Abstract:
An improved LED display panel system ( 1 ) is provided, comprising a flexible curtain ( 2 ) having an array of surface mounted LED&#39;s ( 3 ) with a pixel density of approximately 2500 pixels per square meter. The panels ( 1 ) attach to one another in a vertical orientation employing upper or lower rigging bars ( 21, 22 ) which are flush with the last row of LED pixels ( 3 ) on each end. All data processing is accomplished inside the panels ( 1 ), and a single Ethercon cable connection ( 14 A) is used for data input, and a single Ethercon cable connection ( 14 B) is used for data output.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to large light-emitting diode (LED) devices used to display images, and more particularly to such devices which are flexible and capable of being connected to one another to form a composite display system. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Current light-emitting diode (LED) panels used in the entertainment industry provide users with a display for either static or moving images. While such panels are useful in many situations, they lack certain features regarding electrical connections, rigging, and portability which would make them more useable and desirable. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    A light emitting diode (LED) display panel, comprising a flexible curtain having a plurality of LED&#39;s; a plurality of data boxes, wherein each of the data boxes is electronically connected to a predetermined array of LED&#39;s, and wherein each of the data boxes is also electronically connected to a predetermined number of other data boxes; a processor panel having electronic circuitry adapted to control the display of the LED&#39;s through the data boxes, wherein the processor panel further includes a single connector for permitting input and output data signals to and from a computer or another similar panel; a plurality of power distribution points connected to the processor panel and to predetermined data boxes; and an upper rigging bar and a lower rigging bar attached to the curtain, wherein each of the upper and lower rigging bars includes fastening hardware sufficient to allow connection of the panel to another similar panel. 
         [0004]    In a preferred embodiment, the computer includes software programming sufficient to permit a user to control the LED&#39;s to display any desired image. 
         [0005]    In another embodiment, the processor panel is enclosed within a box to consolidate connections made to the processor panel. 
         [0006]    In still another embodiment, the upper and lower rigging bars are mounted flush with the last rows of LED pixels, such that a continuous display between connected panels is achieved. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements. 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  shows a schematic view of the various electrical components of a prior art flexible LED display panel. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  shows a detailed schematic view of the present invention, depicting an improved panel over the design of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  shows a processor case for use with the invention of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  shows a cover for the processor case of  FIG. 3 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    Before the subject invention is further described, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments of the invention described below, as variations of the particular embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the appended claims. It is also to be understood that the terminology employed is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments, and is not intended to be limiting. Instead, the scope of the present invention will be established by the appended claims. 
         [0013]    In this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. 
         [0014]    Turning now to the figures,  FIG. 1  depicts a prior art flexible LED display panel  1 . The panel  1  comprises a flexible fabric curtain  2  upon which are affixed numerous LED&#39;s  3  in a density of about 2500 pixels per square meter. Each side of the panel  1  includes a number of signal connectors  4 , for a total of eight (8) connectors shown in  FIG. 1 . Data boxes  5  associated with various arrays of LED&#39;s  3  are shown arranged in a grid on the rear surface of the display panel  1 . A receiving box  6  located among the data boxes  5  is used to route the many and various electrical connections required to operate the panel  1 . The panel  1  receives AC power from an external source  7 , typically 120V AC power, which is transformed to 5V DC power  8  that is connectable to one or more additional panels as needed. A data cable  9 , such as Category 5 or 6 LAN cable, extends from the receiving box  6  having processing electronics for communication with a computer  10 . For suspension of the flexible LED panel  1  from a structure, the panel  1  includes a number of straps  11  which terminate in a rigid bar  12  that can be secured by the supporting structure on site. 
         [0015]    Thus, when the panel  1  is used in an assembly with other panels, a number of connections must be made. For example, the signal connectors  4  on each side must be connected to corresponding signal connectors on the adjacent panel. This process is quite time-consuming, and can lead to failure of the connectors with so many connections to be completed and disconnected on a repetitive basis. Given the urgency with which such panel assemblies need to be completed on a tight time frame, these inefficiencies can be expensive to all parties. Also, it is not possible to connect such panels vertically, because the strap  11  and bar  12  arrangement does not permit a flush mechanical connection that allows seamless positioning of LED pixels in the vertical direction. 
         [0016]    In  FIG. 2 , it can be seen that all signal connections in the improved panel  20  have been consolidated into a single connector  14  having leads  14 A,  14 B for input and output, respectively, labeled as Ethercon In and Ethercon Out, which allows quick and easy connection between panels, rather than as many as eight connections. The connector  14  extends from a processor panel  15  having suitable processing electronics for control of the LED&#39;s  3 , and the processor panel  15  is located on the rear of the panel  20  along with the data boxes  5  which are interconnected as shown in  FIG. 2 . Power  16  from an external source is provided at 120V AC to various distribution points  17  and transformed in 5V DC power for the data boxes  5  and the processor panel  15 . Although the number of such power distribution points  17  may change to suit the particular design of the panel  20 , twelve such power distribution points  17  are shown in a preferred configuration. As indicated in  FIG. 2 , the connector  14  is operatively in communication with a computer  10  which controls the LED display  3  via the processor panel  15 . The computer  10  includes software programming that can be controlled by a user to direct the LED&#39;s to display any desired image. Importantly, when the connectors  14  of various panels are connected to one another using their respective leads  14 A (input) and  14 B (output), and a single connector lead  14 A from one panel  20  is also connected to the computer  10 , all of the connected panels  20  are thus controlled in unison, such that control data signals provided by the computer  10  result in a harmonized image across all panels  20  as if the multiple panels  20  were acting as a single display. While a wired connection is shown, it also possible to connect the input connector lead  14 A to a wireless device (not shown), such that wireless communication of the control data from the computer  10  can also be achieved. 
         [0017]    Likewise, the improved panel  20  includes an upper and lower rigging bar  21 ,  22 . Each such rigging bar  21 ,  22  is located behind the LED array  3 , and contain a number of holes with fastening hardware such that a rigid attachment to other vertically attached panels  20  is available either above or below the first panel  20 . The rigging bars  21 ,  22  are mounted flush with the last upper and lower rows of LED pixels. When adjacent panels are connected in this fashion, the LED pixels between connected panels are essentially continuous, making for a more uniform and desirable image. Importantly, such panels  20  may be connected to one another both vertically and horizontally, allowing a large matrix of panels  20  to be assembled for virtually any size or shape to display the desired text or imagery as controlled by the computer  10 . 
         [0018]      FIGS. 3 and 4  depict the processor panel  15  box  25  and cover  26 , respectively, for use with the improved LED display panel  20 . The box  25  conveniently consolidates the connections which enter the processor panel  15 , and from which the single Ethercon connector leads  14 A,  14 B extend before communication with either an adjacent panel and/or the computer  10 . 
         [0019]    All references cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as though each reference was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. The citation of any reference is for its disclosure prior to the filing date and should not be construed as an admission that the present invention is not entitled to antedate such reference by virtue of prior invention. 
         [0020]    It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above. Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention set forth in the appended claims. The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.