Patent Publication Number: US-2013235265-A1

Title: Video display system

Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates to display systems. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to video display systems associated with substantially horizontally positioned activity areas. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Electronic displays for use in advertising are well known in the art. Such electronic displays find use in advertising applications in a variety of environments. In recent years, flat-panel display technologies have been developed, such as plasma, LCD, LED and other types of vertically mounted displays, such as may be used in forming billboards or secured to vertically extending structures or vertically suspended from such structures for use with other public venues. 
     However, known video displays, particularly for advertising on billboards and similar structures, have previously been limited to vertical mounting arrangements. In a public performance venue held in a structure having an elevated viewing area that surrounds the venue, e.g., forming a closed circular or oval shape, even a large, single vertically mounted display area suffers from the drawback that it could typically not be simultaneously viewable by substantially all of the audience; requiring multiple displays. 
     Therefore, there is an unmet need to provide a system having a display area that is viewable by substantially all of a similarly situated audience viewing a public performance. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     One aspect of the disclosure includes a video display system including a substantially horizontally positioned activity area. A plurality of modules operatively associated with the activity area is arranged to form a display area, each of the modules including at least one light source. The modules cooperatively display light to display at least one of video and images. 
     A further aspect of the disclosure includes a method of displaying video. The method includes providing a video display system having a substantially horizontally positioned activity area and a plurality of modules associated with the activity area and being arranged to form a display area, each of the modules including at least one light source. The method includes cooperatively displaying light with the modules to display at least one of video and images. 
     An advantage of the present disclosure is that the video display system is portable and re-usable. 
     Another advantage of the present disclosure is a video display system having modules that resemble the surrounding surface of the activity area when the system is not in operation. 
     It is to be understood that one or more of the above-referenced advantages may be contained in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     Further aspects of the method and system are disclosed herein. The features as discussed above, as well as other features and advantages of the present disclosure, will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a video display system. 
         FIG. 2  shows an enlarged, partial perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1  of a video display system. 
         FIG. 3  shows a plan view of another exemplary embodiment of a video display system. 
         FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of a module of a video display system according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of a module of a video display system according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  shows an enlarged, partial perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1  of a video display system. 
         FIG. 7  shows a cross section taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6  of an embodiment of a video display system. 
         FIG. 8  shows a cross section taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6  of another embodiment of a video display system. 
         FIG. 9  shows a cross section similar to that taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6  of yet another embodiment of a video display system. 
         FIG. 10  shows a plan view of another exemplary embodiment of a video display system. 
         FIG. 11  shows a cross section taken along line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 10  of an embodiment of a video display system. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough description of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the invention. 
     What is provided are video display systems formed in substantially horizontal activity areas, such as base structures or floors of public venues, for example, sports stadiums for advertising, informational or other applications. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of a video display system  10 . The video display system  10  includes a plurality of modules  16  operatively associated with an activity area  12  associated with a public performance. Without intending to be limiting, a public performance may include athletic performances, cultural performances, entertainment performances and combinations thereof. In other words, a public performance is intended to include any basis for a public gathering. As further shown in  FIG. 1 , activity area  12  is a basketball court, normally having a substantially horizontal, planar surface contained within the boundary lines of the basketball court. However, modules  16  may be arranged together on or within ( FIG. 2 ) activity area  12  to form a display area  18  that may encompass one or more portions of the activity area. In one embodiment, display area  18  may substantially coincide in areal size and/or profile or shape with activity area  12 , although in another embodiment, the display area may be larger in areal size than the activity area. That is, with respect to  FIG. 1 , display area  18  may extend outside of the borders of the basketball court. Modules  16  forming display area  18  may be arranged in a low-resolution or high-resolution video configuration. 
     In another embodiment, it is to be understood that the activity areas may also include non-horizontal regions, such as portions of stairs, or multi-level stages, including interconnecting structures, such as ramps that may be associated with a public performance, such as a stage associated with a musical performance. In addition, such non-horizontal regions may extend above or below adjacent or surrounding portions of the activity area. In one embodiment, display area  18  is an area of sufficient size to be viewable at some distance from the video display system, such as at least the distance from which an audience member could normally view the activity area. In one arrangement, for purposes of an enclosed or substantially enclosed structure, such as a stadium, the distance could be associated with seating or other regions capable of being occupied by an audience, such as “standing room only” sections that are positioned at the greatest distance from the activity area within the stadium. 
     The size of sports stadiums has continued to increase, the largest currently having a circular footprint of 207,000 square meters (1,684 feet in diameter). Alternately, structures  40  or stadiums with seating  34  surrounding activity area  12  may be non-circular, such as oval as shown in  FIG. 3 , having distances from the activity area which may or may not be greater than comparably sized stadiums or structures configured it for public performances. Accordingly, the display area would desirably be sufficiently large to be viewable from distances approaching, if not exceeding that of the largest highway signs, which signs being viewable from distances from up to about 500 feet or up to about 2,500 feet. 
     Modules  16  include one or more colored light sources  14  ( FIGS. 4-5 ), such as light emitting diodes (LEDs). In one embodiment, such as further shown in  FIG. 4 , colored light sources include a grouping of red, green and blue LEDs, although in other embodiments, different numbers and colors of light sources may be used, if desired. The light sources  14  may be controlled by any suitable control means (not shown) known in the art for providing images and/or video. The light sources may include, for example, organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), incandescent bulbs, fluorescent bulbs, polymer light emitting diodes, electroluminescent lights, other suitable light emitting sources, and/or a combination of light emitting units. Modules  16  may be provided as individual elongate units or may be units of alternate geometries or groupings of units, such as contained in a housing  26  ( FIG. 5 ) that provide the desired visual, video or combined effect. Modules  16  can be individually or collectively secured to activity area  12  ( FIG. 9 ), such as by containing module  16  inside a layer or shield  50 , which shield overlying the activity area. Alternately, modules  16  may be formed inside of activity area  12  ( FIGS. 7-8 ). 
     As shown in the figures, modules  16  are preferably in communication with each other and controlled by a single controller or a series of controllers, which coordinate display area  18 . Modules  16  may be connected to each other and/or the controller by any suitable means, including, but not limited to, wired connections  36  ( FIGS. 4-5 ) or wireless connections. In one embodiment, video or image information may be transmitted to modules  16  to provide the desired visual display. Video display system  10  may use video signals, image signals, controllers and the control systems known in the art for providing video and/or images to LED systems. 
     The control of modules  16  may be provided by the same controller or may be provided by one or more controllers and may comprise or include a computing device. 
       FIGS. 6-8  show exemplary arrangements of modules  16  operatively associated with display area  18  of activity area  12 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , an aperture  22 , such as a plurality of substantially aligned openings of different sizes having a common center axis  42 , also commonly referred to as a counterbore, may be formed through display area  18 . As further shown in  FIG. 7 , adjacent openings formed in aperture  22  define shoulders  27 ,  28 . For example, shoulder  28  supports module  16  inside of activity area  12 . In addition, shoulder  27  supports a transparent cover  32  positioned above cover  32 . Cover  32  is preferably a rigid substantially transparent material capable of protecting the modules  16  mounted underneath. Suitable materials for fabricating cover  32  include, but are not limited to, plexiglass, glass, polymeric and other substantially rigid transparent or semi-transparent material. In one embodiment, cover  32  is configured to resemble the surrounding surface of activity area  12  when video display system  10  is not in operation. That is, when the video display system is not being used, it may be desirable for covers  32  to blend with and substantially hide modules  16 , as desirable. As further shown in  FIG. 7 , cover  32  is recessed with respect to a surface of the surrounding area of display area  18  of activity area  12 . While not so limited, cover  32  is preferably maintained at a position above the light source  14  that provides a gap sufficient to provide cooling for the light source and to provide an aesthetically pleasing view of the display provided by the modules  16 . In addition, the substantially transparent cover may be fabricated to seal the modules from exposure to environmental conditions, particularly in outdoor applications. 
     As yet further shown in  FIG. 7 , substantially transparent shield  20  overlies at least a portion, if not the entire surface, of display area  18  of activity area  12 . In one embodiment, in which activity area  12  is primarily associated with athletic performances, such as a basketball court, shield  20  may be applied directly onto the surface of display area  18 . Shield  20  may be a varnish or lacquer or other suitable material, whether applied onto the surface of display area  18  in liquid or a roll of material requiring further processing, ultimately resulting in a virtually planar surface that would provide substantially uniform structural properties along the entire surface of activity area  12 , as would be required of a high quality basketball court (or of the surface of the current athletic/entertainment performance of interest). 
     As yet further shown in  FIG. 8 , substantially transparent shield  20  overlies at least a portion, if not the entire surface, of display area  18  of activity area  12 . In one embodiment, in which activity area  12  is primarily associated with athletic performances, such as a basketball court, shield  20  may be applied directly onto and bonded with the surface of display area  18 . As further shown in  FIG. 8 , aperture  106  includes adjacent openings formed in activity area  12 , the juncture between adjacent openings defining shoulder  30  for supports module  16 . A cover, such as cover  32  in  FIG. 7 , is not provided in the embodiment of  FIG. 8 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , modules  16  can be individually or collectively secured to activity area  12  ( FIG. 9 ), such as by containing module  16  inside a layer or shield  50 , which shield overlying the activity area. Modules  16  may be positioned inside of pockets  54  formed in shield  50 . Grooves  52  are formed in shield  50 , as required, to permit wired connections  36  to extend between shield  50  and display area  18  of activity area  12 . 
       FIG. 10  shows an activity area  12  that resembles a football field, also referred to as a gridiron. As further shown in  FIG. 10 , display areas  18  are shown corresponding to corners of the football field. It is to be understood that the display areas are not limited to these locations. As further shown in  FIG. 11 , display area  18  of activity area  12  may include a module composed fiber optic tubes  11 . Fiber optic tubes  11  each containing a plurality of filaments may utilize LEDs as a light source, or other suitable light source. Tubes  11  should be of substantially the same color, or be substantially transparent as the grass or turf of the activity area such as to blend in with the surrounding tufts of grass or turf of the activity area or be concealed or camouflaged from view by the audience when the system is not in operation. In another embodiment, display area  18  may encompass the entire area of the football field. It is to be understood that the activity area can include other indoor/outdoor grass or turf activity areas, including, but not limited to, soccer fields, rugby fields, baseball fields, raceways, such as raceway regions inside the race tracks, commonly referred to as “infields”, or in another embodiment, modules could be formed in at least portions of the track itself. 
     It is to be understood that irrespective the installation of the activity area, whether the activity area represents a permanent, non-removeable installation, or represents an activity area that may be portable, frequently removed/re-installed in portions, such as is the case with multi-purpose facilities. For example, portion  24  ( FIG. 1 ) of activity area  12  includes features formed in or applied to the opposed surface of the activity area or applicable portions thereof, such as grooves, connections, conductive spray coatings applied to underside of portions so as to be compatible with connections  36 , such as wire connections of modules  16  of the video display system. 
     In another embodiment, connections  36  may include power and/or signal functionality. For example, connections  36  may be one or more communication and/or power providing cables, such as fiber optic or copper-based wires or cables, or Ethernet cables. 
     In yet another embodiment, connections  36  may be wires, such as power cords, run along-side cables and connected to a controller (not shown). In one embodiment, the wires and the cables may be integrated. In another embodiment, the wires may be integrated by being circumferentially bounded by cables, providing structural support. 
     Modules  16  can be one or more light emitting devices. For example, the light emitting devices may be light emitting diodes (LEDs) housed within a housing that may be transparent, translucent, semi-transparent, semi-translucent, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the LEDs may be configured to emit colored light based upon a signal from controller (not shown). In another embodiment, the modules  16  may emit a single color of light. In another embodiment, the modules  16  may emit multiple colors of light simultaneously or at different times. In yet another embodiment, multiple LEDs may be housed within the same module  16 . In yet another embodiment, with the multiple LEDs housed in the same modules  16 , LEDs may be configured to emit multiple colors such that the different colors are mixed within modules  16  thereby permitting additional control of the video or images displayed. 
     In one embodiment, modules  16  may be powered by individual batteries housed with LEDs or other light sources. In another embodiment, LED can have a battery power source and another LED can use the battery as a power source by having wires carrying power from other LEDs. 
     Another embodiment includes OLEDs as LEDs. OLEDs may reduce power requirements and permit longer operation on the same charge. OLEDs may permit modules  16  to run on the same charge for a long period of time, for example, by providing power to the OLEDs and then disconnecting the power source from the OLEDs, and then displaying the system. 
     While the disclosure 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 disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this disclosure, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.