SIGN OF ADVERTISEMENT BOARD

Abstract: An indicator or advertising board (1) comprising a display component (3) of an essentially sheet-like, transparent material and an illuminating component implemented using light-emitting diodes (5). The light-emitting diodes (5) are located in the immediate vicinity of the edge of the sheet-like display component (3), to light the sheet through the edge. The diodes (5) are at least of types emitting red, blue, and green light. The device includes a control unit (6), or at least a connection to a control unit, intended to control the intensity of the light emitted by the variously coloured diodes in relation to each other, in order to display different hues of colour on the board (1).

Description: SIGN OR ADVERTISEMENT BOARD. The present invention relates to an illuminated board, which is particularly suitable for use as, without however being restricted to, for example, an advertising board or guide board in a suitable location. Indicator and advertising boards equipped with a light have been used for a very long time for transmitting various kinds of signals. Often the illumination is by means of conventional lamps, which, when it is dark or at times when it is wished to draw particular attention, are switched on to illuminate the usually board-like object. In terms of attracting attention, such objects are rather modest. Various solutions are also known, in which the illumination blinks or pulses, in order to draw attention. In that case, the object itself is typically formed from illuminated elements, as is the case in so-called neon lights. It is then also possible to use tubes of different colours, to create hues of colour. Though the use of neon lights is of course effective in certain conditions, it is very expensive, for example, to form an advertisement from neon tubes, while the need to replace the tubes greatly increases the operating costs. Light-emitting diodes, or LEDs, have also been used for various advertising and indicator purposes, to create light in objects that it is wished to accentuate and also to form points of light, from which it is possible to create various patterns, if it is so wished. LEDs are an alternative for the purpose described, being both durable and nowadays also quite economical. The present invention is intended to create a new advertising or indicator device that is applicable to many purposes and is economical, having properties that can compete with any presently known similar device. One particular property that greatly arouses attention and opens further possibilities is that of creating a spectrum of steplessly variable hues of colour. The above and other benefits and advantages of this invention are created in the manner stated as characteristic in the accompanying Claims. In the following, the invention is described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying schematic and non-restrictive drawings, which show, as an example, one well-regarded embodiment of the invention. Thus: Figure 1 shows the construction of one device according to the invention in a partly transparent perspective view; Figure 2 shows a cross-section A-A of Figure 1; and Figure 3 shows in turn an enlarged detail of element 4 of Figure 1. In the embodiment of Figure 1 , the device 1 comprises a few principal components. Thus, the board 3 or similar is a sheet of transparent material, on which is placed, usually on its rear surface as seen by the viewer, the desired text or image to which it is wished to attract the viewer's attention. Light is emitted into the edge of the sheet by a light element 4 containing light-emitting diodes 5, which element comprises either a single element extending essentially from one side of the device to the other, or several successive elements 4, four of which are shown in Figure 1. In the elements 4, the LEDs 5 are in a specific sequence, in this case they form a simple row. The enlarged part view of Figure 3 shows that the LEDs 5 can be arranged so that LEDs emitting red, green, and blue light are set one after the other to form a group of three LEDs. However, in terms of the invention it is of no consequence how the positions of the LEDs are configured, what is important is that by using these three colours it is possible to suitably vary their relationships, to create all the colours in the world. The light-emitting diodes 5 send light towards the edge of the sheet-like component 3 manufactured from a transparent material, such as glass or so- called plexiglass. In a conventional manner, the light spreads over the whole extent of the component 3, simultaneously illuminating anything that is written or drawn on it. As is known, the light effect will be different, if the sheet 3 is made to refract the light. This can be achieved simply by, for example, making an incision in the rear side of the sheet 3 along the outside of the image to be displayed, the wall of which incision will refract the light and thus make the outline appear more clearly than the rest of the area. Other kinds of treatment of the surface of the sheet, such as, for instance, sand blasting, can also refract the light and create a desired light effect. Figure 1 shows the protective component 2 as a simple, essentially tube-like component, which is intended to hide the light panels 4 from view and act, if necessary, as a kind of base for the device. The casing 2 can also, if required, act as a kind of advertising space, on which text or images can be attached in an appropriate manner. For example, the casing 2 can include the manufacturer's contact information. It is obvious that the cover also prevents dirtying. On one side of the cover 2 there is an opening 21, through which the edge of the sheet-like component 3 is pushed into the casing. Also in Figure 1 is a component 6 drawn as a simple box, which in this case represents the control unit for the LEDs. The size of the unit 6 is such that it can equally well be inside the casing 2, or the unit 6 can be simply, for instance, an RS connector, to which an external control unit, for example a computer, is connected. In any event, the unit 6 is intended to control the mutual relationships between the LEDs 5 so as to create the desired colour effect. Because this is a technique that is, as such, known, it will not be dealt with in greater detail. However, as one versed in the art will know perfectly well, it is possible, according to the invention, to create any hue whatever in the area of the sheet 3. The intensity of the hue can be varied by adjusting the brightness of the LEDs while the hue itself is created by adjusting the mutual relationships of the red, green, and blue light. According to the invention, the LEDs can be programmed in any way whatever to display moving zones of colour and other effects. Figure 2 shows a cross-section of the device of Figure 1. In this case, the cross-section has been adapted so that two sheet-like components 31 and 32 are now used. Assuming that the viewer is on the right-hand side of the figure, the side of the rear sheet 31 facing the front sheet 32 can be surfaced with a suitable background image and, if necessary, the path of the light to the sheet 31 can be broken by giving the edge 33 of the sheet 31 facing the LEDs a suitably opaque finish. The surface of sheet 32 facing sheet 31 , on the other hand, can be equipped with the actual images or text, which can be altered, parts of which are engraved as desired to refract light and create effects, as described previously above. The lower edge of sheet 32 is not covered. The invention can be varied to a very great extent, in terms of size, shape, or location. Thus, a device like that described can be suspended to hang in a desired place. On the other hand, smaller devices can be placed on tables or other surfaces, with the aid of suitable means. It is also possible to place a device, or a group of devices as a fixed or detachable part, for example, of furnishings. Thus, for example, in banks or other places containing various service points, the guidance of customers can be arranged conveniently by using a device according to the invention, which is equipped with certain effects for attracting attention, for guidance purposes.

Claims: Claims 1. An indicator or advertising board (1) including a display component (3) of essentially sheet-like, transparent material and an illuminating component implemented with the aid of light-emitting diodes (5), characterized in that the light-emitting diodes (5) are located in the immediate vicinity of the edge of the sheet-like display component, to light the sheet through the edge. 2. A board according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the diodes (5) are at least of types that emit red, blue, green light and that the device includes a control unit (6), or at least a connection to a control unit, which is intended to control the intensity of the light emitted by the differently coloured diodes in relation to each other, in order to display different hues of colour on the board (1). 3. A board according to Claim 1, characterized in that the surface of the board (3) is engraved or otherwise surface-treated, with the intention of diffracting the light and thus creating light effects. 4. A board according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the display component (3) includes two parallel sheet components (31 and 32), of which the one (31) furthest from the viewer includes a background image, preferably on the surface facing the sheet component (32). 5. A board according to Claim 4, characterized in that the edge (33) of the rear sheet component (31) facing the light-emitting diodes is made opaque. 6. A board according to Claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the text of the actual indicator or advertisement and possible engravings are located on the surface furthest from the viewer of the sheet (32) that is closest to the viewer. 7. A board according to any of the above Claims, characterized in that the light-emitting diodes (5) are located in a protective casing (2) and are in series of three diodes emitting red (R), green (G), and blue (B) light. 8. A board according to Claim 2, characterized in that the control unit (6) includes a memory, in which it is possible to record the necessary control commands. 9. A board according to Claim 2, characterized in that the board (1) includes a connector to connect it to a device giving control commands, such as a computer. 10. A board according to any of the above Claims, characterized in that the board includes several successive light panels (4). 11. A board according to any of the above Claims, characterized in that the protective casing (2) is elongated and opaque and includes an incision (21) in the cover, through which the edge of the sheet-like component (3) is pushed into the casing (2).

Inventors: TALSTILA PEKKA, TALSTILA, PEKKA
Applicants: TALSTILA PEKKA, TALSTILA, PEKKA
Application year: 2001
Main classification: G09F13
IPC codes: F21V8