Abstract:
The present invention relates to a signage system ( 10 ) comprising: a plurality of textile products ( 12 ) each comprising a flexible display device ( 16 ). For controlling the displays ( 16 ), the system further comprises a central unit ( 14, 24 ) adapted to emit at least one control signal, each of which being a sound signal or a light signal. To this end, each textile product further comprises means ( 20, 26 ) for detecting the control signal(s) emitted by the central unit ( 14, 24 ), and means ( 18 ) linked to the detection means ( 20, 26 ) and display ( 16 ) for controlling the display ( 16 ) in accordance with the detected control signal(s). The present invention also relates to a method, central units and uses of such for controlling a plurality of flexible display devices each comprised in a textile product.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a signage system comprising a plurality of textile products each comprising a flexible display device. The present invention also relates to a method, central units and uses of such for controlling a plurality of flexible display devices each comprised in a textile product. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    An example of a textile product comprising a flexible display device is disclosed in WO2006/014230. More precisely, WO2006/014230 describes a flexible display screen with a plurality of light emitting diodes acting as pixels in a matrix pattern. The display is installed in a jacket. The display may for instance be held by a pocket or pouch in proximity to the outer cloth of the jacket, which pocket or pouch resides inside the lining of the jacket. The display is controlled by a control circuit connected to it, and the system is powered by a battery pack. Both the control circuit and battery pack may also be placed within the jacket. Upon operation, light from the display is transmitted through the outer cloth so that an illuminated message, for instance a word, may be shown “on” the jacket. Such a jacket can be used at events for promotion or marketing purposes, as personal protective clothing of highway and railroad workers, or police, fire and ambulance crews, etc. 
         [0003]    It may be desirable to use a plurality of such displays nearby each other to show a larger message. To this end, WO2006/014230 discloses an example set in a sports arena where individual members of the crowd represent smaller area screens and the crowd collectively makes up a large area screen. Here, each individual may dial up a telephone number by means of a wireless phone and input the seating or standing area they are located in. An Internet linked computer server communicating with each individual phone can then compute the appropriate data to send to each wireless phone. Each phone can then relay the data through a wired interface to the individuals&#39; small screen or through a wireless radio interface such as Bluetooth. 
         [0004]    However, an issue when using multiple displays, especially for presenting a dynamic composite message, is that the operation of the individual displays may have to be synchronized; otherwise the composite message may not be presented correctly. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    It is an object of the present invention to address this issue, and to provide an improved signage system, the displays of which easily can be synchronized. 
         [0006]    According to a first aspect, there is provided a signage system comprising: a plurality of textile products each comprising a flexible display device; and a central unit for controlling the displays, wherein the central unit is adapted to emit at least one control signal, each control signal being a sound signal or a light signal, and wherein each textile product further comprises means for detecting the control signal(s) emitted by the central unit, and means linked to the detection means and display for controlling the display in accordance with the detected control signal(s). 
         [0007]    The invention is based on the understanding that a central unit can be used as a remote control to synchronize the operation of the plural displays, for instance by transmitting a single “on” signal to all displays allowing identical or related animations to be started on all displays at the same time. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment, the at least one control signal comprises a predetermined control signal, and the control means in at least one of the textile products is adapted to execute a certain display function upon detection of the predetermined control signal. For instance, the displays may be turned on/off. This ensures that the displays are not triggered or otherwise controlled by just any light or sound signal, but by a specific, predetermined control signal. The predetermined control signal may for example have a specific frequency, sequence of frequencies, and/or modulation. Further, different control signals can be used to trigger different displays. For instance a first control signal may be used to turn a first group of displays on (or off), while a second control signal is used to turn a second group of displays on (or off). Other display functions that can be associated with control signals include but are not limited to switching or initiating display content, controlling brightness, contrast, frame rate, rotation, flipping, etc. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment, each control signal is a light signal and the detection means is a photo detector, whereby detection of the light by the photo detector may trigger the displays. Preferably, the light signal is an infrared signal (IR) and the photo detector is an IR detector. Transmission via infrared technology is well known per se, and relatively easy and cheap to implement. In a further embodiment, the control means is further adapted to select a display content to be showed on the display in accordance with the frequency and/or modulation of the detected light signal. For instance, an IR signal from the central unit having a first modulation can initiate the display of a first image or animation or play list (with images/animations, for example), and an IR signal having a second, different modulation can initiate the display of a second, different image or animation or play list. Thus, by emitting IR signals with different modulation (and/or frequency), the central unit can control the contents of the displays. Further, when using an infrared signal, the central unit is preferably a wide beam infrared remote control, so that the displays of several textile products can be initiated all at once. Instead of an infrared signal, a flash light or any visible or non-visible light of a dedicated frequency could be used to trigger the displays. 
         [0010]    In another embodiment, each control signal is a sound signal and the detection means is a microphone, whereby detection of the sound by the microphone may trigger the displays. The use of sound signals is beneficial since it in general does not require line of sight. In a further embodiment, the control means is further adapted to select a display content to be showed on the display in accordance with the frequency or sequence of frequencies of the sound signal detected by the microphone. For instance, a sound signal having a first frequency can initiate the display of a first image or animation or play list, and a sound having a second, different frequency can initiate the display of a second, different image or animation or play list. Thus, by emitting sound signals with different frequencies, the central unit can control the contents of the displays. To determine the frequency of the sound signal, each textile product may comprise a frequency analyzer, for example. In yet a further embodiment, the control means is further adapted to select a display content to be showed on the display device in accordance with a spoken word or phrase of the sound signal detected by the microphone. For instance, a first word can initiate the display of a first image or animation, and a second, different word can initiate the display of a second, different image or animation. Thus, by pronouncing different words or phrases, the central unit can control the contents of the displays. Alternatively, the different control words or phrases could be uttered by a person. To determine the word or phrase, each textile product should have voice recognition capability. Hereto, techniques for voice recognition are known per se. 
         [0011]    In an envisaged embodiment, the textile product is a garment, such as a shirt, and the flexible display device is preferably a light emitting diode (LED) based display. 
         [0012]    According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for controlling a plurality of flexible display devices each comprised in a textile product, comprising the step of emitting at least one control signal, each control signal being a sound signal or light signal, wherein each textile product further comprises means for detecting the emitted control signal(s), and means linked to the detection means and display for controlling the display in accordance with the detected control signal(s). 
         [0013]    In yet other aspects, the invention relates to a wide beam infrared remote control and its use for controlling a plurality of flexible display devices each comprised in a textile product, wherein each textile product further comprises an infrared detector for detecting an infrared signal emitted by the wide beam infrared remote control, and means linked to the infrared detector and display for controlling the display in accordance with the detected infrared signal. 
         [0014]    In still other aspects, the invention relates to a central sound emitting unit and its use for controlling a plurality of flexible display devices each comprised in a textile product, wherein each textile product further comprises a microphone for detecting a sound signal emitted by the central unit, and means linked to the microphone and display for controlling the display in accordance with the detected sound signal. 
         [0015]    These aspects exhibit similar advantages as the first discussed aspect of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    These and other aspects of the present invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to the appended drawings showing a currently preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  schematically illustrates a signage system according to an embodiment of the invention using infrared signals. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  schematically illustrates a signage system according to another embodiment of the invention using sound signals. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]      FIG. 1  schematically illustrates a signage system  10  according to an embodiment of the invention. The system  10  comprises plurality of textile products  12 , which in  FIG. 1  are garments, more precisely shirts. Alternatively, the textile products  12  may be other garments, such as jackets or vests, or a piece of furniture, a bag, etc. Each shirt  12  comprises a flexible display device  16  (in the following “display”  16 ). The display  16  is installed behind the outer cloth of the shirt  12 . Preferably, the display  16  comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted on a flexible substrate (not shown). Such an LED display can be made relatively thin and flexible, and is power efficient, which is especially beneficial when used in a shirt. When the display  16  is on, an illuminated image or animation or other message may be shown through the outer cloth on the shirt  12 . On the other hand, when the display  16  is off, the display  16  is hardly visible from outside the shirt  12 . 
         [0020]    Each shirt  12  further comprises a control unit  18  linked to the display  16 . The control unit  18  is generally adapted to control the display  16 , such as initiating the showing of display content on the display  16 . The display content may be an image, animation, letter, number, word or other message. The display  16  and control unit  18  (as well as any additional electronic components) are preferably powered by a battery pack (not shown) also incorporated in the shirt  12 . 
         [0021]    According to an embodiment of the invention, the signage system  10  further comprises an infrared (IR) remote control  14  for controlling the displays  16 . The infrared remote control  14  is adapted to emit various IR (i.e. electromagnetic radiation of wavelengths between approximately 750 nm and 1 mm) control signals to one or more or all of the textile products/displays within range. To receive the IR signals, each shirt  12  further comprises an IR detector  20 . The IR detector  20  is linked to the control unit  18  and adapted to detect the IR control signal emitted by the IR remote control  14 . Preferably, the IR remote control  14  is a wide beam IR remote control adapted to emit an IR signal covering a relatively broad sector  22 , so that the signal can be picked up by several IR detectors  20  within the sector  22  at the same time. The angle of divergence α of a particular IR signal emitted by the IR remote control  14  may for example be in the order of about 40° up to about 180°. The latter can be obtained for instance by placing several IR light sources next to each other, each with a slightly tilted angle. Thus, only one signal has to be emitted from the IR remote control  14  in order to reach several shirts  12 . The control unit  18  in each shirt  12  is further adapted to actuate or otherwise control the display  16  upon detection of the IR signal from the IR remote control  14 . Thus, as the IR signal is detected by the IR detector  20 , a preprogrammed animation or image may be shown on each display  16 . Consequently, all displays  16  of the plural shirts  12  may be actuated or started at essentially the same time based on a single IR signal emitted by the IR remote control  14 , allowing synchronized operation of the displays in order to provide a unified message. The unified message may for example be formed by having each of the displays showing a different letter of a three letter word. Alternatively, a unified, dynamic message may be an animation running synchronized at the same time on all displays, or an animation moving from one display to the next and so on, etc. 
         [0022]    The above IR signal used to actuate the displays preferably has a predetermined frequency and/or modulation, to distinguish it from any other IR signals that might be present. To this end, the control unit  18  may be adapted to trigger the displays (for instance show a preprogrammed animation) only upon detection of the IR signal having the predetermined frequency and/or modulation. Further, by emitting IR signals of different frequencies/modulations, different animations (or other display contents) could be initiated on the displays, or different display functions could be executed, such as change of brightness, contrast, frame rate, rotation, flipping, etc. To this end, the IR remote control  14  could be embodied like a regular TV remote (portable, battery powered, with buttons), wherein instead of switching TV channels, changing contrast, etc., the IR remote control  14  is used to change the contents shown of the displays, turning displays on/off, change the contrast/brightness of the displays, etc. 
         [0023]      FIG. 2  schematically illustrates a signage system  10  according to another embodiment of the invention. The system  10  comprises plurality of textile products  12 , which in  FIG. 2  are garments, more precisely shirts. Alternatively, the textile products  12  may be other garments, such as jackets or vests, or a piece of furniture, a bag, etc. Each shirt  12  comprises a flexible display device  16  (in the following “display”  16 ). The display  16  is installed behind the outer cloth of the shirt  12 . Preferably, the display  16  comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted on a flexible substrate (not shown). Such an LED display can be made relatively thin and flexible, and is power efficient, which is especially beneficial when used in a shirt. When the display  16  is on, an illuminated image or animation or other message may be shown through the outer cloth on the shirt  12 . On the other hand, when the display  16  is off, the display  16  is hardly visible from outside the shirt  12 . 
         [0024]    Each shirt  12  further comprises a control unit  18  linked to the display  16 . The control unit  18  is generally adapted to control the display  16 , such as initiating the showing of display content on the display  16 . The display content may be an image, animation, letter, number, word or other message. The display  16  and control unit  18  (as well as any additional electronic components) are preferably powered by a battery pack (not shown) also incorporated in the shirt  12 . 
         [0025]    According to an embodiment of the invention, the signage system  10  further comprises a central remote control unit  24  for controlling the displays  16 . The central remote control unit  24  is adapted to emit various sound control signals to one or more or all of the textile products/displays within range. To receive the sound signals, each shirt  12  further comprises a microphone  26 . The microphone  26  is linked to the control unit  18  and adapted to detect the control signal emitted by the central unit  24 . The central unit  24  may be any sound emitting device (e.g. loudspeaker, piezo speaker, whistle, etc.) adapted to emit a sound signal. The control unit  18  in each shirt  12  is further adapted to actuate or otherwise control the display  16  upon detection of the sound signal from the central unit  24 . Thus, as the sound signal is detected by the microphone  26 , a preprogrammed animation or image may be shown on each display  16 . Consequently, all displays  16  of the plural shirts  12  may be actuated or started at essentially the same time based on a single sound signal emitted by the central unit  24 , allowing synchronized operation of the displays  16  in order to provide a unified message. The above sound signal used to actuate the displays preferably has a predetermined frequency or sequence of frequencies, to distinguish it from any other sounds that might be present. To this end, the control unit  18  may be adapted to trigger the display (for instance show a preprogrammed animation) only upon detection of the sound signal having the predetermined frequency. Further, the unified message may for example be formed by having each of the displays  12  showing a different letter of a three letter word. Alternatively, a dynamic, unified message may be an animation running synchronized at the same time on all displays, or an animation moving from one display to the next and so on, etc. 
         [0026]    In a further embodiment, each control unit  18  may further be adapted to select a display content to be showed on the display  16 , or to execute different display functions (change of brightness, contrast, frame rate, rotation, flipping, etc), in accordance with the frequency or sequence of frequencies of the sound signal detected by the microphone  26 . For instance, a sound signal having a first frequency can initiate the display of a first preprogrammed image or animation, and a sound having a second, different frequency can initiate the display of a second, different preprogrammed image or animation. Thus, by emitting sound signals with different frequencies, the central unit  24  can control the contents of the displays  16 . To determine the frequency of the sound signal, each shirt may comprise a frequency analyzer, for example. 
         [0027]    In yet a further embodiment, each control unit  18  may further be adapted to select a display content to be showed on the display  16  in accordance with a spoken word or phrase of the sound signal detected by the microphone  24 . For instance, a first word can initiate the display of a preprogrammed first image or animation, and a second, different word can initiate the display of a second, different preprogrammed image or animation. Thus, by pronouncing different words or phrases, the central unit  24  can control the contents of the displays  16 . Alternatively, the different control words or phrases could be uttered by a person, in which case the loudspeaker  24  can be omitted. To determine the word or phrase, each textile product should have voice recognition capability (not shown). Hereto, techniques for voice recognition are known per se. 
         [0028]    The person skilled in the art realizes that the present invention by no means is limited to the preferred embodiments described above. On the contrary, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims. For instance, with reference to  FIG. 1 , instead of an infrared signal, a flash light or any light signal of a dedicated frequency together with appropriate photo detectors in the shirts could be used to trigger or otherwise control the displays.