Patent Publication Number: US-2013232832-A1

Title: Display device, system for creating a display, and process of creating a display

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to display devices, display systems, and display processes. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a light emitting devices, systems, and display processes. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is well known that an illusion of larger image can be created by aligning a plurality of cards, such as is done in the formation of a mosaic. This concept has been employed in stadiums to produce images within a spectator portion of the stadium. For example, in one known display of these cards, each card was a rigid flat panel including a printed image that is a portion of a larger image to be assembled. The spectators received assigned cards corresponding to their seats in the stadium. Such printed displays have substantial limitations with regard to brightness or resolution. Furthermore, such printed displays are not capable of displaying sequences of moving images, and cannot be used quickly to display real-time data. 
     Known electronic display screens have been used in stadiums for display of enlarged digital images, particularly for advertising on billboards and similar structures. These electronic display screens suffer from the drawback of requiring externally supplied central power and/or consolidated control. Also, these electronic display screens are not part of a system designed for independently controlled spectator-mounted electronic display devices that encourage spectator interaction and participation. 
     A display device, a system for creating a display, and a process of creating a display, that do not suffer from one or more of the above drawbacks would be desirable in the art. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In an exemplary embodiment, a process of creating a display having an illusion of a continuous image includes providing image data to a first spectator display device, the first spectator display device including one or more light emitting elements, providing image data to a second spectator display device, and activating at least one of the one or more light emitting elements based upon the image data. The first spectator display device is positioned within a spectator region of a venue. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, a system for creating a display having an illusion of a continuous image includes a first spectator display device including one or more light emitting elements, a second spectator display device, and a controller capable of providing image data to one or both of the first spectator display device and the second spectator display device. At least one of the one or more light emitting elements is capable of being activated based upon the image data. At least a portion of the first spectator display device is positioned within a spectator region of a venue. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, a spectator display device for creating a display in a venue includes one or more light emitting elements capable of being activated upon receiving image data. The spectator display device is positioned within a spectator region of the venue and the image data corresponds with a portion of the display. 
     Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the preferred embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary display at a venue according to the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged perspective view of an exemplary display in a spectator region showing spectator positions according to the disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged cutaway perspective view of an exemplary seat-mounted display according to the disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged cutaway front view of an exemplary spectator-mounted display according to the disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective front view of an exemplary spectator display device according to the disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective rear view of an exemplary spectator display device according to the disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic of an exemplary display system according to the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to represent the same parts. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Provided is a display device, a system for creating a display, and a process of creating a display. Embodiments of the present disclosure create an illusion of a continuous image, create an illusion of three-dimensional objects or images, provide a higher quality graphic display with the desired level of brightness and resolution of an enlarged digital image, permit still or moving images to be displayed as an array within a spectator region of a venue, encourage spectator participation in creating an arrayed display, and permit display of complex image sequences through independent control of hand-held electronic display devices, or combinations thereof. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in one embodiment, a display  100  within a spectator region  102  of a venue  104  is shown. The display  100  includes a plurality of spectator display devices  106  arranged and disposed within the spectator region  102 . In another embodiment, the display  100  includes a plurality of spectator display devices  106  arranged and disposed within a non-spectator region  103 . The non-spectator region  103  includes any suitable non-spectator region, such as, a playing field, performance stage, dugouts or other player area, band or orchestra area, media/announcer area, concessions, ticket or merchandizing area, or parking lots, for example. In one embodiment, display coordinates corresponding to a row and seat number for one or more individual spectator positions  108 , such as 8A, 8B, 8C, 9A, 9B, 9C, for example, create a 2 dimensional array map. An example of such display coordinates that are used to create an image  100  include display coordinates corresponding to seat numbers 18CC, 19BB, 19CC, 20BB, 20CC, 21AA, 21BB, 22AA, 22BB, 23AA, 23BB, 24Z, 24AA, 24BB, 25Z, 25AA, 25BB, 26Y, 26Z, 26AA, 27Y, 27Z, 27AA, 28Y, 28Z, 28AA, 29X, 29Y, 29Z, 29AA, 30X, 30Y, 30Z, 30AA, 31W, 31X, 31Y, 31Z, 32W, 32X, 32Y, 32Z, 33V, 33W, 33X, 33Y, 33Z, 34V, 34W, 34X, 34Y, 34Z, 35U, 35V, 35W, 35X, 35Y, 36U, 36V, 36W, 36X, 36Y, 37U, 37V, 37W, 37X, 37Y, 37T, 38U, 38V, 38W, 38X, 39T, 39U, 39V, 39W, 39X, 40T, 40U, 40V, 40W, 40X, 41T, 41U, 41V, 41W, 41X, 42T, 42U, 42V, 42W, 42X, 43T, 43U, 43V, 43W, 43X, 44T, 44U, 44V, 44W, 44X, 45T, 45U, 45V, 45W, 45X, 46O, 46P, 46Q, 46R, 46S, 46T, 46U, 46V, 46W, 46X, 46Y, 46Z, 46AA, 46BB, 46CC, 47O, 47P, 47Q, 47R, 47S, 47T, 47U, 47V, 47W, 47X, 47Y, 47Z, 47AA, 47BB, 47CC, 48O, 48P, 48Q, 48R, 48S, 48T, 48U, 48V, 48W, 48X, 48Y, 48Z, 48AA, 48BB, 48CC, 49O, 49P, 49Q, 49R, 49S, 49T, 49U, 49V, 49W, 49X, 49Y, 49Z, 49AA, 49BB, 49CC, 50T, 50U, 50V, 50W, 50X, 51T, 51U, 51V, 51W, 51X, 52T, 52U, 52V, 52W, 52X, 53T, 53U, 53V, 53W, 53X, 54T, 54U, 54V, 54W, 54X, 55T, 55U, 55V, 55W, 55X, 56T, 56U, 56V, 56W, 56X, 57S, 57T, 57U, 57V, 57W, 57X, 58S, 58T, 59U, 59V, 59W, 59X, 59S, 59T, 59U, 59V, 59W, 59X, and 60U, 60V. 
     In one embodiment, at least a portion of the spectator positions  108  includes one or more of the spectator display devices  106  (see  FIGS. 3 and 4 ). In one embodiment, each spectator display device  106  is electronically assigned the corresponding spectator position  108  display coordinates within the array map. In one embodiment, a tracking system is used to electronically tag and track the position of the spectator display devices  106 . Such tracking system includes suitable positioning and tracking equipment, components or devices such as RFID (radio-frequency identification), Wi-Fi radios, networked wireless detectors, tracking algorithms, GPS (global positioning system), AGPS (assisted global positioning system), or other local positioning systems, for example. In one embodiment, the tracking system is configured for feedback capabilities that detect irregular positions and modify the image data transmitted. For example, the tracking system detects if an assigned spectator display device is not positioned in the corresponding spectator position, if a spectator position no longer had a spectator display device, or if the spectator display device had ceased functioning. Further, the tracking system reprocesses and adjusts the image data to be transmitted in order to maintain the desired display image in spite of the irregularities. In one embodiment, if the assigned spectator display device is positioned slightly off from the position desired relative to the corresponding spectator position, the tracking system reprocesses and adjusts the image data to be transmitted to that spectator display device in order to maintain the desired display image. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the plurality of the spectator display devices  106  is positioned within the spectator region  102 . 
     A spectator region  102  is located in any suitable venue  104  and is an area capable of arranging people in a configuration desirable for viewing an event, such as a sporting or entertainment event. Examples include a sports stadium, concert, or other performance. The spectator region  102  is located in any suitable environment, such as outdoors, exposed to ambient conditions, indoors, underwater, or partially exposed, for example, or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the individual spectator positions  108  are arranged and disposed within the spectator region  102  with the rows or seating positioned in any suitable arrangement, such as multi-level, staggered, tiered, curved, or single-level, for example, or combinations thereof. 
     In one embodiment, the display  100  has the illusion of a continuous image when viewed from a suitable distance within on beyond the venue  104 . In one embodiment, the display  100  represents suitable three-dimensional objects or images, or landscapes, for example. In one embodiment, the image graphic represents text, or forms a text string creating a message. In one embodiment, the display  100  includes a seat-mounted display  110  (see  FIG. 3 ) or a spectator-mounted display  114  (see  FIG. 4 ), or combinations thereof. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , in one embodiment, the seat-mounted display  110  including a plurality of the spectator display devices  106  is shown. The seat-mounted display  110  includes the display devices  106  arranged and disposed on or adjacent to a seat  112  within the spectator region  102 . Individual seats  112  correspond with the spectator position  108  display coordinates within the array map. In one embodiment, the seat  112  includes a fastening device  122 , such as a mounting sleeve or clamp, for example, to removably secure the spectator display device  106 . In one embodiment, the spectator display devices  106  are arranged and disposed to be spaced apart some predetermined distance from adjacent display devices. In one embodiment, the predetermined spacing includes three suitable parameters, such as x, y, and z, for example, corresponding to x as horizontal side-by-side distance, y as horizontal front-to-back distance, and z as vertical distance. In one embodiment, the predetermined spacing is from about 20 inches to about 4 feet, from about 20 inches to about 3 feet, from about 20 inches to about 30 inches, from about 2 feet to about 3 feet, from about 3 feet to about 4 feet, or any suitable range therein. In one embodiment, the predetermined spacing distance of the adjacent display devices is approximately the same distance as the center-to-center spacing of the adjacent seats  112  that the corresponding spectator display devices  106  are disposed on or adjacent to. In another embodiment, the predetermined spacing distance of the adjacent display devices is a different distance from the center-to-center spacing of the adjacent seats  112  that the corresponding spectator display devices  106  are disposed on or adjacent to. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , in one embodiment, the spectator-mounted display  114  including a plurality of the spectator display devices  106  is shown. The spectator-mounted display  114  includes the spectator display devices  106  arranged and disposed on or by a spectator  116  within the spectator region  102 . In one embodiment, the predetermined spacing distance of the adjacent display devices is approximately the same distance as the center-to-center spacing of the adjacent seats  112  assigned to the spectator  116  that the corresponding spectator display devices  106  are disposed on or by. In another embodiment, the predetermined spacing distance of the adjacent display devices is a different distance from the center-to-center spacing of the adjacent seats  112  that the corresponding spectator display devices  106  are disposed on or by. In one embodiment, the spectator-mounted display  114  is formed by the spectator  116  holding the spectator display device  106  in a suitable viewable position, such as in front of their face, facing toward the center of the venue  104 , for example. In one embodiment, the spectator-mounted display  114  is formed by the spectator  116  removably attaching or securing the spectator display device  106  to their person by suitable mounting, such as by headgear, or chest harness, for example, for a hands-free display. The spectator-mounted display  114  operates to encourage participation of the spectator  116  in the creation of performance art. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , in one embodiment, the spectator display device  106  for creating a display  100  in a venue  104  is shown. In one embodiment, the spectator display device  106  includes a display portion  118  and a handle  120  secured to or extending from the display portion  118 . In one embodiment, the display portion  118  includes one or more of light emitting elements  124  connected to the display portion  118 . In one embodiment, the display portion  118  includes a display controller  126  configured to control the light emitting elements  124 . In one embodiment, the display controller  126  is an independently controlled addressable controller. 
     In one embodiment, the light emitting elements  124  include light emitting diodes (LEDs), for example, or any suitable light emitting elements such as video strips, organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), fiber optic lights, fluorescent lights, incandescent lights, neon lights, polymer light emitting diodes, electroluminescent lights, or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the light emitting elements  124  include a grouping of red, green and blue LEDs, although in other embodiments, different numbers and colors of emitting elements are used. The light emitting elements  124  are a single unitary construction capable of providing a range of colored light and/or a range of intensity of light or a combined construction capable of providing the range of colored light and/or the range of intensity of light. In one embodiment, the light emitting elements  124  are configured for a modular grouping connected to a suitable board, such as a pluggable printed circuit board, for example, and are capable of quick disconnection from the display portion  118  for changing in or out. In one embodiment, the display portion  118  includes nine of the light emitting elements  124  connected to the display portion  118  in a spaced arrangement. The number and positioning of the light emitting elements  124  is suitable to provide the desired visual, video or combined image effect. 
     In one embodiment, the display portion  118  includes a cover panel  128  configured to allow light transmission while providing protection to the light emitting elements  124 . In one embodiment, the cover panel  128  is fabricated of a transparent polycarbonate with a scratch and UV resistant, antireflective coating, or any other suitable durable transparent or semi-transparent or semi-translucent material capable of supporting a predetermined structural load (as if sat or stepped upon, for example), and resisting cracking if dropped onto a concrete surface by a spectator  116 . In one embodiment, the spectator display device  106  housing is fabricated of a durable, moldable polymeric material, or any other suitable durable material capable of supporting a predetermined structural load and resisting impact fractures. In one embodiment, the spectator display device  106  includes a suitable resilient or elastomeric material to provide improved gripping and/or shock absorption. 
     In one embodiment, the spectator display device  106  includes a element controller  130  configured for control of each individual light emitting element  124 . In one embodiment, the spectator display device  106  includes or more light emitting elements  124  including independently controlled light emitting diodes. In one embodiment, the element controller  130  is an independently controlled addressable controller. In one embodiment, the display controller  126  controls one or more of the element controllers  130 . The light emitting elements  124  are controlled by any suitable single controller or series of controllers, such as a microprocessor, for example, which coordinate display of images and/or video. In one embodiment, the element controllers  130  are programmable controllers. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , in one embodiment, the display portion  118  includes a front side  129  and a rear side  131 . In one embodiment, the rear side  131  is not configured to create a display  100 . In one embodiment, the spectator display device  106  is configured to display an image on both the front side  129  and the rear side  131 . In one embodiment, the spectator display device  106  is controlled to display different images on the front side  129  and the rear side  131 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , in one embodiment, a system  132  for creating a display  100 , is shown. In one embodiment, the system  132  includes a plurality of spectator display devices  106  provided with image data  134 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 7 , in one embodiment, the system  132  includes a first spectator display device  106   a  and a second spectator display device  106   b . In one embodiment, at least a portion of the first spectator display device  106   a  is positioned within the spectator region  102  of the venue  104 . In one embodiment, the spectator display device  106  is configured to receive image data  134 , and at least one of the one or more light emitting elements  124  is capable of being activated based upon the image data  134 . In one embodiment, the display controller  126  is preprogrammed with image data  134 . In one embodiment, a composite image  136  is converted into the image data  134 . In one embodiment, the image data  134  provided is real-time data from a live feed. 
     In one embodiment, the spectator display device  106  is configured to activate at least one of the one or more light emitting elements  124  based upon the image data  134  to display a pixel image  138  or a sequence of pixel images  138 . In one embodiment, the spectator display device  106  is configured to display the pixel image  138  in real-time or substantially real-time from a live feed, for example, with little or no image data manipulation, such as by interpolation, morphing, and/or dissolving. In one embodiment, the spectator display devices  106  are driven by any suitable image, such as still image, live image, predefined video, animated image, or interactive image, for example. The plurality of spectator display devices  106  are arranged and disposed in the array map whereby the pixel images  138  produced are configured to form or create a substantially continuous display  100 , providing an illusion of a continuous image. 
     In one embodiment, the image data  134  is communicated by a remote controller  140 . In one embodiment, the remote controller  140  is capable of providing image data  134  to the spectator display devices  106 . In one embodiment, the remote controller  140  independently controls the spectator display devices  106 . In one embodiment, the control of spectator display devices  106  is provided by one or more controllers and includes any suitable programmable controller for coordinating video or image displays, such as a computer, computing device, or processor, for example, or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the remote controller  140  is operated by a predetermined suitable operator, such a performer, a player, an announcer, a producer, or a designated spectator (i.e., a winner of a privileged operator lottery or contest), for example. 
     In one embodiment, the spectator display devices  106  are connected to each other and/or the remote controller  140  by any suitable connection, including, but not limited to, a wired connection  142 , or other communication and/or power transmitting device. In one embodiment, the spectator display devices  106  control includes communication via a serial wired connection. In one embodiment, the spectator display devices  106  control includes communication via a wireless connection such as through an infrared (IR), radiofrequency (RF), other suitable wavelengths, or any other electromagnetic signal, for example. In one embodiment, the stream of image data  134  is transmitted to all the spectator display devices  106  to provide the desired visual display  100 . The addressable capability of the display controller  126  allows the individual spectator display devices  106  to receive and process the specific image data  134  transmitted for that corresponding device. The system  132  utilizes suitable software, hardware, video signals, image signals, controllers, media servers, control devices and electronics, and combinations thereof to generate, transmit, and process video and/or images for display of the pixel images  138  through the spectator display devices  106 . 
     In one embodiment, the spectator display devices  106  are powered from a local power source, such as one or more batteries arranged and disposed therein. In one embodiment, the spectator display devices  106  are powered by an external power source provided by a power cord, for example. In one embodiment, the external power is provided by power wiring run inside the same cable housing as the image data communication wiring. In one embodiment, the wired connection  142  includes power and/or signal capability. For example, the wired connection  142  includes one or more suitable electrical communication and/or power providing cables, such as fiber optic, coaxial cable, RCA cable, Ethernet cables, or copper-based wires or cables, or Ethernet cables. Referring again to  FIG. 5 , in one embodiment, the spectator display device  106  is configured to allow the signal/power connection to be attached on either side of or on multiple locations on the device. 
     In one embodiment, the activation based upon the image data  134  includes various control functions such as independently turning the display capability of the spectator display devices  106  on or off, for example. In one embodiment, the activation further includes independently controlling a level of intensity of the light emitting elements  124  to vary the brightness of light displayed, and/or independently controlling the light emitting elements  124  to vary the color displayed by each of the light emitting elements. In another embodiment, the light emitting elements  124  emit multiple colors of light simultaneously or at different times. In one embodiment, the activation includes various control sequences of operation such as independently controlling the light emitting elements  124  to vary the duration and sequences of light displayed, for example. In one embodiment, activation includes controlling all of the one or more light emitting elements  124  simultaneously. In one embodiment, activation includes controlling only a portion of the one or more light emitting elements  124 . In another embodiment, activation includes any combination of the above controls, or control of any suitable other features and properties of the spectator display device  106  affecting the formation of the pixel image  138 . In one embodiment, for example, the pixel image  138  is controlled to include the upper third of the light emitting elements  124  emitting red light at 50 percent intensity while the remaining light emitting elements  124  emit white light at 100 percent intensity, both simultaneously, for a duration of one minute. In one embodiment, the range of light intensity simultaneously displayed on one spectator display devices  106  is from about 30 percent to about 100 percent, from about 30 percent to about 50 percent, or from about 60 percent to about 80 percent, or any suitable range therein. 
     In one embodiment, the composite image  136  is converted into the image data  134  through use of an interpolation rendering algorithm. In this embodiment, the composite image  136  (a three dimensional model in a vector graphics format, for example), is converted into a raster image of pixels in a two dimensional plane for output or for storage. In one embodiment, the rendering algorithm includes a perspective projection transformation utilizing a regenerated frustum as the intermediated form factor. In one embodiment, the interpolation rendering algorithm includes an interpolation scaling algorithm. The scaling algorithm is utilized to enlarge or scale up the image to create the display  100  in the desired venue  104 , such as in a sports stadium, or concert, for example. 
     In one embodiment, a process of creating a display  100  having an illusion of a continuous image includes providing image data  134  to a plurality of spectator display devices  106 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 7 , in one embodiment, the process includes providing image data  134  to a first spectator display device  106   a , the first spectator display device  106   a  having one or more light emitting elements  124 , and providing image data  134  to a second spectator display device  106   b . The process includes activating at least one of the one or more light emitting elements  124  based upon the image data  134 . In one embodiment, the process includes converting the composite image  136  into the image data  134 . In one embodiment, the process includes the spectator display devices  106  positioned within a spectator region of a venue  104  (see  FIG. 1 ). 
     In one embodiment, the conversion of the composite image  136  into the image data  134  includes creating a fullscreen digital pixelated image having a plurality of digital pixels. In one embodiment, each digital pixel includes digital pixel image data. The digital pixel image data includes corresponding electronic properties such as position coordinates in a digital array grid, a predetermined color, and a predetermined intensity, for example. In one embodiment, the process further includes assigning all or a portion of the digital pixel image data to corresponding all or a portion of the corresponding spectator position  108  display coordinates within the array map of the venue  104 . In one embodiment, the image data  134  corresponds with a portion of the display  100 . In one embodiment, the process further includes wherein the image data  134  includes the digital pixel image data. 
     In one embodiment, the image data  134  used to form the pixel image  138  takes into account the predetermined viewing angle of display  100  with respect to a surface or object, such as a stage, a performer, or an overhead blimp, for example. In one embodiment, the conversion of the composite image  136  into the image data  134  includes utilizing the coordinates of a focal object at the venue, such as a stage performer, for example, as the focal point for determining one or more viewing angles for the pixel image  138 . 
     While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.