WO2014075647A1

WO2014075647A1 - Segment shaped digital imaging surface configured as a digital wall cover

Info

Publication number: WO2014075647A1
Application number: PCT/CZ2013/000112
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tomas KIMMER
Original assignee: Esofia S.R.O.
Priority date: 2012-11-14
Filing date: 2013-09-20
Publication date: 2014-05-22
Also published as: CZ25154U1; ES2600158T3; PL2754146T3; EP2754146A1; EP2754146B1

Abstract

Segment shaped digital imaging surface configured as a digital wall cover consisting of the mutual interconnected imaging modules, preferably in the polygonal shape, where the segment shaped digital imaging surface further consisting of a support net (3) formed by mutually connected eyes (6), into which the rear parts (5) of the imaging modules (2) are inserted, where the front part (4) of the imaging modules (2) is provided by imaging surface, whereas the front part (4) of the imaging module (2) has larger surface than the rear part (5) of the imaging module (2).

Description

Segment shaped digital imaging surface configured as a digital wall cover Background of the invention

[0001]The invention relates to a segment shaped digital imaging surface configured as a digital wall cover intended to form big screen projections in interiors and exteriors. The invention also relates both to an arrangement of single parts, which compose the digital wall cover, and to its mutual fastening.

State of the art

[0002] The advent of new technologies in recent years has brought about several significant developments in the field of TV or other imaging systems. Developments in the field of plasma technology or in the field of LED technology enables the flattening of imaging devices and increasing the imaging surface. Production of a uni-screen imaging surface, with a diagonal in a range of several meters, is technologically complicated and costly. Another disadvantage of such products is the impossibility of exchanging damaged parts. Because of that, state of the art imaging devices are produced by the multiplication of imaging modules, which form a single imaging surface.

[0003] In JP 7005495 a big screen imaging panel, made by ECD components, is presented. The ECD components are created by hermetic sealing of ECD elements and electrodes into a unitary block. The elements have a periodical hexagonal honey-comb shaped and all of those elements at once form a large single panel. Mutual interconnection is difficult, hard to set and does not enable later disconnection and exchanging of damaged parts.

[0004] In WO 2012/057734 the A1 wall on a support system with touch screens connected to each other is presented. The video wall contains plurality of touch screens, which are fixed to each other and also to a support frame. The screens are arranged in parallel lines and on top of themselves. In the case of failure of one of the elements, the whole screen is necessary to takeout from the support frame.

[0005] In EP 2 150 044 an extendable screen is presented, which is made of mutually interconnected rectangular constructional units of a cubical shape. One side of the cubical units is provided by a screen. Each of those constructional units is connected to another constructional unit by holders. The individual imaging units are bulky and expensive to produce.

[0006]The aim of this invention is to present an imaging device made from mutually interconnected imaging modules, which are easy to compile, which are easy to take apart and which is able to form an imaging surface of whatever shape and size is chosen.

Features of the invention

[0007] The disadvantages of the existing technologies mentioned above are eliminated by the segment shaped digital imaging surface performed as a digital wall cover. This digital wall cover consists of mutual interconnected imaging modules, preferably in a polygonal shape, where the segment shaped digital imaging surface consists of a support net formed by mutually connected eyes, into which the rear parts of the imaging modules are inserted, and where the front part of the imaging modules is provided by the imaging surface, where the front part of the imaging module has larger surface than the rear part of the imaging module.

[0008] In an advantageous embodiment the front part of the imaging module and the rear part of the imaging module has a different shape.

[0009] In another advantageous embodiment the mutual ratio of the surfaces of the front part and the rear part of the imaging module is in ration 2:1.

[0010] In another advantageous embodiment the imaging module is made as touch- screens.

[0011] In another advantageous embodiment the net is made from plastic.

[0012] In another advantageous embodiment the shape and size of the eyes of the net is equivalent to the shape and the size of the rear part of the imaging module.

[0013] In another advantageous embodiment the interconnection of neighbouring imaging modules is effected by pins and sockets. In another advantageous embodiment at least one of the imagine modules is constructed as a control unit.

[0014] In another advantageous embodiment the control unit is equipped with a USB port and/or by image input and/or by connector for connection to external devices.

[0015] In another advantageous embodiment the imaging modules, respectively the front part of the imaging modules and/or the rear part of the imaging modules, are in a hexagonal shape. Description of the drawings

[0016]The invention will be further explained by use of the drawings, where Fig. 1 presents a schematic front view of the segment shaped digital imaging surface performed as a digital wall cover according to the invention, consisting of mutually interconnected imaging modules.

[0017] Fig. 2 presents a support net of the segment shaped digital imaging surface shown in Fig. 1.

[0018] Fig. 3 presents a view of the rear part of the segment shaped digital imaging surface.

[0019] Fig. 4 presents a view of the upper side of the segment shaped digital imaging surface shown in Fig. 3,

[0020] Fig. 5 presents a method for mounting the segment shaped digital imaging surface to a support wall.

Preferred embodiments of the invention

[0021] Fig. 1 presents a schematic of the front view of the segment shaped digital imaging surface 1. Obviously, the segment shaped digital imaging surface 1 consists of imaging modules 2, which are mutually interconnected to each other and arranged on a support net 3, see Fig. 3, into which the imaging modules 2 are inserted by their rear part 5.

[0022] In the preferred embodiment shown in detail in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 the imaging modules 2 with a hexagonal shape are presented. The imaging modules 2 could also be of another shape, for example as a square or rectangle. The front part 4 of the imaging module 2 has a larger surface than the rear part 5 of the imaging module 2. In the present embodiment the mutual ratio of the surfaces of those parts 4 and 5 is in ratio 2:1. The shape of the front part 4 and shape of the rear part 5 need not be the same. The peripheral imaging modules 2 can be modified to create a straight side to the segment shaped digital imaging surface 1. The imaging modules 2 can be made as touch-screens to enable touch-control operation of the projections presented on them.

[0023] The support net 3, illustrated in Fig. 2, is formed by mutually connected eyes 6, into which the rear parts 5 of the imaging modules 2 are inserted. Advantageously, the net 3 can be made from plastics or metal or from another material. The eyes 6 of the net 3 can be provided in various shapes and sizes, however the shapes and sizes have to be consistent with the shapes and the sizes of the rear parts 5 of the imaging modules 2. Fig. 5 presents the net 3 fixed to the bearing wall 7 by screws 8. Also other fixing items are possible. It depends on the material of the bearing wall 7. The thickness of the support net 3 is slightly greater than the thickness of the rear part 5 of the imaging modules 2 so that, in the case of the tight alignment of the support net 3 on a pad, in this case on the bearing wall 7, the rear part 5 of the imaging module 2 does not touch the pad.

[0024] Data transmission among the neighbouring imaging modules 2 is effected by connectors. In the present embodiment, the connectors are represented by "male" pin 9 endings, and by "female" sockets 10. The connectors are advantageously positioned on the circumference of the front part 4 of the imaging module 2 whereby, advantageously, three neighbouring pins 9 are arranged next to three neighbouring sockets 10. This connector arrangement simplifies the mounting of the segment shaped digital imaging surfaces 1 , where firstly the pins 9 of the single imaging modules 2 are put into the socket 10 of the neighbour imaging module 2, which is based in the support net 3. Consequently, the rear part 5 of the inserting imaging module 2 is pushed into the eye 6 of the support net 3. By this way the whole segment shaped digital imaging surface 1 is mounted in direction from one side of the support net 3. The imaging modules 2 are tightly aligned to each other. The pins 9 and the sockets 10 are not visible from the front view onto the segment shaped digital imaging surface 1.

[0025]An adjacent edge of two neighbouring modules 2 is arranged above the centre of the eye 6 of the support net 3, see Fig. 1. The connectors can be also used as a fixation member.

[0026]The creation of a picture presented on the imaging modules 2 is controlled by a control unit 1 , which can be seen in Fig. 1. Advantageously, the control unit 11 has the same size, the same shape and the same construction as the imaging modules 2. It is advantageous if the control unit 1 is placed into one of the eyes 6 of the support net 3, in the corner of the segment shaped digital imaging surface 1. The control unit 1 1 ensures the power supply to the whole segment shaped digital imaging surface 1 and distribution of a picture to each imaging module 2 by mentioned connectors. After turning on the segment shaped digital imaging surface 1 , the control unit 11 recognises the size of the whole composed segment shaped digital imaging surface 1, i.e. number of the imaging modules 2 in each direction, functionality of each of those imaging modules 2, functionality of interconnections between neighbouring imaging modules 2 and after that sufficient distribution of the picture to the whole imaging surface. If necessary, the whole surface of the segment shaped digital imaging surface 1 doesn't need to be used, for example only part of it, so the segment shaped digital imaging surface 1 can be used as a common TV of a common size. In such case, the control unit 1 establishes the distribution of a picture only to the required imaging modules 2. The control unit 1 1 is equipped with a USB port or another PC connecting device intended for downloading a picture or control software. Furthermore, the control unit 11 is equipped with the image input intended to connect a PC or notebook to use the segment shaped digital imaging surface 1 as an external monitor. Furthermore, the control unit 11 is equipped with a speakers' connector, a webcam^'s connector, a microphone^'s connector or/and with connectors for other media components.

[0027]The steps for mounting the segment shaped digital imaging surface 1 , according to the invention, are as follows:

[0028]The support net 3 is fixed to a support, e.g. to a bearing wall 7, by screws 8 or by another manner, so that, the support net 3 tightly sits on that bearing wall 7. After that, the imaging modules 2 are put into the eyes 6 by such manner, that the pins 9 of one of the imaging modules 2 are inserted into the equivalent sockets 10 of the neighbouring imaging modules 2, as mentioned previously. The number of the imaging modules 2 depends on choice of the user and creates a compact unit. Finally, the control unit 11 has to be placed into the proper area of the segment shaped digital imaging surface 1 , which advantageously should be in its hidden peripheral area, and has to be connected by pins 9 and by sockets 10 to the neighbouring imaging modules 2. Afterwards, the whole compiled segment shaped digital imaging surface 1 is covered by self-adhesive foil to ensure dust protection and easy maintenance of that imaging surface 1. The foil is not shown in the figures.

[0029] The segment shaped digital imaging surface 1 , according to the present invention, can be rendered into any position, i.e. into a horizontal or vertical position, and also in flat or a 3-dimensional arrangement.

[0030] The segment shaped digital imaging surface 1 , according to the present invention, offers widespread potential uses. For a home utilisation, the segment shaped digital imaging surface 1 is possible to use as decorative„wallpaper" with changeable pictures, which presents predefined graphics or projection of self-made or bought photographs. In the case of its connection to a PC and to a speaker, the segment shaped digital imaging surface 1 can be used by a family as a big screen, a common TV or a home cinema. If the segment shaped digital imaging surface 1 is connected to a webcam and a microphone, 2D interconnection of two households is possible to accomplish, i.e. to realize virtual interconnection of distant households. An invisible dividing wall of those interconnected rooms is formed by the segment shaped digital imaging surface 1 of the users. By turning on the segment shaped digital imaging surface 1 in combination with the Internet connection, virtual and online interconnection of one flat with another flat, each equipped with segment shaped digital imaging surface 1 , is possible and sharing of events between households of interconnected users, for example parents and children, friends and so on, is managed. That interconnection is provided for example by Skype. The size of the transmitted picture is not reduced and so it is presented more credibly. The segment shaped digital imaging surface 1 also enables 3D projection. It is possible by the use of webcams which are arranged on distant places and which transmit pictures of an optional monitored object from various viewing angles to the second segment shaped digital imaging surface 1 of the other user. The other user's segment shaped digital imaging surface 1 is provided with sensors of movement. Those sensors define the position of an observer and according to that obtained position the picture of the monitored imaging object, e.g. a room, is modified. If the observer is moving, the sensors define his position and modify the viewpoint on the monitored object, i.e. the monitored room. Due to that, the observer has a realistic feeling of physical interconnection of the rooms, where the interface between those rooms is the segment shaped digital imaging surface 1.

[0031] For commercial purposes, the segment shaped digital imaging surface 1 is possible to use as a digital big-screen imaging surface intended for community events, e.g. for seminars and for concerts. Furthermore, it is possible to be used as an informing or an advertising panel for interiors or exteriors of buildings.

[0032] For military purposes, the segment shaped digital imaging surface 1 in a 3D manner is possible to be used for camouflaging of objects, e.g. military equipment. It is possible because of the flexible transforming support net 3, which forms together with the imaging modules 2 a ..digital coat", which is possible to be used for close covering of any surface. Due to the bending of the segment shaped digital imaging surface 1 adapted for use in a 3D form, longer and elastic connectors, i.e. the pins 9, are required. The digital imaging surface 1 for 3D outdoor use is needed to be overlaid with a self-adhesive foil. The mobile military equipment, covered by digital imaging surface 1 and provided by digital cameras on its circumference, could be seem to be invisible for a distant observer. This effect is possible to obtain through the on-line projection of an opposite view monitored by the cameras, the so called "chameleon effect". The 3D segment shaped digital imaging surface 1 is also possible to use for civil purposes too e.g. to provide a changeable image on a car's surface or other objects. The principles of insertion of the imaging modules 2 into the support net 3, which covers the object, is also possible to use, if the imaging modules 2 are replaced by photovoltaic cells intended to gain solar energy. Eventually, both of those variants are possible to use together, i.e. insertion of the modules for imaging of a picture and insertion of the modules for receiving solar energy.

Claims

1. Segment shaped digital imaging surface configured as a digital wall cover consisting of the mutual interconnected imaging modules, preferably in the polygonal shape, characterised by, that the segment shaped digital imaging surface further consisting of a support net (3) formed by mutually connected eyes (6), into which the rear parts (5) of the imaging modules (2) are inserted, where the front part (4) of the imaging modules (2) is provided by imaging surface, whereas the front part (4) of the imaging module (2) has larger surface than the rear part (5) of the imaging module (2).

2. Segment shaped digital imaging surface according to the claim 1 , characterised by, that the front part (4) of the imaging module (2) and the rear part (5) of the imaging module (2) has a different shape.

3. Segment shaped digital imaging surface according to the claim 1 , characterised by, that the mutual ratio of the surfaces of the front part (4) and the rear part (5) of the imaging module (2) is in relation 2:1.

4. Segment shaped digital imaging surface according to the claim 1 , characterised by, that the imaging module (2) is made as touch-screen.

5. Segment shaped digital imaging surface according to the claim 1 , characterised by, that the net (3) is made from plastic.

6. Segment shaped digital imaging surface according to the claim 1 , characterised by, that the shape and the size of the eyes (6) of the net (3) is equivalent to the shape and the size of the rear part (5) of the imaging module (2).

7. Segment shaped digital imaging surface according to the claim 1 , characterised by, that interconnection of neighbouring imaging modules (2) is effected by pins (9) and by sockets (10).

8. Segment shaped digital imaging surface according to the claim 1 , characterised by, that at least one of the imagine modules (2) is constructed as a control unit (11).

9. Segment shaped digital imaging surface according to the claim 1 , characterised by, that the control unit (11) is equipped with USB port and/or by image input and/or by connector for connection external devices.

10. Segment shaped digital imaging surface according to the claim 1 , characterised by, that the imaging modules (2), respectively the front part (4) of the imaging modules (2) and/or the rear part (5) of the imaging modules (2), are in the hexagonal shape.