Patent Publication Number: US-2021192991-A1

Title: Modular Display Panel

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/396,011 filed on Apr. 26, 2019, which is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/885,284 filed on Jan. 31, 2018, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,380,925, which is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/866,294 filed on Jan. 9, 2018, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,978,294, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/369,304 filed on Dec. 5, 2016, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,916,782, which is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/162,439 filed on May 23, 2016, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,513,863, which is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/850,632 filed on Sep. 10, 2015, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,349,306, which is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/444,719 filed on Jul. 28, 2014, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,134,773. U.S. application Ser. No. 14/444,719 claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/025,463, filed on Jul. 16, 2014 and also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/922,631, filed on Dec. 31, 2013. 
     U.S. application Ser. No. 16/396,011 is also a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/881,524 filed on Jan. 26, 2018, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,373,535, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/369,304 filed on Dec. 5, 2016, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,916,782, which is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/162,439 filed on May 23, 2016, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,513,863, which is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/850,632 filed on Sep. 10, 2015, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,349,306, which is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/444,719 filed on Jul. 28, 2014, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,134,773, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/025,463, filed on Jul. 16, 2014 and also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/922,631, filed on Dec. 31, 2013. U.S. application Ser. No. 16/396,011 is also a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/989,461 filed on May 25, 2018, which is a continuation of application of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/881,394, filed on Jan. 26, 2018, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,984,603, which is a continuation application of Ser. No. 15/369,304 filed on Dec. 5, 2016, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,916,782, which is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/162,439, filed on May 23, 2016, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,513,863, which is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/850,632 filed on Sep. 10, 2015, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,349,306, which is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/444,719 filed on Jul. 28, 2014, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,134,773, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/025,463, filed on Jul. 16, 2014 and also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/922,631, filed on Dec. 31, 2013. 
     U.S. application Ser. No. 16/396,011 is also a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/989,526 filed on May 25, 2018, which is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/881,394 filed on Jan. 26, 2018, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,984,603, which is a continuation application of Ser. No. 15/369,304 filed on Dec. 5, 2016, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,916,782, which is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/162,439 filed on May 23, 2016, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,513,863, which is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/850,632 filed on Sep. 10, 2015, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,349,306, which is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/444,719 filed on Jul. 28, 2014, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,134,773, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/025,463, filed on Jul. 16, 2014 and also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/922,631, filed on Dec. 31, 2013. 
     U.S. application Ser. No. 16/396,011 is also a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/004,084 filed on Jun. 8, 2018, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,410,552, which is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/962,572 filed Apr. 25, 2018, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,540,917, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/885,284 filed Jan. 31, 2018, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,380,925, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/866,294 filed on Jan. 9, 2018, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,978,294, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/369,304 filed on Dec. 5, 2016, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,916,782, which is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/162,439 filed on May 23, 2016, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,513,863, which is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/850,632 filed on Sep. 10, 2015, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,349,306, which is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/444,719, filed on Jul. 28, 2014 now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,134,773, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/025,463, filed on Jul. 16, 2014 and also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/922,631, filed on Dec. 31, 2013. 
     All of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/328,624, filed Jul. 10, 2014, also claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/922,631 and is also incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     The following patents and applications are related: 
     U.S. Pat. App. No. 61/922,631, filed Dec. 31, 2013 (now expired) 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/328,624, filed Jul. 10, 2014 (now abandoned) 
     U.S. Pat. App. No. 62/025,463, filed Jul. 16, 2014 (now expired) 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/341,678, filed Jul. 25, 2014 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,195,281) 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/444,719, filed Jul. 28, 2014 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,134,773) 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/444,747, filed Jul. 28, 2014 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,069,519) 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/444,775, filed Jul. 28, 2014 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,081,552) 
     U.S. Pat. App. No. 62/065,510, filed Oct. 17, 2014 (now expired) 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/550,685, filed Nov. 21, 2014 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,582,237) 
     U.S. Pat. App. No. 62/093,157, filed Dec. 17, 2014 (now expired) 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/582,908, filed Dec. 24, 2014 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,416,551) 
     U.S. Pat. App. No. PCT/US2014/072373, filed Dec. 24, 2014 (now expired) 
     U.S. Pat. App. No. 62/113,342, filed Feb. 6, 2015 (now expired) 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/627,923, filed Feb. 20, 2015 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,131,600) 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/641,130, filed Mar. 6, 2015 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,164,722) 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/641,189, filed Mar. 6, 2015 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,528,283) 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/664,526, filed Mar. 20, 2015 (now abandoned) 
     U.S. Pat. App. No. 62/158,707, filed May 8, 2015 (now expired) 
     U.S. Pat. App. No. 62/158,989, filed May 8, 2015 (now expired) 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/720,544, filed May 22, 2015 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,706,770) 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/720,560, filed May 22, 2015 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,207,904) 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/720,610, filed May 22, 2015 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,311,847) 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/829,469, filed Aug. 18, 2015 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,226,413) 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/850,632, filed Sep. 10, 2015 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,349,306) 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/948,939, filed Nov. 23, 2015 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,535,650) 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/981,561, filed Dec. 28, 2015 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,372,659) 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/162,439, filed May 23, 2016 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,513,863) 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/331,681, filed Oct. 21, 2016 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,061,553) 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/369,304, filed Dec. 5, 2016 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,916,782) 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/390,277, filed Dec. 23, 2016 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,940,856) 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/396,102, filed Dec. 30, 2016 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,642,272) 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/409,288, filed Jan. 18, 2017 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,248,372) 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/582,059, filed Apr. 28, 2017 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,832,897) 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/802,241, filed Nov. 2, 2017 (now abandoned) 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/866,294, filed Jan. 9, 2018 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,978,294) 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/880,295, filed Jan. 25, 2018 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,990,869) 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/881,394, filed Jan. 26, 2018 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,984,603) 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/881,524, filed Jan. 26, 2018 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,373,535) 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/885,284, filed Jan. 31, 2018 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,380,925) 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/926,772, filed Mar. 20, 2018 (now abandoned) 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/962,572, filed Apr. 25, 2018 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,540,917) 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/989,461, filed May 25, 2018 (now abandoned) 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/989,526, filed May 25, 2018 (now abandoned) 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/004,084, filed Jun. 8, 2018 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,410,552) 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/059,973, filed Aug. 9, 2018 (co-pending) 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/269,356, filed Feb. 6, 2019 (co-pending) 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/396,011, filed Apr. 26, 2019 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,741,107) 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to displays, and, in particular embodiments, to a system and method for a modular multi-panel display. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Large displays (e.g., billboards), such as those commonly used for advertising in cities and along roads, generally have one or more pictures and/or text that are to be displayed under various light and weather conditions. As technology has advanced and introduced new lighting devices such as the light emitting diode (LED), such advances have been applied to large displays. An LED display is a flat panel display, which uses an array of light-emitting diodes. A large display may be made of a single LED display or a panel of smaller LED panels. LED panels may be conventional panels made using discrete LEDs or surface-mounted device (SMD) panels. Most outdoor screens and some indoor screens are built around discrete LEDs, which are also known as individually mounted LEDs. A cluster of red, green, and blue diodes is driven together to form a full-color pixel, usually square in shape. These pixels are spaced evenly apart and are measured from center to center for absolute pixel resolution. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the invention relate to lighting systems and, more particularly, to multi-panel lighting systems for providing interior or exterior displays. 
     In one embodiment, a modular display panel comprises a casing having a recess. The casing comprises locking points for use in attachment to an adjacent casing of another modular display panel. A printed circuit board is disposed in the recess and a plurality of LEDs attached to the printed circuit board. A driver circuit is attached to the printed circuit board. A heat sink is disposed between a back side of the casing and the printed circuit board. The heat sink thermally contacts the back side of the casing and the printed circuit board. A framework of louvers is disposed over the printed circuit board. The framework of louvers is disposed between rows of the plurality of LEDs. The framework of louvers is attached to the printed circuit board using an adhesive. 
     In another embodiment, a modular multi-panel display system comprises a mechanical support structure, and a plurality of LED display panels mounted to the mechanical support structure so as to form an integrated display panel. Each LED display panel includes a casing having a recess. The casing comprises interlocking attachment points that are attached to an adjacent LED display panel. Each LED display panel also includes a printed circuit board disposed in the recess. A plurality of LED modules is attached to the printed circuit board. Each LED display panel also includes a heat sink disposed between a back side of the casing and the printed circuit board. The heat sink thermally contacts the back side of the casing and the printed circuit board. Each LED display panel is hermetically sealed and exposed to the environment without use of any cabinets. The display system is cooled passively and includes no air conditioning, fans, or heating units. 
     In yet another embodiment, a modular display panel comprises a plastic housing having a recess, and a printed circuit board disposed in the recess. A plurality of LEDs is attached to the printed circuit board. A transparent potting compound overlies the LEDs. A driver circuit is attached to the printed circuit board. A heat sink is disposed between a back side of the housing and the printed circuit board. The heat sink thermally contacts the back side of the housing and the printed circuit board. A power supply is mounted outside the plastic housing. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate one embodiment of a display that may be provided according to the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 2A-2C  illustrate one embodiment of a lighting panel that may be used with the display of  FIGS. 1A and 1B ; 
         FIGS. 3A-3I  illustrate one embodiment of a housing and an alignment plate that may be used with the panel of  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate a more detailed embodiment of the panel of  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the panel of  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate a more detailed embodiment of the panel of  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the panel of  FIG. 6A ; 
         FIGS. 8A-8M  illustrate one embodiment of a frame that may be used with the display of  FIGS. 1A and 1B ; 
         FIGS. 9A-9C  illustrate one embodiment of a locking mechanism that may be used with the display of  FIGS. 1A and 1B ; 
         FIGS. 10A-10D  illustrate one embodiment of a display configuration; 
         FIGS. 11A-11D  illustrate another embodiment of a display configuration; 
         FIGS. 12A-12D  illustrate yet another embodiment of a display configuration; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a modular display panel in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a modular display panel attached to a supporting frame in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a frame used to provide mechanical support to the modular display panel in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 16A-16E  illustrate an attachment plate used to attach one or more modular display panels to the frame in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, wherein  FIG. 16A  illustrates a projection view while  FIG. 16B  illustrates a top view and  FIG. 16C  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment while  FIG. 16D  illustrates a bottom view and  FIG. 16  E illustrates a bottom view of a second embodiment; 
         FIG. 17  illustrates a magnified view of the attachment plate or a connecting plate, frame, and display panel after mounting in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 18  illustrates one unit of the modular display panel in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 19  illustrates a magnified view of two display panels next to each other and connected through the cables such that the output cable of the left display panel is connected with the input cable of the next display panel in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 20  illustrates a modular multi-panel display system comprising a plurality of LED display panels connected together using the afore-mentioned cables in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 21A-21C  illustrate an alternative embodiment of the modular display panel attached to a supporting frame in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, wherein  FIGS. 21B and 21C  illustrate alternative structural embodiments of the supporting frame; 
         FIG. 22  illustrates a method of assembling a modular multi-panel display system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 23  illustrates a method of maintaining a modular multi-panel display that includes a mechanical support structure and a plurality of LED display panels detachably coupled to the mechanical support structure without a cabinet in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 24A-24C  illustrate a display panel in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, wherein  FIG. 24A  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a display panel while  FIG. 24B  illustrates a schematic of the display panel, and wherein  FIG. 24C  illustrates a schematic of the LED array as controlled by the receiver circuit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 25A-25D  illustrate a display panel in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, wherein  FIG. 25A  illustrates a projection view of the back side of the display panel,  FIG. 25B  illustrates a planar back side of the display panel, and  FIG. 25C  illustrates a planar bottom view while  FIG. 25D  illustrates a side view; 
         FIG. 26  illustrates a planar view of a portion of the front side of the display panel in according with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 27A-27C  illustrate cross-sectional views of the framework of louvers at the front side of the display panel in according with an embodiment of the present invention, wherein  FIG. 27  illustrates a cross-sectional along a direction perpendicular to the orientation of the plurality of ridges  1632  along the line  27 - 27  in  FIG. 26 ; 
         FIG. 28  illustrates a plurality of display panels arranged next to each other in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 29A-29D  illustrates a schematic of a control system for modular multi-panel display system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, wherein  FIG. 29A  illustrates a controller connected to the receiver box through a wired network connection, wherein  FIG. 29B  illustrates a controller connected to the receiver box through a wireless network connection, wherein  FIGS. 29C and 29D  illustrate the power transmission scheme used in powering the modular multi-panel display system; 
         FIG. 30  illustrates a schematic of a sending card of the control system for modular multi-panel display system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 31  illustrates a schematic of a data receiver box for modular multi-panel display system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 32  illustrates a method of assembling a modular multi-panel display in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 33  illustrates a cross-sectional view of an integrated data and power cord in accordance with embodiments; 
         FIGS. 34A and 34B  illustrate cross-sectional views of connectors at the ends of the integrated data and power cable in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, wherein  FIG. 34A  illustrates a first connector that is configured to fit or lock into a second connector illustrated in  FIG. 34B ; 
         FIGS. 35A and 35B  illustrate cross-sectional views showing the first connector locked with the second connector in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, wherein  FIG. 35A  illustrates the first connector aligned to the second connector, while  FIG. 35B  illustrates the first connector securely locked to the second connector with the sealing cover sealing the connectors; 
         FIGS. 36A and 36B  illustrate one embodiment of the first connector previously illustrated in  FIG. 34A  and  FIGS. 35A and 35B , wherein  FIG. 36A  illustrates a planar top view while  FIG. 36B  illustrates a projection view; 
         FIGS. 37A and 37B  illustrate one embodiment of the second connector previously illustrated in  FIG. 34B  and  FIGS. 35A and 35B , wherein  FIG. 37A  illustrates a planar top view while  FIG. 37B  illustrates a projection view; 
         FIGS. 38A-38D  illustrate specific examples of an assembled display system; 
         FIG. 38E  illustrates a specific example of a frame that can be used with the system of  FIGS. 38A-38D ; 
         FIG. 39  illustrates an assembled multi-panel display that is ready for shipment; and 
         FIGS. 40A and 40B  illustrate a lower cost panel that can be used with embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
     In the following discussion, exterior displays are used herein for purposes of example. It is understood that the present disclosure may be applied to lighting for any type of interior and/or exterior display. 
     Embodiments of the invention provide display panels, each of which provides a completely self-contained building block that is lightweight. These displays are designed to protect against weather, without a heavy cabinet. The panel can be constructed of aluminum or plastic so that it will about 50% lighter than typical panels that are commercially available. The lightweight design allows for easier installation and maintenance, thus lowering total cost of ownership. 
     In certain embodiments, the display is IP 67 rated and therefore waterproof and corrosion resistant. Because weather is the number one culprit for damage to LED displays, and IP 67 rating provides weatherproofing with significant weather protection. These panels are completely waterproof against submersion in up to 3 feet of water. In other embodiments, the equipment can be designed with an IP 68 rating to operate completely underwater. In lower-cost embodiments where weatherproofing is not as significant, the panels can have an IP 65 or IP 66 rating. 
     One aspect takes advantage of a no cabinet design-new technology that replaces cabinets, which are necessary in commercial embodiments. Older technology incorporates the use of cabinets in order to protect the LED display electronics from rain. This creates an innate problem in that the cabinet must not allow rain to get inside to the electronics, while at the same time the cabinet must allow for heat created by the electronics and ambient heat to escape. 
     Embodiments that do not use this cabinet technology avoid a multitude of problems inherent to cabinet-designed displays. One of the problems that has been solved is the need to effectively cool the LED display. Most LED manufacturers must use air-conditioning (HVAC) to keep their displays cool. This technology greatly increases the cost of installation and performance. 
     Displays of the present invention can be designed to be light weight and easy to handle. For example, the average total weight of a 20 mm, 14′×48′ panel can be 5,500 pounds or less while typical commercially available panels are at 10,000 to 12,000 pounds. These units are more maneuverable and easier to install saving time and money in the process. 
     Embodiments of the invention provide building block panels that are configurable with future expandability. These displays can offer complete expandability to upgrade in the future without having to replace the entire display. Installation is fast and easy with very little down-time, which allows any electronic message to be presented more quickly. 
     In some embodiments, the display panels are “hot swappable.” By removing one screw in each of the four corners of the panel, servicing the display is fast and easy. Since a highly-trained, highly-paid electrician or LED technician is not needed to correct a problem, cost benefits can be achieved. 
     Various embodiments utilize enhanced pixel technology (EPT), which increases image capability. EPT allows image displays in the physical pitch spacing, but also has the ability to display the image in a resolution that is four-times greater. Images will be as sharp and crisp when viewed close as when viewed from a distance, and at angles. 
     In embodiments of the invention, a number of different resolution display panels are manufactured and sold but each of these panels is made to have the same physical dimensions. This approach saves cost because standard-size components can be used for the various models of displays that are available. In other words, instead of maintaining inventory of eight different size housings for a product line that includes eight different resolution display panels, a single inventory can be kept. This can lower inventory costs. 
     Table 1 provides an example of the pitches used for a product line that includes eight different resolution display panels. Each of these panels may have dimensions of one foot by two feet. The pitch and type of LED used is provided in Table 1. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 6.35 
                 mm SMD Physical 
               
               
                 7.62 
                 mm SMD Physical 
               
               
                 9.525 
                 mm SMD Physical 
               
               
                 12.7 
                 mm SMD Physical 
               
               
                 15.24 
                 mm DIP Physical 
               
               
                 19.05 
                 mm DIP Virtual 
               
               
                 25.4 
                 mm DIP Virtual 
               
               
                 30.48 
                 mm DIP Virtual 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     In some embodiments it is advantageous to build multipanel displays where each of the LEDs is provided by a single LED manufacturer, so that diodes of different origin in the manufacture are not mixed. It has been discovered that diode consistency can aid in the quality of the visual image. While this feature is not necessary, it is helpful because displays made from different diodes from different suppliers can create patchy inconsistent color, e.g., “pink” reds and pink looking casts to the overall image. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , one embodiment of a multi-panel display  100  is illustrated. The display  100  includes a display surface  102  that is formed by multiple lighting panels  104   a - 104   t . In the present embodiment, the panels  104   a - 104   t  use light emitting diodes (LEDs) for illumination, but it is understood that other light sources may be used in other embodiments. The panels  104   a - 104   t  typically operate together to form a single image, although multiple images may be simultaneously presented by the display  100 . In the present example, the panels  104   a - 104   t  are individually attached to a frame  106 , which enables each panel to be installed or removed from the frame  106  without affecting the other panels. 
     Each panel  104   a - 104   t  is a self-contained unit that couples directly to the frame  106 . By “directly,” it is understood that another component or components may be positioned between the panel  104   a - 104   t  and the frame  106 , but the panel is not placed inside a cabinet that is coupled to the frame  106 . For example, an alignment plate (described later but not shown in the present figure) may be coupled to a panel and/or the frame  106  to aid in aligning a panel with other panels. Further a corner plate could be used. The panel may then be coupled to the frame  106  or the alignment plate and/or corner plate, and either coupling approach would be “direct” according to the present disclosure. 
     Two or more panels  104   a - 104   t  can be coupled for power and/or data purposes, with a panel  104   a - 104   t  receiving power and/or data from a central source or another panel and passing through at least some of the power and/or data to one or more other panels. This further improves the modular aspect of the display  100 , as a single panel  104   a - 104   t  can be easily connected to the display  100  when being installed and easily disconnected when being removed by decoupling the power and data connections from neighboring panels. 
     The power and data connections for the panels  104   a - 104   t  may be configured using one or more layouts, such as a ring, mesh, star, bus, tree, line, or fully-connected layout, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments the LED panels  104   a - 104   t  may be in a single network, while in other embodiments the LED panels  104   a - 104   t  may be divided into multiple networks. Power and data may be distributed using identical or different layouts. For example, power may be distributed in a line layout, while data may use a combination of line and star layouts. 
     The frame  106  may be relatively light in weight compared to frames needed to support cabinet mounted LED assemblies. In the present example, the frame  106  includes only a top horizontal member  108 , a bottom horizontal member  110 , a left vertical member  112 , a right vertical member  114 , and intermediate vertical members  116 . Power cables and data cables (not shown) for the panels  104   a - 104   t  may route around and/or through the frame  106 . 
     In one example, the display  100  includes 336 panels  104   a - 104   t , e.g., to create a 14′×48′ display. As will be discussed below, because each panel is lighter than typical panels, the entire display could be built to weigh only 5500 pounds. This compares favorably to commercially available displays of the size, which generally weigh from 10,000 to 12,000 pounds. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2A-2C , one embodiment of an LED panel  200  is illustrated that may be used as one of the LED panels  104   a - 104   t  of  FIGS. 1A  and B.  FIG. 2A  illustrates a front view of the panel  200  with LEDs aligned in a 16×32 configuration.  FIG. 2B  illustrates a diagram of internal components within the panel  200 .  FIG. 2C  illustrates one possible configuration of a power supply positioned within the panel  200  relative to a back plate of the panel  200 . 
     Referring specifically to  FIG. 2A , in the present example, the LED panel  200  includes a substrate  202  that forms a front surface of the panel  200 . The substrate  202  in the present embodiment is rectangular in shape, with a top edge  204 , a bottom edge  206 , a right edge  208 , and a left edge  210 . A substrate surface  212  includes “pixels”  214  that are formed by one or more LEDs  216  on or within the substrate  202 . In the present example, each pixel  214  includes four LEDs  216  arranged in a pattern (e.g., a square). For example, the four LEDs  216  that form a pixel  214  may include a red LED, a green LED, a blue LED, and one other LED (e.g., a white LED). In some embodiments, the other LED may be a sensor. It is understood that more or fewer LEDs  216  may be used to form a single pixel  214 , and the use of four LEDs  216  and their relative positioning as a square is for purposes of illustration only. 
     In some embodiments, the substrate  202  may form the entire front surface of the panel  200 , with no other part of the panel  200  being visible from the front when the substrate  202  is in place. In other embodiments, a housing  220  ( FIG. 2B ) may be partially visible at one or more of the edges of the substrate  202 . The substrate  202  may form the front surface of the panel  200 , but may not be the outer surface in some embodiments. For example, a transparent or translucent material or coating may overlay the substrate  202  and the LEDs  216 , thereby being positioned between the substrate  202 /LEDs  216  and the environment. 
     As one example, a potting material can be formed over the LEDs  216 . This material can be applied as a liquid, e.g., while heated, and then harden over the surface, e.g., when cooled. This potting material is useful for environmental protection, e.g., to achieve an IP rating of IP 65 or higher. 
     Louvers  218  may be positioned above each row of pixels  214  to block or minimize light from directly striking the LEDs  216  from certain angles. For example, the louvers  218  may be configured to extend from the substrate  202  to a particular distance and/or at a particular angle needed to completely shade each pixel  214  when a light source (e.g., the sun) is at a certain position (e.g., ten degrees off vertical). In the present example, the louvers  208  extend the entire length of the substrate  202 , but it is understood that other louver configurations may be used. 
     Referring specifically to  FIG. 2B , one embodiment of the panel  200  illustrates a housing  220 . The housing  220  contains circuitry  222  and a power supply  224 . The circuitry  222  is coupled to the LEDs  216  and is used to control the LEDs. The power supply  224  provides power to the LEDs  216  and circuitry  222 . As will be described later in greater detail with respect to two embodiments of the panel  200 , data and/or power may be received for only the panel  200  or may be passed on to one or more other panels as well. Accordingly, the circuitry  222  and/or power supply  224  may be configured to pass data and/or power to other panels in some embodiments. 
     In the present example, the housing  220  is sealed to prevent water from entering the housing. For example, the housing  220  may be sealed to have an ingress protection (IP) rating such as IP 67, which defines a level of protection against both solid particles and liquid. This ensures that the panel  200  can be mounted in inclement weather situations without being adversely affected. In such embodiments, the cooling is passive as there are no vent openings for air intakes or exhausts. In other embodiments, the housing may be sealed to have an IP rating of IP 65 or higher, e.g. IP 65, IP 66, IP 67, or IP 68. 
     Referring specifically to  FIG. 2C , one embodiment of the panel  200  illustrates how the power supply  224  may be thermally coupled to the housing  220  via a thermally conductive material  226  (e.g., aluminum). This configuration may be particularly relevant in embodiments where the panel  200  is sealed and cooling is passive. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3A-3I , one embodiment of a housing  300  is illustrated that may be used with one of the LED panels  104   a - 104   t  of  FIGS. 1A and 1B . For example, the housing  300  may be a more specific example of the housing  220  of  FIG. 2B . In  FIGS. 3B-3I , the housing  300  is shown with an alignment plate, which may be separate from the housing  300  or formed as part of the housing  300 . In the present example, the housing  300  may be made of a thermally conductive material (e.g., aluminum) that is relatively light weight and rigid. In other embodiments, the housing  300  could be made out of industrial plastic, which is even lighter than aluminum. 
     As shown in the orthogonal view of  FIG. 3A , the housing  300  defines a cavity  302 . Structural cross-members  304  and  306  may be used to provide support to a substrate (e.g., the substrate  202  of  FIG. 2A ) (not shown). The cross-members  304  and  306 , as well as other areas of the housing  300 , may include supports  308  against which the substrate can rest when placed into position. As shown, the supports  308  may include a relatively narrow tip section that can be inserted into a receiving hole in the back of the substrate and then a wider section against which the substrate can rest. 
     The housing  300  may also include multiple extensions  310  (e.g., sleeves) that provide screw holes or locations for captive screws that can be used to couple the substrate to the housing  300 . Other extensions  312  may be configured to receive pins or other protrusions from a locking plate and/or fasteners, which will be described later in greater detail. Some or all of the extensions  312  may be accessible only from the rear side of the housing  300  and so are not shown as openings in  FIG. 3A . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3B , an alignment plate  314  may be used with the housing  300 . The alignment plate is optional. The alignment plate  314 , when used, aids in aligning multiple panels on the frame  106  to ensure that the resulting display surface has correctly aligned pixels both horizontally and vertically. To accomplish this, the alignment plate  314  includes tabs  316  and slots  318  ( FIG. 3F ). Each tab  316  fits into the slot  318  of an adjoining alignment plate (if present) and each slot  318  receives a tab from an adjoining alignment plate (if present). This provides an interlocking series of alignment plates. As each alignment plate  314  is coupled to or part of a housing  300 , this results in correctly aligning the panels on the frame  106 . 
     It is understood that, in some embodiments, the alignment plate  314  may be formed as part of the panel or the alignment functionality provided by the alignment plate  314  may be achieved in other ways. In still other embodiments, a single alignment panel  314  may be formed to receive multiple panels, rather than a single panel as shown in  FIG. 3B . 
     In other embodiments, the alignment functionality is eliminated. The design choice of whether to use alignment mechanisms (e.g., slots and grooves) is based upon a tradeoff between the additional alignment capability and the ease of assembly. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3C , the housing  300  may include beveled or otherwise non-squared edges  320 . This shaping of the edges enables panels to be positioned in a curved display without having large gaps appear as would occur if the edges were squared. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , one embodiment of a panel  400  is illustrated that may be similar or identical to one of the LED panels  104   a - 104   t  of  FIGS. 1A and 1B . The panel  400  may be based on a housing  401  that is similar or identical to the housing  300  of  FIG. 3A .  FIG. 4A  illustrates a back view of the panel  400  and  FIG. 4B  illustrates a top view. The panel  400  has a width W and a height H. 
     In the present example, the back includes a number of connection points that include a “power in” point  402 , a “data in” point  404 , a main “data out” point  406 , multiple slave data points  408 , and a “power out” point  410 . As will be discussed below, one embodiment of the invention provides for an integrated data and power cable, which reduces the number of ports. The power in point  402  enables the panel  400  to receive power from a power source, which may be another panel. The data in point  404  enables the panel to receive data from a data source, which may be another panel. The main data out point  406  enables the panel  400  to send data to another main panel. The multiple slave data points  408 , which are bi-directional in this example, enable the panel  400  to send data to one or more slave panels and to receive data from those slave panels. In some embodiments, the main data out point  406  and the slave data out points  408  may be combined. The power out point  410  enables the panel  400  to send power to another panel. 
     The connection points may be provided in various ways. For example, in one embodiment, the connection points may be jacks configured to receive corresponding plugs. In another embodiment, a cable may extend from the back panel with a connector (e.g., a jack or plug) affixed to the external end of the cable to provide an interface for another connector. It is understood that the connection points may be positioned and organized in many different ways. 
     Inside the panel, the power in point  402  and power out point  410  may be coupled to circuitry (not shown) as well as to a power supply. For example, the power in point  402  and power out point  410  may be coupled to the circuitry  222  of  FIG. 2B , as well as to the power supply  224 . In such embodiments, the circuitry  222  may aid in regulating the reception and transmission of power. In other embodiments, the power in point  402  and power out point  410  may by coupled only to the power supply  224  with a pass through power connection allowing some of the received power to be passed from the power in point  402  to the power out point  410 . 
     The data in point  404 , main data out point  406 , and slave data out points  408  may be coupled to the circuitry  222 . The circuitry  222  may aid in regulating the reception and transmission of the data. In some embodiments, the circuitry  222  may identify data used for the panel  400  and also send all data on to other coupled main and slave panels via the main data out point  406  and slave data out points  408 , respectively. In such embodiments, the other main and slave panels would then identify the information relevant to that particular panel from the data. In other embodiments, the circuitry  222  may remove the data needed for the panel  400  and selectively send data on to other coupled main and slave panels via the main data out point  406  and slave data out points  408 , respectively. For example, the circuitry  222  may send only data corresponding to a particular slave panel to that slave panel rather than sending all data and letting the slave panel identify the corresponding data. 
     The back panel also has coupling points  412  and  414 . In the example where the housing is supplied by the housing  300  of  FIG. 3A , the coupling points  412  and  414  may correspond to extensions  310  and  312 , respectively. 
     Referring specifically to  FIG. 4B , a top view of the panel  400  illustrates three sections of the housing  401 . The first section  416  includes the LEDs (not shown) and louvers  418 . The second section  420  and third section  422  may be used to house the circuitry  222  and power supply  224 . In the present example, the third section  422  is an extended section that may exist on main panels, but not slave panels, due to extra components needed by a main panel to distribute data. Depths D 1 , D 2 , and D 3  correspond to sections  416 ,  420 , and  422 , respectively. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , one embodiment of a panel  500  is illustrated that may be similar or identical to the panel  400  of  FIG. 4A  with the exception of a change in the slave data points  408 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 4A , the slave data points  408  are bi-directional connection points. In the present embodiment, separate slave “data in” points  502  and slave “data out” points  504  are provided. In other embodiments, the data points can be directional connection points. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6A and 6B , one embodiment of a panel  600  is illustrated that may be similar or identical to the panel  400  of  FIG. 4A  except that the panel  600  is a slave panel.  FIG. 6A  illustrates a back view of the panel  600  and  FIG. 6B  illustrates a top view. The panel  600  has a width W and a height H. In the present embodiment, these are identical to the width W and height H of the panel  400  of  FIG. 4A . In one example, the width W can be between 1 and 4 feet and the height H can be between 0.5 and 4 feet, for example 1 foot by 2 feet. Of course, the invention is not limited to these specific dimensions. 
     In contrast to the main panel of  FIG. 4A , the back of the slave panel  600  has a more limited number of connection points that include a “power in” point  602 , a data point  604 , and a “power out” point  606 . The power in point  602  enables the panel  600  to receive power from a power source, which may be another panel. The data point  604  enables the panel to receive data from a data source, which may be another panel. The power out point  606  enables the panel  600  to send power to another main panel. In the present example, the data point  604  is bi-directional, which corresponds to the main panel configuration illustrated in  FIG. 4A . The back panel also has coupling points  608  and  610 , which correspond to coupling points  412  and  414 , respectively, of  FIG. 4A . As discussed above, other embodiments use directional data connections. 
     Referring specifically to  FIG. 6B , a top view of the panel  600  illustrates two sections of the housing  601 . The first section  612  includes the LEDs (not shown) and louvers  614 . The second section  616  may be used to house the circuitry  222  and power supply  224 . In the present example, the extended section provided by the third section  422  of  FIG. 4A  is not needed as the panel  600  does not pass data on to other panels. Depths D 1  and D 2  correspond to sections  612  and  616 , respectively. In the present embodiment, depths D 1  and D 2  are identical to depths D 1  and D 2  of the panel  400  of  FIG. 4B . In one example, the depth D 1  can be between 1 and 4 inches and the depths D 2  can be between 1 and 4 inches. 
     It is noted that the similarity in size of the panels  400  of  FIG. 4A  and the panel  600  of  FIG. 6A  enables the panels to be interchanged as needed. More specifically, as main panels and slave panels have an identical footprint in terms of height H, width W, and depth D 1 , their position on the frame  106  of  FIGS. 1A and 1B  does not matter from a size standpoint, but only from a functionality standpoint. Accordingly, the display  100  can be designed as desired using main panels and slave panels without the need to be concerned with how a particular panel will physically fit into a position on the frame. The design may then focus on issues such as the required functionality (e.g., whether a main panel is needed or a slave panel is sufficient) for a particular position and/or other issues such as weight and cost. 
     In some embodiments, the main panel  400  of  FIG. 4A  may weigh more than the slave panel  600  due to the additional components present in the main panel  400 . The additional components may also make the main panel  400  more expensive to produce than the slave panel  600 . Therefore, a display that uses as many slave panels as possible while still meeting required criteria will generally cost less and weigh less than a display that uses more main panels. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , one embodiment of a panel  700  is illustrated that may be similar or identical to the panel  600  of  FIG. 6A  with the exception of a change in the data point  604 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 6A , the data point  604  is a bi-directional connection. In the present embodiment, a separate “data out” point  702  and a “data in” point  704  are provided, which corresponds to the main panel configuration illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8A-8M , embodiments of a frame  800  are illustrated. For example, the frame  800  may provide a more detailed embodiment of the frame  106  of  FIG. 1B . As described previously, LED panels, such as the panels  104   a - 104   t  of  FIGS. 1A and 1B , may be mounted directly to the frame  800 . Accordingly, the frame  800  does not need to be designed to support heavy cabinets, but need only be able to support the panels  104   a - 104   t  and associated cabling (e.g., power and data cables), and the frame  800  may be lighter than conventional frames that have to support cabinet based structures. For purposes of example, various references may be made to the panel  200  of  FIG. 2A , the housing  300  of  FIG. 3A , and the panel  400  of  FIG. 4A . 
     In the present example, the frame  800  is designed to support LED panels  802  in a configuration that is ten panels high and thirty-two panels wide. While the size of the panels  802  may vary, in the current embodiment this provides a display surface that is approximately fifty feet and four inches wide (50′4″) and fifteen feet and eight and three-quarters inches high (15′8.75″). 
     It is understood that all measurements and materials described with respect to  FIGS. 8A-8M  are for purposes of example only and are not intended to be limiting. Accordingly, many different lengths, heights, thicknesses, and other dimensional and/or material changes may be made to the embodiments of  FIGS. 8A-8M . 
     Referring specifically to  FIG. 8B , a back view of the frame  800  is illustrated. The frame  800  includes a top bar  804 , a bottom bar  806 , a left bar  808 , a right bar  810 , and multiple vertical bars  812  that connect the top bar  804  and bottom bar  806 . In some embodiments, additional horizontal bars  814  may be present. 
     The frame  800  may be constructed of various materials, including metals. For example, the top bar  804 , the bottom bar  806 , the left bar  808 , and the right bar  810  (e.g., the perimeter bars) may be made using a four inch aluminum association standard channel capable of bearing 1.738 lb./ft. The vertical bars  812  may be made using 2″×4″×½″ aluminum tube capable of bearing a load of 3.23 lb./ft. it is understood that other embodiments will utilize other size components. 
     It is understood that these sizes and load bearing capacities are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting. However, conventional steel display frames needed to support conventional cabinet-based displays are typically much heavier than the frame  800 , which would likely not be strong enough to support a traditional cabinet-based display. For example, the frame  800  combined with the panels described herein may weigh at least fifty percent less than equivalent steel cabinet-based displays. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8C , a cutaway view of the frame  800  of  FIG. 8B  taken along lines A 1 -A 1  is illustrated. The horizontal bars  810  are more clearly visible. More detailed views of  FIG. 8C  are described below. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8D , a more detailed view of the frame  800  of  FIG. 8C  at location B 1  is illustrated. The cutaway view shows the top bar  804  and a vertical bar  812 . A first flat bar  816  may be used with multiple fasteners  818  to couple the top bar  804  to the vertical bar  812  at the back of the frame  800 . A second flat bar  820  may be used with fasteners  821  to couple the top bar  804  to the vertical bar  812  at the front of the frame  800 . A front plate  902  belonging to a coupling mechanism goo (described below with respect to  FIG. 9A ) is illustrated. The second flat bar  820  may replace a back plate of the coupling mechanism  900 . In embodiments where the second flat bar  820  replaces the back plate, the second flat bar  820  may include one or more holes to provide accessibility to fasteners of the coupling mechanism  900 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8E-8G , various more detailed views of the frame  800  of  FIG. 8C  are illustrated.  FIG. 8E  provides a more detailed view of the frame  800  of  FIG. 8C  at location B 2 .  FIG. 8F  provides a cutaway view of the frame  800  of  FIG. 8E  taken along lines C 1 -C 1 .  FIG. 8G  provides a cutaway view of the frame  800  of  FIG. 8E  taken along lines C 2 -C 2 . 
     A clip  822  may be coupled to a vertical bar  812  via one or more fasteners  824  and to the horizontal bar  814  via one or more fasteners  824 . In the present example, the clip  822  is positioned above the horizontal bar  814 , but it is understood that the clip  822  may be positioned below the horizontal bar  814  in other embodiments. In still other embodiments, the clip  822  may be placed partially inside the horizontal bar  814  (e.g., a portion of the clip  822  may be placed through a slot or other opening in the horizontal bar  814 ). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8H and 8I , various more detailed views of the frame  800  of  FIG. 8C  are illustrated.  FIG. 8H  provides a more detailed view of the frame  800  of  FIG. 8C  at location B 3 .  FIG. 8I  provides a cutaway view of the frame  800  of  FIG. 8H  taken along lines D 1 -D 1 . 
     The cutaway view shows the bottom bar  806  and a vertical bar  812 . A first flat bar  826  may be used with multiple fasteners  828  to couple the bottom bar  806  to the vertical bar  812  at the back of the frame  800 . A second flat bar  830  may be used with fasteners  832  to couple the bottom bar  806  to the vertical bar  812  at the front of the frame  800 . A front plate  902  belonging to a coupling mechanism goo (described below with respect to  FIG. 9A ) is illustrated. The second flat bar  830  may replace a back plate of the coupling mechanism  900 . In embodiments where the second flat bar  830  replaces the back plate, the second flat bar  830  may include one or more holes to provide accessibility to fasteners of the coupling mechanism  900 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8J and 8K , various more detailed views of the frame  800  of  FIG. 8A  are illustrated.  FIG. 8H  provides a more detailed view of the frame  800  of  FIG. 8B  at location A 2 .  FIG. 8K  provides a cutaway view of the frame  800  of  FIG. 8J  taken along lines E 1 -E 1 . The two views show the bottom bar  806  and the left bar  808 . A clip  834  may be used with multiple fasteners  836  to couple the bottom bar  806  to the left bar  808  at the corner of the frame  800 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8L and 8M , an alternative embodiment to  FIG. 8E  is illustrated.  FIG. 8L  provides a more detailed view of the frame  800  in the alternate embodiment.  FIG. 8M  provides a cutaway view of the frame  800  of  FIG. 8L  taken along lines F 1 -F 1 . In this embodiment, rather than using a horizontal bar  814 , a vertical bar  812  is coupled directly to a beam  840  using a clip  838 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9A-9C , one embodiment of a coupling mechanism goo is illustrated that may be used to attach an LED panel (e.g., one of the panels  104   a - 104   t  of  FIGS. 1A and 1B ) to a frame (e.g., the frame  106  or the frame  800  of  FIGS. 8A and 8B ). For purposes of example, the coupling mechanism goo is described as attaching the panel  200  of  FIG. 2A  to the frame  800  of  FIG. 8B . In the present example, a single coupling mechanism goo may attach up to four panels to the frame  800 . To accomplish this, the coupling mechanism goo is positioned where the corners of four panels meet. 
     The coupling mechanism goo includes a front plate  902  and a back plate  904 . The front plate  902  has an outer surface  906  that faces the back of a panel and an inner surface  908  that faces the frame  106 . The front plate  902  may include a center hole  910  and holes  912 . The center hole  910  may be countersunk relative to the outer surface  906  to allow a bolt head to sit at or below the outer surface  906 . Mounting pins  914  may extend from the outer surface  906 . The back plate  904  has an outer surface  916  that faces away from the frame  106  and an inner surface  918  that faces the frame  106 . The back plate  904  includes a center hole  920  and holes  922 . 
     In operation, the front plate  902  and back plate  904  are mounted on opposite sides of one of the vertical bars  808 ,  810 , or  812  with the front plate  902  mounted on the panel side of the frame  800  and the back plate  904  mounted on the back side of the frame  800 . For purposes of example, a vertical bar  812  will be used. When mounted in this manner, the inner surface  908  of the front plate  902  and the inner surface  918  of the back plate  904  face one another. A fastener (e.g., a bolt) may be placed through the center hole  910  of the front plate  902 , through a hole in the vertical bar  812  of the frame  800 , and through the center hole  920  of the back plate  904 . This secures the front plate  902  and back plate  904  to the frame  800  with the mounting pins  914  extending away from the frame. 
     Using the housing  300  of  FIG. 3A  as an example, a panel is aligned on the frame  800  by inserting the appropriate mounting pin  914  into one of the holes in the back of the housing  300  provided by an extension  310 / 312 . It is understood that this occurs at each corner of the panel, so that the panel will be aligned with the frame  800  using four mounting pins  914  that correspond to four different coupling mechanisms  900 . It is noted that the pins  914  illustrated in  FIG. 9C  are horizontally aligned with the holes  912 , while the extensions illustrated in  FIG. 3A  are vertically aligned. As described previously, these are alternate embodiments and it is understood that the holes  912 /pins  914  and extensions  310 / 312  should have a matching orientation and spacing. 
     Once in position, a fastener is inserted through the hole  922  of the back plate  904 , through the corresponding hole  912  of the front plate  902 , and into a threaded hole provided by an extension  310 / 312  in the panel  300 . This secures the panel to the frame  800 . It is understood that this occurs at each corner of the panel, so that the panel will be secured to the frame  800  using four different coupling mechanisms  900 . Accordingly, to attach or remove a panel, only four fasteners need be manipulated. The coupling mechanism  900  can remain in place to support up to three other panels. 
     In other embodiments, the front plate  902  is not needed. For example, in displays that are lighter in weight the back of the panel can abut directly with the beam. In other embodiments, the center hole  920  and corresponding bolt are not necessary. In other words the entire connection is made by the screws through the plate  904  into the panel. 
     The embodiment illustrated here shows a connection from the back of the display. In certain applications, access to the back of the panels is not available. For example, the display may be mounted directly on a building without a catwalk or other access. In this case, the holes in the panel can extend all the way through the panel with the bolts being applied through the panel and secured on the back. This is the opposite direction of what is shown in  FIG. 9C . 
     More precise alignment may be provided by using an alignment plate, such as the alignment plate  314  of  FIG. 3B , with each panel. For example, while positioning the panel and prior to tightening the coupling mechanism goo, the tabs  316  of the alignment plate  314  for that panel may be inserted into slots  318  in surrounding alignment plates. The coupling mechanism goo may then be tightened to secure the panel into place. 
     It is understood that many different configurations may be used for the coupling mechanism  400 . For example, the locations of holes and/or pins may be moved, more or fewer holes and/or pins may be provided, and other modifications may be made. It is further understood that many different coupling mechanisms may be used to attach a panel to the frame  106 . Such coupling mechanisms may use bolts, screws, latches, clips, and/or any other fastener suitable for removably attaching a panel to the frame  800 . 
       FIG. 10A  illustrates the power connections,  FIG. 10B  illustrates data connections,  FIG. 10C  illustrates power connections, and  FIG. 10D  illustrates data connections. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10A and 10B , one embodiment of a 13×22 panel display  1000  is illustrated that includes two hundred and eighty-six panels arranged in thirteen rows and twenty-two columns. For purposes of example, the display  1000  uses the previously described main panel  400  of  FIG. 4A  (a ‘B’ panel) and the slave panel  600  of  FIG. 6A  (a ‘C’ panel). As described previously, these panels have a bi-directional input/output connection point for data communications between the main panel and the slave panels. The rows are divided into two sections with the top section having seven rows and the bottom section having six rows. The B panels form the fourth row of each section and the remaining rows are C panels.  FIGS. 10C and 10D  provide enlarged views of a portion of  FIGS. 10A and 10B , respectively. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 10A , power (e.g., 220V single phase) is provided to the top section via seven breakers (e.g., twenty amp breakers), with a breaker assigned to each of the seven rows. Power is provided to the bottom section via six breakers, with a breaker assigned to each of the six rows. In the present example, the power is provided in a serial manner along a row, with power provided to the first column panel via the power source, to the second column panel via the first panel, to the third column panel via the second panel, and so on for the entire row. Accordingly, if a panel is removed or the power for a panel is unplugged, the remainder of the panels in the row will lose power. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 10B , data is sent from a data source  1002  (e.g., a computer) to the top section via one line and to the bottom section via another line. In some embodiments, as illustrated, the data lines may be connected to provide a loop. In the present example, the data is provided to the B panels that form the fourth row of each section. The B panels in the fourth row feed the data both vertically along the column and in a serial manner along the row. For example, the B panel at row four, column two (r4:c2), sends data to the C panels in rows one, two, three, five, six, and seven of column two (r1-3:c2 and r5-7:c2), as well as to the B panel at row four, column three (r4:c3). Accordingly, if a B panel in row four is removed or the data cables are unplugged, the remainder of the panels in the column fed by that panel will lose their data connection. The next columns will also lose their data connections unless the loop allows data to reach them in the opposite direction. 
     It is understood that the data lines may be bi-directional. In some embodiments, an input line and an output line may be provided, rather than a single bi-directional line as illustrated in  FIGS. 10A and 10B . In such embodiments, the panels may be configured with additional input and/or output connections. An example of this is provided below in  FIGS. 11A and 11B . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 11A and 11B , one embodiment of a 16×18 panel display  1100  is illustrated that includes two hundred and eighty-eight panels arranged in sixteen rows and eighteen columns. Each power line connects to a single 110 v 20 amp breaker. All external power cables are 14 AWG SOW UL while internal power cables must be 14 AWG UL. For purposes of example, the display  1100  uses the previously described main panel  500  of  FIG. 5  (a ‘B’ panel) and the slave panel  700  of  FIG. 7  (a‘C’ panel). As described previously, these panels have separate input and output connection points for data communications between the main panel and the slave panels.  FIGS. 11C and 11D  provide enlarged views of a portion of  FIGS. 11A and 11B , respectively. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 11A , power is provided from a power source directly to the first column panel and the tenth column panel of each row via a power line connected to a single 110V, 20 A breaker. Those panels then feed the power along the rows in a serial manner. For example, the power is provided to the first column panel via the power source, to the second column panel via the first panel, to the third column panel via the second panel, and so on until the ninth column panel is reached for that row. The ninth column panel does not feed power to another panel because power is provided directly to the tenth column panel via the power source. Power is then provided to the eleventh column panel via the tenth panel, to the twelfth column panel via the eleventh panel, and so on until the end of the row is reached. Accordingly, if a panel is removed or the power for a panel is unplugged, the remainder of the panels in the row that rely on that panel for power will lose power. 
     Although not shown in  FIG. 1B , the panels of the display  1100  may be divided into two sections for data purposes as illustrated previously with respect to  FIG. 10B . Accordingly, as illustrated in  FIG. 10B , data may be sent from a data source (e.g., a computer) to a top section via one line and to a bottom section via another line. As the present example illustrates the use of separate input and output connection points for data communications between the main panel and the slave panels, data connections between B panels have been omitted for purposes of clarity. 
     In the present example, the data is provided to the B panels that form the fourth row of each section. The B panels in the fourth row feed the data both vertically along the column and in a serial manner along the row (as shown in  FIG. 10B ). For example, the B panel at row four, column two (r4:c2), sends data to the C panels in rows one, two, three, five, six, seven, and eight of column two (r1-3:c2 and r5-8:c2), as well as to the B panel at row four, column three (r4:c3). Accordingly, if a B panel in row four is removed or the data cables are unplugged, the remainder of the panels in the column fed by that panel will lose their data connection. The next columns will also lose their data connections unless the loop allows data to reach them in the opposite direction. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 12A and 12B , one embodiment of a 19×10 panel two face display  1100  is illustrated that includes three hundred and eighty panels arranged in two displays of nineteen rows and ten columns. Each face requires 19 110 V 20 AMP circuit breakers. For purposes of example, the display  1100  uses the previously described main panel  500  of  FIG. 5  (a ‘B’ panel) and the slave panel  700  of  FIG. 7  (a‘C’ panel). As described previously, these panels have separate input and output connection points for data communications between the main panel and the slave panels.  FIGS. 12C and 12D  provide enlarged views of a portion of  FIGS. 12A and 12B , respectively. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , power is provided from a power source directly to the first column panel of each face via a power line connected to a single 110V, 20 A breaker. Those panels then feed the power along the rows in a serial manner. For example, the power is provided to the first column panel of the first face via the power source, to the second column panel via the first panel, to the third column panel via the second panel, and so on until the last panel is reached for that row of that face. The tenth column panel does not feed power to the next face because power is provided directly to the first column of the second face via the power source. Power is then provided to the second column panel via the first panel, to the third column panel via the second panel, and so on until the last panel is reached for that row of that face. Accordingly, if a panel is removed or the power for a panel is unplugged, the remainder of the panels in the row that rely on that panel for power will lose power. 
     Although not shown in  FIG. 12B , the panels of the display  1200  may be divided into three sections for data purposes as illustrated previously with respect to  FIG. 10B . Accordingly, as illustrated in  FIG. 10B , data may be sent from a data source (e.g., a computer) to the top section via one line, to a middle section via a second line, and to a bottom section via a third line. Each master control cabinet has six data cables and is configured to be in row 4. Two rows of cabinets use only 5 cables while the sixth cable is unused and tied back. 
     As the present example illustrates the use of separate input and output connection points for data communications between the main panel and the slave panels, data connections between B panels have been omitted for purposes of clarity. However, a separate line may be run to the B panels in the first column of each face (which would require six lines in  FIG. 12B ), or the B panel in the last column of a row of one face may pass data to the B panel in the first column of a row of the next face (which would require three lines in  FIG. 12B ). 
     In the present example, the data is provided to the B panels that form the fourth row of each section. The B panels in the fourth row feed the data both vertically along the column and in a serial manner along the row (as shown in  FIG. 10B ). For example, the B panel at row four, column two (r4:c2), sends data to the C panels in rows one, two, three, five, and six of column two (r1-3:c2 and r5-6:c2), as well as to the B panel at row four, column three (r4:c3). Accordingly, if a B panel in row four is removed or the data cables are unplugged, the remainder of the panels in the column fed by that panel will lose their data connection. The next columns will also lose their data connections unless the loop allows data to reach them in the opposite direction. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates a modular display panel in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.  FIG. 14  illustrates a modular display panel attached to a supporting frame in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 15  illustrates a frame used to provide mechanical support to the modular display panel in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     The multi-panel modular display panel  1300  comprises a plurality of LED display panels  1350 . In various embodiments describe herein, the light emitting diode (LED) display panels  1350  are attached to a frame  1310  or skeletal structure that provides the framework for supporting the LED display panels  1350 . The LED display panels  1350  are stacked next to each other and securely attached to the frame  1310  using attachment plate  1450 , which may be a corner plate in one embodiment. The attachment plate  1450  may comprise holes through which attachment features  1490  may be screwed in, for example. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the LED display panels  1350  are arranged in an array of rows and columns. Each LED display panel  1350  of each row is electrically connected to an adjacent LED display panel  1350  within that row. 
     Referring to  FIG. 15 , the frame  1310  provides mechanical support and electrical connectivity to each of the LED display panels  1350 . The frame  1310  comprises a plurality of beams  1320  forming the mechanical structure. The frame  1310  comprises a top bar, a bottom bar, a left bar, a right bar, and a plurality of vertical bars extending from the top bar to the bottom bar, the vertical bars disposed between the left bar and the right bar. The top bar, the bottom bar, the left bar and the right bar comprise four inch aluminum bars, and the vertical bars comprise 2″×4″×½″ aluminum tubes. The top bar, the bottom bar, the left bar and the right bar are each capable of bearing a load of 1.738 lb./ft., and the vertical bars are each capable of bearing a load of 3.23 lb./ft. 
     The frame  1310  may include support structures for the electrical cables, data cables, electrical power box powering the LED displays panels  1350 , data receiver box controlling power, data, and communication to the LED displays panels  1350 . 
     However, the frame  1310  does not include any additional enclosures to protect the LED panels, data, power cables from the environment. Rather, the frame  1310  is exposed to the elements and further exposes the LED display panels  1350  to the environment. The frame  1310  also does not include air conditioning, fans, or heating units to maintain the temperature of the LED display panels  1350 . Rather, the LED display panels  1350  are hermetically sealed themselves and are designed to be exposed to the outside ambient. Further, in various embodiments, there are not additional cabinets that are attached to the frame  1310  or used for housing the LED display panels  1350 . Accordingly, in various embodiments, the multi-panel modular display panel  1300  is designed to be only passively cooled. 
       FIGS. 38A-38E  illustrate specific examples of an assembled display system  1300  and a frame  1310 . As shown in  FIG. 38A , the modular display system  1300  includes a number of LED display panels  1350  mounted to frame  1310 . One of the display panels has been removed in the lower corner to illustrate the modular nature of the display. In this particular example, access is provided to the back of the modular display through a cage  1390  that includes an enclosed catwalk. Since the display system  1300  is generally highly elevated, a ladder (see  FIG. 38C ) provides access to the catwalk. A side view of the display system is shown in  FIG. 38B  and back views are shown in  FIGS. 38C and 38D .  FIG. 38D  further illustrates the cables of the panels interlocked for safe transportation. 
       FIG. 38E  illustrates the frame  1310  without the display panels  1350 . In this embodiment the beams  1320  that form that outer frame are bigger than the interior beams  1325 . In this case, the interior beams  1325  are aligned in a plane outside those of the frame beams  1322 . The plates  1315  are also shown in the figure. Upon installation, these plates will be rotated by 90 degrees and fasten to the display panels. 
       FIG. 16 , which includes  FIGS. 16A-16C , illustrates an attachment plate used to attach one or more modular display panels to the frame in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 16A  illustrates a projection view while  FIG. 16B  illustrates a top view and  FIG. 16C  illustrates a cross-sectional view. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 16A-16C , the attachment plate  1450  may comprise one or more through openings  1460  for enabling attachment features such as screws to go through. Referring to  FIG. 16C , the attachment plate  1450  comprises a top surface  1451  and a bottom surface  1452 . The height of the pillars  1480  may be adjusted to provide a good fit for the display panel. Advantageously, because the frame  1310  is not screw mounted to the display panel  1350 , the display panel  1350  may be moved during mounting. This allows for improved alignment of the display panels resulting in improved picture output. An alignment plate could also be used as described above. 
     Accordingly, in various embodiments, the height of the pillars  1480  is about the same as the thickness of the beams  1320  of the frame  1310 . In one or more embodiments, the height of the pillars  1480  is slightly more than the thickness of the beams  1320  of the frame  1310 . 
       FIGS. 16D and 16E  illustrate another embodiment of the attachment plate  1450 . In this example, the plate is rectangular shaped and not a square. For example, the length can be two to four times longer than the width. In one example, the length is about 9 inches while the width is about 3 inches. The holes in the center of the plate are optional. Conversely, these types of holes could be added to the embodiment of  FIGS. 16A and 16B . In other embodiments, other shaped plates  1450  can be used. 
       FIG. 17  illustrates a magnified view of the attachment plate or a connecting plate, frame, and display panel after mounting in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 17 , one or more attachment features  1490  may be used to connect the attachment plate  1450  to the display panel  1350 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 17 , the attachment plate  1450  is a corner plate. Each corner plate is mechanically connected to corners of four of the LED display panels  1350  to secure the LED display panels  1350  to the respective beams  1320  of the frame  1310 . 
       FIG. 17  illustrates that the attachment features  1490  is attached using the through openings  1460  in the attachment plate  1450 . The frame is between the attachment plate  1450  and the display panel  1350 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 17 , the beam  1320  physically contacts the display panel  1350 . In another embodiment, a second plate (not shown here) could be included between the beam  1320  and the display panel  1350 . The plate could be a solid material such as a metal plate or could be a conforming material such as a rubber material embedded with metal particles. In either case, it is desirable that the plate be thermally conductive. 
       FIG. 18  illustrates one unit of the modular display panel in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 18  illustrates one LED display panel  1350  of the multi-panel modular display panel  1300  comprising an input cable  1360  and an output cable  1365 . The LED display panels  1350  are electrically connected together for data and for power using the input cable  1360  and the output cable  1365 . 
     Each modular LED display panel  1350  is capable of receiving input using an integrated data and power cable from a preceding modular LED display panel and providing an output using another integrated data and power cable to a succeeding modular LED display panel. Each cable ends with an endpoint device or connector, which is a socket or alternatively a plug. 
     Referring to  FIG. 18 , in accordance with an embodiment, a LED display panel  1350  comprises an attached input cable  1360  and an output cable  1365 , a first connector  1370 , a second connector  1375 , a sealing cover  1380 . The sealing cover  1380  is configured to go over the second connector  1375  thereby hermetically sealing both ends (first connector  1370  and the second connector  1375 ). The sealing cover  1380 , which also includes a locking feature, locks the two cables together securely. As will be described further, the input cable  1360  and the output cable  1365  comprise integrated data and power wires with appropriate insulation separating them. 
       FIG. 19  illustrates two display panels next to each other and connected through the cables such that the output cable  1365  of the left display panel  1350  is connected with the input cable  1360  of the next display panel  1350 . The sealing cover  1380  locks the two cables together as described above. 
       FIG. 20  illustrates a modular multi-panel display system comprising a plurality of LED display panels connected together using the afore-mentioned cables. 
     Referring to  FIG. 20 , for each row, a LED display panel  1350  at a first end receives an input data connection from a data source and has an output data connection to a next LED display panel in the row. Each further LED display panel  1350  provides data to a next adjacent LED display panel until a LED display panel  1350  at a second end of the row is reached. The power line is run across each row to power the LED display panels  1350  in that row. 
     In one embodiment, the plurality of LED display panels  1350  includes 320 LED display panels  1350  arranged in ten rows and thirty-two columns so that the integrated display panel  1300  has a display surface that is approximately fifty feet and four inches wide and fifteen feet and eight and three-quarters inches high. 
     In various embodiments, as illustrated in  FIGS. 14 and 20 , a data receiver box  1400  is mounted to the mechanical support structure or frame  1310 . The data receiver box  1400  is configured to provide power, data, and communication to the LED display panels  1350 . With a shared receiver box  1400 , the panels themselves do not need their own receiver card. This configuration saves cost and weight. 
       FIG. 21 , which includes  FIGS. 21A-21C , illustrates an alternative embodiment of the modular display panel attached to a supporting frame in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  FIGS. 21B and 21C  illustrate alternative structural embodiments of the supporting frame. 
     This embodiment differs from embodiment described in  FIG. 14  in that the horizontal beams  1320 A may be used to support the display panels  1350 . In one embodiment, both horizontal beams  1320 A and vertical beams  1320 B may be used to support the display panels  1350 . In another embodiment, horizontal beams  1320 A but not the vertical beams  1320 B may be used to support the display panels  1350 . 
       FIG. 21B  illustrates an alternative embodiment including additional beams  1320 C, which may be narrower than the other beams of the frame. One or more of the thinner beams  1320 C may be placed between the regular sized vertical beams  1320 B. 
       FIG. 21C  illustrates a further embodiment illustrating both a top view, bottom view and side view of a frame. The frame  1310  may be attached to a wall or other structure using plates  1315 . The frame  1310  may comprise a plurality of vertical beams and horizontal beams. In one embodiment, the frame  1310  comprises an outer frame having a top bar, a bottom bar, a left bar and a right bar. A display panel  1350  may be supported between two adjacent beams  1320  marked as L 3  beams, which may be thinner (smaller diameter) and lighter than the thicker and heavier load bearing beams  1321  marked as L 2  beams used for forming the outer frame. As an illustration, the L 2  beams may be 4″ while the L 3  beams may be 3″ in one example. 
       FIG. 22  illustrates a method of assembling a modular multi-panel display system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 22  illustrates a method of assembling the multi-panel display system discussed in various embodiments, for example,  FIG. 14 . 
     A mechanical support structure such as the frame  1310  described above is assembled taking into account various parameters such as the size and weight of the multi-panel display, location and zoning requirements, and others (box  1501 ). For example, as previously described, the mechanical support structure includes a plurality of vertical bars and horizontal bars. The mechanical support structure may be fabricated from a corrosion resistant material in one or more embodiments. For example, the mechanical support structure may be coated with a weather-proofing coating that prevents the underlying substrate from corroding. 
     A plurality of LED display panels are mounted on to the mechanical support structure so as to form an integrated display panel that includes an array of rows and columns of LED display panels as described in various embodiments (box  1503 ). Each of the LED display panels is hermetically sealed. Mounting the LED display panels may comprise mounting each LED display panel to a respective vertical beam using an attachment plate. 
     Each of the LED display panels is electrically connected to a data source and to a power source (box  1505 ). For example, a first LED display panel in each row is electrically coupled to the display source. The other LED display panels in each row may be daisy-chain coupled to an adjacent LED display panel (e.g., as illustrated in  FIG. 20 ). 
     Since the assembled display structure is light weight, significant assembly advantages can be achieved. For example, the panels can be assembled within a warehouse that is remote from the final location where the display will be utilized. In other words, the panels can be assembled at a first location, shipped to a second location and finalized at the second location. 
     An illustration of two assembled displays that are ready for shipment is provided in  FIG. 39 . These displays can be quite large, for example much larger than a 14×48 panel display. In some cases, a single display system is shipped as a series of sub-assemblies, e.g., as shown in the figure, and then assembled into a full display on location. 
     In various embodiments, the assembled multi-panel display system includes no cabinets. The assembled multi-panel display system is cooled passively and includes no air conditioning or fans. 
       FIG. 23  illustrates a method of maintaining a modular multi-panel display that includes a mechanical support structure and a plurality of LED display panels detachably coupled to the mechanical support structure without a cabinet. Each LED display panel is mechanically coupled to the mechanical support structure and three other lighting panels by a corner plate. 
     Referring to  FIG. 23 , a defect is identified in one of the LED display panels so as to identify a defective LED display panel (box  1511 ). The identification of the defective LED display panel may be performed manually or automatically. For example, a control loop monitoring the display system may provide a warning or error signal identifying the location of the defect. 
     In one embodiment, the health of a panel and/or the health of individual pixels can be determined. To determine the health of the panel, the power supply for each of the panels is monitored. If a lack of power is detected at any of the supplies a warning message is sent. For example, it can be determined that one of the power supplies has ceased to supply power. In the illustrated example, the message is sent from the power supply to the communication chip within the panel and then back to the receiving card. From the receiving card a message can be sent to the sending card or otherwise. For example, the message could generate a text to be provided to a repair station or person. In one example, a wireless transmitter is provided in the receiving card so that the warning message can be sent via a wireless network, e.g., a cellular data network. Upon receipt of the warning message, a maintenance provider can view the display, e.g., using a camera directed at the display. 
     In another embodiment, the health of individual pixels is determined, for example, by having each panel include circuitry to monitor the power being consumed by each pixel. If any pixel is determined to be failing, a warning message can be generated as discussed above. The pixel level health check can be used separately from or in combination with the panel level health check. 
     These embodiments would use bi-directional data communication between the panels and the receiver box. Image data will be transferred from the receiver box to the panels, e.g., along each row, and health and other monitoring data can be transferred from the panels back to the receiver. In addition to, or instead of, the health data discussed other data such as temperature, power consumption or mechanical data (e.g., sensing whether the panel has moved) can be provided from the panel. 
     If a decision is made to replace the defective LED display panel, the defective LED display panel is electrically disconnected from the multi-panel display (box  1512 ). The attachment plate securely holding the LED display panel to the frame is removed from the defective LED display panel (box  1513 ). In one or more embodiments, four attachment plates are removed so as to remove a single LED display panel. This is because one attachment plate has to be removed from a respective corner of the defective LED display panel. 
     The defective LED display panel is next removed from the multi-panel display (box  1514 ). A replacement LED display panel is placed in a location formerly taken by the defective LED display panel (box  1515 ). The attachment plate is reattached to the replacement LED display panel securely mounting the replacement LED display panel back to the display system (box  1516 ). Similarly, four attachment plates have to be reattached in the above example. The replacement LED display panel is electrically reconnected to the multi-panel display (box  1517 ). 
       FIG. 24 , which includes  FIGS. 24A and 24B , illustrates a display panel in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 24A  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a display panel while  FIG. 24B  illustrates a schematic of the display panel.  FIG. 24C  illustrates a schematic of the LED array as controlled by the receiver circuit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 24A , the modular LED display panel comprises a plurality of LEDs  1610  mounted on one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs)  1620 , which are housed within a hermetically sealed enclosure or casing. A framework of louvers  1630  is attached to the PCB  1620  using an adhesive  1640 , which prevents moisture from reaching the PCB. However, the LEDs  1610  are directly exposed to the ambient in the direction of light emission. The LEDs  1610  themselves are water repellent and therefore are not damaged even if exposed to water. The louvers  1630  rise above the surface of the LEDs and help to minimize reflection and scattering of external light, which can otherwise degrade the quality of light output from the LEDs  1610 . 
     The PCB is mounted within a cavity of an enclosure, which may be a plastic casing  1650 . A heat sink  1660  is attached between the PCB  1620  and the casing  1650  and contacts both the PCB  1620  and the casing  1650  to maximize heat extraction. A thermal grease may be used between the back side of the casing  1650  and the PCB  1620  to improve thermal conduction. In one example embodiment, the thermal grease is between the heat sink  1660  and the back side of the casing  1650 . In a further example embodiment, the thermal grease is between the PCB  1620  and the heat sink  1660 . 
     A receiver circuit  1625  is mounted on the PCB  1620 . The receiver circuit  1625  may be a single chip in one embodiment. Alternatively, multiple components may be mounted on the PCB  1620 . The receiver circuit  1625  may be configured to process the received media and control the operation of the LEDs  1610  individually. For example, the receiver circuit  1625  may determine the color of the LED to be displayed at each location (pixel). Similarly, the receiver circuit  1625  may determine the brightness at each pixel location, for example, by controlling the current supplied to the LED. 
     The air gap within the cavity is minimized so that heat is conducted out more efficiently. Thermally conductive standoffs  1626  may be introduced between the PCB  1620  to minimize the air gap, for example, between the receiver circuit  1625  and the heat sink  1660 . The PCB  1620  is designed to maximize heat extraction from the LEDs  1610  to the heat sink  1660 . As described previously, the casing  1650  of the display panel  1350  has openings through which an input cable  1360  and output cable  1365  may be attached. The cables may have connectors or plugs for connecting to an adjacent panel or alternatively the casing  1650  may simply have input and output sockets. 
     A power supply unit  1670  may be mounted over the casing  1650  for powering the LEDs  1610 . The power supply unit  1670  may comprise a LED driver in various embodiments. The LED driver may include a power converter for converting ac to dc, which is supplied to the LEDs  1610 . Alternatively, the LED driver may comprise a down converter that down converts the voltage suitable for driving the LEDs  1610 . For example, the down converter may down convert a dc voltage at a first level to a d voltage at a second level that is lower than the first level. This is done so that large d currents are not carried on the power cables. The LED driver is configured to provide a constant dc current to the LEDs  1610 . 
     Examples of down converters (dc to dc converters) include linear regulators and switched mode converters such as buck converters. In further embodiments, the output from the power supply unit  1670  is isolated from the input power. Accordingly, in various embodiments, the power supply unit  1670  may comprise a transformer. As a further example, in one or more embodiments, the power supply unit  1670  may comprise forward, half-bridge, full-bridge, or push-pull topologies. 
     The power supply unit  1670  may be placed inside a faraday cage to minimize RF interference to other components. The LED driver of the power supply unit  1670  may also include a control loop for controlling the output current. In various embodiments, the display panel  1350  is sealed to an IP 67 standard. As discussed herein, other ratings are possible. 
       FIG. 24B  illustrates a system diagram schematic of the display panel in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 24B , a data and power signal received at the input cable  1360  is processed at an interface circuit  1651 . The incoming power is provided to the LED driver  1653 . Another output from the incoming power is provided to the output cable  1365 . This provides redundancy so that even if a component in the display panel  1350  is not working, the output power is not disturbed. Similarly, the output cable  1365  includes all the data packets being received in the input cable  1360 . 
     The interface circuit  1651  provides the received data packets to the graphics processor  1657  through a receiver bus  1654 . In some embodiments, the interface circuit  1651  provides only the data packets intended for the display panel  1350 . In other embodiment, the interface circuit  1651  provides all incoming data packets to the graphics processor  1657 . For example, the graphics processor  1657  may perform any decoding of the received media. The graphics processor  1657  may use the buffer memory  1655  or frame buffer as needed to store media packets during processing. 
     A scan controller  1659 , which may include an address decoder, receives the media to be displayed and identifies individual LEDs in the LEDs  1610  that need to be controlled. The scan controller  1659  may determine an individual LED&#39;s color, brightness, refresh time, and other parameters associated to generate the display. In one embodiment, the scan controller  1659  may provide this information to the LED driver  1653 , which selects the appropriate current for the particular LED. 
     Alternatively, the scan controller  1659  may interface directly with the LEDs  1610  in one embodiment. For example, the LED driver  1653  provides a constant current to the LEDs  1610  while the scan controller  1659  controls the select line needed to turn ON or OFF a particular LED. Further, in various embodiments, the scan controller  1659  may be integrated into the LED driver  1653 . 
       FIG. 24C  illustrates a schematic of the LED array as controlled by the receiver circuit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 24C , the row selector  1661  and column selector  1662 , which may be part of the circuitry of the scan controller  1659  described previously, may be used to control individual pixels in the array of the LEDs  1610 . For example, at each pixel location, the color of the pixel is selected by powering one or more combinations of red, blue, green, and white LEDs. The row selector  1661  and column selector  1662  include control circuitry for performing this operation as an example. 
       FIG. 25 , which includes  FIGS. 25A-25D , illustrates a display panel in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 25A  illustrates a projection view of the back side of the display panel,  FIG. 25B  illustrates a planar back side of the display panel, and  FIG. 25C  illustrates a planar bottom view while  FIG. 25D  illustrates a side view. 
     Referring to  FIG. 25A , the display panel  1350  comprises a casing  1650 , which includes casing holes  1710  for attaching the attachment features  1490  (e.g.,  FIG. 14 ) and openings for the input cable  1360  and the output cable  1365 . 
     A power supply unit  1670  is mounted over the casing  1650  and protrudes away from the back side. The casing  1650  may also include stacking features  1730  that may be used to stack the display panels  1350  correctly. For example, the stacking features  1730  may indicate the path in which data cables are moving and which end of the casing  1650 , if any, has to placed pointing up. The casing  1650  may further include a handle  1720  for lifting the display panel  1350 . 
     The housing of the power supply unit  1670 , which may be made of plastic, may include fins  1671  for maximizing heat extraction from the power supply unit  1670 . The power supply unit  1670  may be screwed into the casing  1650 . 
       FIG. 26  illustrates a planar view of a portion of the front side of the display panel in according with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 26 , a plurality of LEDs  1610  is exposed between the framework of louvers  1630  comprising a plurality of support strips  1631  and a plurality of ridges  1632 . The plurality of support strips  1631  and the plurality of ridges  1632  are attached to the PCB below using an adhesive as described previously. The framework of louvers  1630  may also be screwed at the corners or spaced apart distances to provide improved mechanical support and mitigate issues related to adhesive peeling. 
     The display panel discussed thus far has the advantage of being self-cooling, waterproof and light-weight. A plastic material, e.g., an industrial plastic, can be used for the housing. Within the housing, the LED board (or boards) are enclosed without any significant air gaps (or no air gaps at all). In some embodiments, a heat conductive material can be attached to both the back of the LED board and the inner surface of the housing to facilitate heat transfer. This material can be a thermally conductive sheet of material such as a metal (e.g., an aluminum plate) and/or a thermal grease. 
     The power supply is mounted outside the LED board housing and can also be passively cooled. As discussed herein, a thermally conductive material can be included between the power supply and the LED board, e.g., between the power supply housing and the LED panel enclosure. A thermally conductive material could also line some or all of the surfaces of the power supply housing. 
     While the discussion thus far has related to the self-cooling panel, it is understood that many of the embodiments discussed herein also applied to fan-cooled assemblies. Two views of a fan cooled display panel are shown in  FIGS. 40A and 40B . As an example, these panels can be mounted as disclosed with regard to  FIG. 14  as well as the other embodiments. Other features described herein could also be used with this type of a display panel. 
       FIG. 27 , which includes  FIGS. 27A-27C , illustrates cross-sectional views of the framework of louvers at the front side of the display panel in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 27  illustrates a cross-sectional view along a direction perpendicular to the orientation of the plurality of ridges  1632  along the line  27 - 27  in  FIG. 26 . 
     In various embodiments, the plurality of ridges  1632  have a higher height than the plurality of support strips  1631 . Horizontally oriented plurality of ridges  1632  may be advantageous to remove or block water droplets from over the LEDs  1610 . 
     The relative height differences between the plurality of support strips  1631  and the plurality of ridges  1632  may be adjusted depending on the particular mounting location in one embodiment. Alternatively in other embodiments, these may be independent of the mounting location. 
     The sidewalls and structure of the plurality of ridges  1632  may be adjusted depending on various lighting conditions and need to prevent water from accumulating or streaking over the LEDs  1610 .  FIG. 27A  illustrates a first embodiment in which the sidewalls of the plurality of ridges  1632  are perpendicular.  FIG. 27B  illustrates a second embodiment in which the sidewalls of the plurality of ridges  1632  are perpendicular but the inside of the plurality of ridges  1632  is partially hollow enabling ease of fabrication.  FIG. 27C  illustrates a different embodiment in which the sidewalls of the plurality of ridges  1632  are angled, for example, to prevent from other sources scattering of the LEDs  1610  and generating a diffuse light output. 
       FIG. 28  illustrates a plurality of display panels arranged next to each other in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
     In addition to the features described previously, in one or more embodiments, the display panels may include locking features  1760  such as tabs and other marks that may be used to correctly align the display panels precisely. For example, the locking features  1760  may comprise interlocking attachment points that are attached to an adjacent LED display panel. 
       FIGS. 29A-29D  illustrate a schematic of a control system for a modular multi-panel display system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 29A  illustrates a controller connected to the receiver box through a wired network connection.  FIG. 29B  illustrates a controller connected to the receiver box through a wireless network connection.  FIGS. 29C and 29D  illustrate the power transmission scheme used in powering the modular multi-panel display system. 
     Data to be displayed at the multi-panel display system may be first received from a computer  1850 , which may be a media server, at a controller  1800 . The controller  1800 , which may also be part of the media server, may transmit the data to be displayed to one or more data receiver boxes  1400 . A very large display may include more than one receiver box  1400 . The data receiver boxes  1400  receive the data to be displayed from the controller  1800 , and distribute it across to the multiple display panels. 
     As described previously, a data receiver box  1400  is mounted to the mechanical support structure or frame  1310 . The data receiver box  1400  is configured to receive data from a controller  1800  and to provide power, data, and communication to the LED display panels  350  through integrated power and data cables  1860 . The input cable  1360  and the output cable  1365  in  FIG. 18  are specific applications of the integrated power and data cables  1860  illustrated in  FIGS. 29A and 29B . The data receive box  1400  can eliminate the need for a receiver card in each panel. In other words, the panels of certain embodiments include no receiver card. 
     The controller  1800  may be a remotely located or located on-site in various embodiments. The controller  1800  is configured to provide data to display to the data receiver box  1400 . The output of the controller  1800  may be coupled through a network cable  1840  to the data receiver box  1400 . The data receiver box  1400  is housed in a housing that is separate from housings of each of the LED display panels  1300  (for example,  FIG. 14 ). Alternatively, the output of the controller  1800  may be coupled to an ingress router of the internet and the data receiver box  1400  may be coupled to an egress router if the controller  1800  is located remotely. 
     Referring to  FIG. 29A , the controller  1800  comprises a sending card  1810  and a power management unit (PMU)  1820 . The PMU  1820  receives power and provides operating voltage to the sending card  1810 . The sending card  1810  receives data through data cables and provides it to the output. The sending card  1810  may comprise receiver and transmitter circuitry in various embodiments for processing the received video, up-converting, and down converting. In one or more embodiments, the sending card  1810  may be configured to receive data from the respective data receiver box  1400 . The sending card  1810  may communicate with the data receiver box  1400  using an internet communication protocol such as Transmission Control Protocol and/or the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) protocol in one embodiment. Alternatively, other suitable protocols may be used. In some embodiments, the communication between the sending card  1810  and the data receiver box  1400  may be performed using a secure protocol such as SSH or may be encrypted in other embodiments. 
       FIG. 29B  illustrates a controller connected to the receiver box through a wireless network connection in which the data to be displayed is transmitted and received using antennas  1831  at the controller  1800  and the data receiver box  1400 . 
     The data input  1830  may be coupled to a computer  1850 , for example, to a USB or DVI output. The computer  1850  may provide data to the sending card  1810 , for example, through the USB and/or DVI output. 
     The data receiver box  1400  connects the LED display panels with data to be displayed on the integrated display and with power to power each of the LED display panels  1350 . The data receiver box  1400  may transmit the media or data to be displayed in a suitable encoded format. In one or more embodiments, the data receiver box  1400  transmits analog video. For example, in one embodiment, composite video may be outputted by the data receiver box  1400 . Alternatively, in one embodiment, YPbPr analog component video may be outputted by the data receiver box  1400 . 
     Alternatively, in some embodiments, the data receiver box  1400  transmits digital video. The output video comprises video to be displayed encoded in a digital video format by each of the display panels under the data receiver box  1400 . 
     In one or more embodiments, the data receiver box  1400  creates multiple outputs, where each output is configured for each panel under its control. Alternatively, the display panels  1350  may be configured to decode the received data and select and display only the appropriate data intended to be displayed by that particular display panel  1350 . 
       FIGS. 29C and 29D  illustrate the power transmission scheme used in powering the modular multi-panel display system. 
       FIG. 29C  illustrates the power conversion at the data receiver box  1400  produces a plurality of AC outputs that is transmitted to all the display panels. All the display panels  1350  on the same row receive output from the same AC output whereas display panels  1350  on a different row receive output from the different AC output. The power supply unit  1670  converts the received AC power to a DC current and supplies it to the LEDs  1610 . 
       FIG. 29D  is an alternative embodiment in which the AC to DC conversion is performed at the data receiver box  1400 . The power supply unit  1670  down converts the received voltage from a higher voltage to a lower voltage. 
     In either of the power transmission embodiments, the power line can be configured so that power is run across all of the row (or any other group of panels). In this manner, if the power supply of any one of the panels fails, the other panels will continue to operate. One way to assist in the maintenance of the display system is to monitor the power at each panel to determine if any of the panels has failed. 
       FIG. 30  illustrates a schematic of a sending card of the control system for modular multi-panel display system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     The sending card  1810  may include an inbound network interface controller, a processor for processing, an outbound network interface controller for communicating with the data receiver boxes  1400  using a specific physical layer and data link layer standards. Display packets (media packaged as data packets intended for display) received at the inbound network interface controller may be processed at the processor and routed to the outbound network interface controller. The display packets may be buffered in a memory within the sending card  1810  if necessary. As an illustration, the processor in the sending card  1810  may perform functions such as routing table maintenance, path computations, and reachability propagation. The inbound network interface controller and the outbound network interface controller include adapters that perform inbound and outbound packet forwarding. 
     As an illustration, the sending card  1810  may include a route processor  1811 , which is used for computing the routing table, maintenance using routing protocols, and routing table lookup for a particular destination. 
     The sending card  1810  further may include multiple interface network controllers as described above. As an example, the inbound network interface controller may include an inbound packet forwarder  1812  to receive the display packet at an interface unit while the outbound network interface controller may include an outbound packet forwarder  1813  to forward the display packet out of another interface unit. The circuitry for the inbound packet forwarder  1812  and the outbound packet forwarder  1813  may be implemented separately in different chips or on the same chip in one or more embodiments. 
     The sending card  1810  also includes an optional packet processor  1814  for performing non-routing functions relating to the processing of the packet and a memory  1815 , for example, for route caching. For example, the packet processor  1814  may also perform media encoding in some embodiments. Additionally, in some embodiments, the sending card  1810  may include a high performance switch that enables them to exchange data and control messages between the inbound and the outbound network interface controllers. The communication between the various components of the sending card  1810  may be through a bus  1816 . 
       FIG. 31  illustrates a schematic of a data receiver box for modular multi-panel display system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 31 , a large multi-panel display modular system  1300  may include multiple data receiver boxes  1400  for displaying portions of the multi-panel modular display system  1300 . The data receiver box  1400  receives the output of the controller  1800  through a network cable  1840 . The data receiver box  1400  is configured to provide power, data, and communication to the LED display panels  1350  through integrated power and data cables  1860 . 
     The data receiver box  1400  comprises an interface unit  1910  that receives the network data according to the internet protocol, e.g., TCP/IP. The data receiver box  1400  may include a designated IP address and therefore receives the output of the controller  1800  that is specifically sent to it. In case the controller  1800  and the data receiver box  1400  are part of the same local area network (LAN), the data receiver box  1400  may also receive data designated towards other similar data receiver boxes in the network. However, the interface unit  1910  is configured to select data based on the IP address and ignore data destined to other boxes. The interface unit  1910  includes necessary interface controllers, and may include circuitry for up-converting and down-converting signals. 
     The power management unit  1920  receives an ac input power for powering the data receiver box  1400  as well as the corresponding display panels  1350  that are controlled by the data receiver box  1400 . In one embodiment, the power management unit  1920  comprises a switched mode power supply unit for providing power to the display panels  1350 . The power management unit  1920  may be placed inside a faraday cage to minimize RF interference to other components. In various embodiments, the output from the power management unit  1920  is isolated from the input, which is connected to the AC mains. Accordingly, in various embodiments, the power management unit  1920  comprises a transformer. The primary side of the transformer is coupled to the AC mains whereas the secondary side of the transformer is coupled to the components of the data receiver box  1400 . The power management unit  1920  may also include a control loop for controlling the output voltage. Depending on the output current and/or voltage, the primary side may be regulated. 
     As examples, in one or more embodiments, the power management unit  1920  may comprise flyback, half-bridge, full-bridge, or push-pull topologies. 
     The signal processing unit  1930  receives the media packets from the interface unit  1910 . The signal processing unit  1930  may be configured to process media packets so as to distribute the media packets through parallel paths. In one or more embodiments, the signal processing unit  1930  may be configured to decode the media packets and encode them into another format, for example. 
     The system management unit  1940  receives the parallel paths of the media packets and combines with the power from the power management unit  1920 . For example, the media packets destined for different rows of the display panels may be forwarded through different output paths using different integrated power and data cables  1860 . The power for powering the display panels from the power management unit  1920  is also combined with the media packets and transmitted through the integrated power and data cables  1860 . 
       FIG. 32  illustrates a method of assembling a modular multi-panel display in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 32 , a mechanical support structure such as a frame is assembled as described above in various embodiments (box  1921 ). A plurality of LED display panels is attached directly to the mechanical support structure using a plurality of coupling mechanisms (box  1922 ). A receiver box is attached to the mechanical support structure (box  1923 ). The receiver box includes power circuitry with an ac power input and an ac power output. The receiver box further includes digital circuitry configured to process media data to be displayed by the LED display panels. AC power from the receiver box is electrically connected to each of the LED display panels (box  1924 ). Media data from the receiver box is electrically connected to each of the LED display panels (box  1925 ). For example, a plurality of integrated data and power cables are interconnected. 
       FIGS. 33-37  illustrate particular embodiments relating to an integrated data and power cord for use with modular display panels. 
       FIG. 33  illustrates a cross-sectional view of an integrated data and power cord in accordance with embodiments. For example, the integrated data and power cord may be used as the integrated power and data cable  1860  in  FIGS. 29A and 29B  and/or the input cable  1360  or the output cable  1365  in  FIG. 18 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 33 , the integrated power and data cable  1860  includes a first plurality of wires  2011  for carrying data and a second plurality of wires  2012  for carrying power. The power may be a/c or dc. The first plurality of wires  2011  may include twisted pair. The length of the first plurality of wires  2011  and the second plurality of wires  2012  may be controlled to prevent the signal propagation delay within each LED display panel within a specific time. The first plurality of wires  2011  may be configured to transport data at a high bit rate, e.g., at least 1 Mbit/s and may be 100-1000 Mbit/s. To minimize noise, the cable  2010  as a whole may be shielded or the first plurality of wires  2011  may be shielded separately. The shielding may be accomplished by a conductive outer layer formed around the first and the second plurality of wires  2011  and  2012 . 
       FIG. 34 , which includes  FIGS. 34A and 34B , illustrates cross-sectional views of connectors at the ends of the integrated data and power cable in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.  FIG. 34A  illustrates a first connector that is configured to fit or lock into a second connector illustrated in  FIG. 34B . For example, the first connector  1370  and the second connector  1375  may be attached to corresponding input cable  1360  and output cable  1365  of the display panel  1350  as illustrated in  FIG. 18 . 
     In various embodiments, the endpoints of the input cable  1360  is opposite to the endpoints of the output cable  1365  so that they may be interlocked together or interlocked with an adjacent panel. For example, the endpoint of the integrated data and power input cable  1360  is interlocked with an endpoint of an integrated data and power output cable  1365  of an adjacent panel, for example, as illustrated in  FIG. 19  and  FIG. 20 . 
     In one embodiment, a subset of the endpoints of the input cable  1360  is a male type pin while a remaining subset of the endpoints of the input cable  1360  is a female type pin. This advantageously allows the electrical connection to be made securely. 
     Referring to  FIG. 34A , the first connector  1370  includes a plurality of first openings  2020  configured to receive a plurality of pins from another connector. The plurality of first openings  2020  comprises a conductive internal surface, which is a female pin, that is configured to establish an electrical contact with an incoming male pin. The first connector  1370  further includes a plurality of second openings  2030  configured to receive power male pins from another connector. Thus, the connector is designed to integrated power and data. The pins  2031  protrude out of the plurality of second openings  2030  and are configured to fit into corresponding openings (i.e., female pins) of another connector. 
     The diameters of the plurality of first openings  2020  and the plurality of second openings  2030  may be different to account for the different currents being carried through each. 
     The plurality of first openings  2020  and the plurality of second openings  2030  are formed inside a first protruding section  2070  that is configured to lock inside a second protruding section  2170  of another connector. The enclosing material  2040  provide insulation and protection against external elements such as water. 
     A sealing cover  1380  is configured to lock with the another connector and configured to prevent moisture from reaching inside the connector 
     As further illustrated in  FIG. 34B , the second connector  1375  is configured to receive a connector similar to the first connector  1370 . Thus, the pins  2121  of the second connector  1375  are configured to fit into the corresponding first openings  2020  of the first connector  1370 . The plurality of first openings  2120  may be optional and may not be used in some embodiments. Similarly, the plurality of second openings  2130  of the second connector  1375  comprises a conductive internal surface, which is a female pin, that is configured to establish an electrical contact with an incoming male pin. 
     Similar to  FIG. 34A , the plurality of first openings  2020  and the plurality of second openings  2030  of the second connector  1375  in  FIG. 34B  are formed inside a second protruding section  2170  that is configured to lock with the first protruding section  2070  of another connector. 
       FIG. 35 , which includes  FIGS. 35A and 35B , illustrates cross-sectional views showing the first connector locked with the second connector in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.  FIG. 35A  illustrates the first connector aligned to the second connector, while  FIG. 35B  illustrates the first connector securely locked to the second connector with the sealing cover sealing the connectors. 
     Referring to  FIG. 35A , the plurality of first openings  2020 , pins  2031  are connected to corresponding to first and the second plurality of wires  2011  and  2012  respectively. As illustrated, the electrical pins/openings of the first connector  1370  are configured to be lock with the electrical pins/openings of the second connector  1375 . Further, there may be additional mechanical locking points to secure the two connectors. In one embodiment, the first connector  1370  comprises a concentric opening  2041  configured to fit in a locking position with the concentric ring  2042  on the second connector  1375 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 35B , the first protruding section  2070  is disposed inside the second protruding section  2170  when locked. The sealing cover  1380  is moveable seals over the first and the second protruding sections  2070  and  2170  thereby preventing any moisture from entering into the connectors. The sealing cover  1380  may be able to screw over a portion of the second connector  1375  in the direction indicated by the arrow in  FIG. 35B  in one embodiment. 
       FIG. 36 , which includes  FIGS. 36A and 36B , illustrates one embodiment of the first connector previously illustrated in  FIG. 34A  and  FIGS. 35A and 35B .  FIG. 36A  illustrates a planar top view while  FIG. 36B  illustrates a projection view. 
       FIG. 37 , which includes  FIGS. 37A and 37B , illustrates one embodiment of the second connector previously illustrated in  FIG. 34B  and  FIGS. 35A and 35B .  FIG. 37A  illustrates a planar top view while  FIG. 37B  illustrates a projection view. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 36 and 37 , besides the features previously discussed, embodiments of the present invention may also radial alignment features for radially aligning the first connector  1370  with the second connector  1375 .  FIG. 36A  illustrates a first type of radial alignment features  2080  while  FIG. 37A  illustrates a second type of radial alignment features  2180 . The first type of radial alignment features  2080  is configured to correctly align with the second type of radial alignment features  2180 . 
     Although the preferred embodiment has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.