed to the body of the panel 10 and is stationary. So it's only the area

12 which is variable message. The upper zone 34 nevertheless enjoys a very good resolution, much higher than that of the lower zone 12.

In the fourth embodiment of the panel illustrated in Figure 6, the panel 10 comprises a plurality of zones 12 of the first type, here three in number, following the panel at the bottom of the latter, and occupying two-thirds of its height. These are variable message matrix areas, comprising light elements and offering a low resolution as in the first embodiment. They display together here and in cooperation the message "LED LOW RESOLUTION" 3. In the upper part, the panel comprises a central upper zone 22 scrolling message or 34 fixed message. The message displayed here is

"FIXED OR DEFINING". The panel comprises on both sides of this zone two zones with high resolution light elements, similar to the zone 14 of the first embodiment. They each display "HIGH RESOLUTION LED". The three zones 14, 22 or 34, and 14 follow along the panel and extend above the respective lower three zones 12. So here are five zones of the panel which include light elements. Only the central upper zone 22, 34 comprises a message support fixed to the support. It is possible to scroll a message on the lower zones 12 following. These three zones can nevertheless display different messages from each other simultaneously.

Finally, the fifth and last embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7 is very close to that of FIG. 6. It differs only in that zones 12 with light elements and at low resolution occupy this time the upper part. of the panel on two thirds of its height. The zones 14, 22, 34 and 14 are this time in the lower part of the panel.

In each of these embodiments, the panels 10 form modules and are provided with fixing means 40 for fixing the panels to each other removably by their small vertical lateral sides. This attachment allows to arrange the panels in the extension of each other, in continuity with each other, in a line as long as desired. The front faces 15 of the panels therefore extend in continuity from each other, allowing messages to be scrolled over a very great length, as illustrated for example in Figure 1 with the message "ADVERTISEMENT HERE". The invention limits the total height of the panel to not obstruct the vision of people at the back of the panel, especially in the first rows of seats of the stands.

It can be provided that one of the areas of the panel, for example the upper area 34 in FIG. 5, comprises a translucent support, the panel being provided with a backlighting device for illuminating the panel on the side opposite to the one visible to the viewer, the message being fixed on the support and backlit.

The invention allows the display of animated images, graphics or video. It can be provided that the two zones of the same panel, when they are both variable message, are controlled so as to display the two parts of the same message or messages coordinated visually.

The invention is also applicable to messages other than advertising messages. It may be for example to display information messages or alert messages.

The panel may use SMD (surface mount device) type diodes or True HoIe type diodes, round or oval. The stage of the invention may be a land activity stage or a nautical stadium. It can be a swimming pool or an ice rink. The invention is applicable to panels or banners of stadiums and sports fields but is not restricted to this application. Thus the panel of the invention can be arranged in a public place such as a railway station or a theater.

Although the invention is particularly advantageous when television cameras or video cameras are used, it can be implemented in the absence of a camera. Indeed, the panels also have a local communication function, for those present in the stadium or in its vicinity. Of course, we can bring to the invention many changes without departing from the scope thereof.

It can be expected that the areas of the panel that has the highest resolution is also the one with the largest area.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 6 and 7, it will be possible for the arrangements presented to comprise not a panel but a series of three panels fixed to each other and following one another.

It can be provided that the panel comprises three types of zones, for example zones 12 and 14 with luminous elements as in FIG. 2, and a third message zone fixed on a support.

Claims

1. Communication panel (10), especially for a stage (2), characterized in that it comprises: - at least one zone (12) of a first type, comprising light elements

(16) able to display a message with a first resolution; and

at least one zone (14) of a second type, comprising luminous elements (16) able to display a message with a second resolution different from the first resolution.

2. Panel according to the preceding claim wherein the second resolution is greater than the first resolution and the or each zone (14) of the second type has an area less than the area of the or each zone (12) of the first type.

3. Panel according to any one of the preceding claims wherein in each zone (12, 14), the light elements (16) are arranged in a square mesh configuration, the mesh (17) of the or each zone (12). ) of the first type having a side greater than 12 millimeters, or even greater than 25 millimeters, the mesh (19) of the or each zone (14) of the second type having a side less than 8 millimeters, or even less than 6 millimeters.

4. Communication panel (10), in particular for a stage (2), characterized in that it comprises:

at least one zone (12) of a first type comprising luminous elements (16) able to display a message; and

- At least one zone (22; 34) of a second type comprising a communication medium (26, 36) and adapted to display a message (24; 38) fixed on the support.

5. Panel according to the preceding claim wherein the communication medium (38) is rigidly fixed to the panel.

6. Panel according to claim 4 wherein the communication medium (26) is mounted movably on the panel, for example to scroll on the panel.

7. Panel according to any one of claims 4 to 6 wherein the carrier (26) has a non-planar convex profile, for example curved.

8. Panel according to any one of the preceding claims, adapted to display a variable message in at least one of the zones.

9. Communication system, characterized in that it comprises at least one panel (10) according to any one of the preceding claims and means

(20) for controlling the or each panel.

10. Stage (2) characterized in that it comprises at least one panel (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 or at least one system according to the preceding claim.

11. Communication method, especially in a stadium, characterized in that:

displaying a message with a first resolution in at least one zone (12) of a first type of a panel (10) by means of luminous elements; and

a message is displayed with a second resolution different from the first resolution in at least one zone of a second type of the panel (10), by means of luminous elements.

12. A method of communication in a stadium, characterized in that:

a message is displayed in at least one zone (12) of a first type of a panel (10), by means of light elements (16), and

displaying a message (24; 38) fixed on a support of the panel (10) in at least one zone (22; 34) of a second type.