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US 2009/0021497 A1Published application
Flexible pixel element and signal distribution means
AssigneeDaktronics, Inc.
InventorsBrett D. Wendler, Eric S. Bravek, Erich J. Grebel
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Discrete flexible pixel elements are hermetically sealed from the environment and comprise unitary, self-contained replaceable modules which enable efficient, economical production of large scale, free-form electronic displays, signs and lighting effects for outdoor use. The method and means for producing hermetically sealed discrete flexible pixel elements include encapsulation means, exterior casement means, and cable connector means.
Claims31
A discrete flexible pixel element device, comprising:
- a. a printed circuit board (PCB) assembly having on-board pixel element electronics and collateral support components including at least one light-emitting pixel elements, at least one pixel element driver means for operatively driving said light-emitting pixel elements and at least one driver control means for operatively controlling said pixel element driver means;
- b. a power and signal distribution means for operatively distributing operating power, image data and control signals to said light-emitting pixel elements, said pixel element driver means and said driver control means;
- c. at least one input flexible cable means having power and signal conductors for distributing input operating power, image data and control signals to pixel element electronics;
- and,
- d. at least one output flexible cable means having power and signal conductors for distributing output operating power, image data and control signals;
- wherein said discrete flexible pixel element device can be conjoined interchangeably in series-connection with a plurality of like discrete flexible pixel element devices to embody a flexible pixel string.
3 more elements
A power and signal distribution means for discreet flexible pixel element devices, comprising:
- a. at least two discrete flexible pixel element devices conjoined in series-connection to embody a first at least one flexible pixel string;
- b. at least two discrete flexible pixel element devices conjoined in series-connection to embody a second flexible pixel string;
- and,
- c. at least one off-board serial line controller means comprising serial line driver electronic circuits operatively supplying operating power, image data and control signals to said a first at least one flexible pixel string and to said a second flexible pixel string;
- wherein said a first at least one flexible pixel string and said a second flexible pixel string are operatively conjoined with said at least one serial line controller means thereby apportioning said flexible pixel strings into a flexible pixel string array.
2 more elements
A discreet flexible pixel element, comprising:
- a. a non-unique, non-addressed self-contained unit;
- b. a single input flexible cable means;
- c. a single output flexible cable means;
- d. an input flexible cable connector means having power and signal conductor terminals and fitment features to enable same operatively to conjoin with an output flexible cable connector means of a preceding upstream one discreet flexible pixel element in series-connection;
- e. an output flexible cable connector means having power and signal conductor terminals and fitment features to enable same operatively to conjoin with an input flexible cable connector means of a following downstream one discreet flexible pixel element in series-connection;
- and,
- f. power and signal distribution means operatively to receive transmission of operating power, image data and control signals from a preceding upstream one discreet flexible pixel element in series-connection via said input flexible cable means and operatively to transmit operating power, image data and control signals to a following downstream one discreet flexible pixel element in series-connection via said output flexible cable means;
- wherein said discreet flexible pixel element is fully interchangeable with any other like discreet flexible pixel element.
5 more elements
A flexible pixel string, comprising:
- a. a plurality of interchangeable discreet flexible pixel elements each having a single input flexible cable means and a single output flexible cable means and embodying a non-unique, non-addressed self-contained unit in series-connection;
- wherein at least one said flexible pixel string can be conformably applied to, or mounted on, irregular shapes and surfaces to produce large scale electronic display devices.
A flexible pixel string array, comprising:
- a. a plurality of discreet flexible pixel elements operatively conjoined in series-connection to embody at least one flexible pixel string;
- b. a serial line controller printed circuit board (PCB) operatively equipped to transmit operating power, image data and control signals to said at least one said flexible pixel stings;
- and,
- c. at least one said flexible pixel strings operatively conjoined in series-connection to said serial line controller printed circuit board;
- wherein at least one said flexible pixel string array can be conformably applied to, or mounted on, irregular shapes and surfaces to produce large scale electronic display devices.
2 more elements
A display controller device, comprising:
- a. an operating system means;
- b. at least one conventional graphical image digital data files created for matrix-grid type, rectilinear or planar electronic display devices;
- c. an image data translator means;
- d. a flexible pixel array configuration table means;
- e. a serial line controller printed circuit board (PCB) operatively equipped to transmit operating power, image data and control signals to at least one flexible pixel stings;
- and,
- f. at least one said flexible pixel strings operatively conjoined in series-connection to said serial line controller printed circuit board;
- wherein said display controller device said operating system means operatively executes said image data translator means to translate said at least one conventional graphical image data files into visual image data and control signals corresponding to logical and spatial placement and position of a plurality of discreet flexible pixel elements embodied within said flexible pixel strings conformably applied to irregular shapes and surfaces, operatively to drive same by reference to said flexible pixel array configuration table means, via said serial line controller printed circuit board, thereby to produce visual display images and lighting effects for viewing.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.