Patent Publication Number: US-2003231151-A1

Title: Apparatus and method for light enhancing

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001] METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LIGHT ABSORBING U.S. Ser. No. 09/964,004 filed on Sep. 25, 2001.  
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002] Not Applicable  
       REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX” 
       [0003] Not Applicable  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0005] The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for enhancing light output from light emitting diodes in pixel groups in a visual display by passive control of contrast. More particularly, to enhance light output by control of reflections of downwardly cast ambient light that diminishes contrast.  
       [0006] 2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 AND 1.98  
       [0007] Visual display systems exist providing moving images in color, for example, a television show or videotape and such display signs have not provided large vivid video images, especially those subject to ambient outdoor or inside light. In particular, visual displays designed for outdoor and indoor use have been prohibitively expensive to operate, to purchase, and to maintain. Lack of brightness is a serious problem for visual displays. Reflected light from other sources, especially other signs, the sun, the moon and other lights on the ceiling or on adjacent structures reduce the ability of viewers to perceive the pictures displayed by the sign. These visual displays have of a plurality of lighting units, some of which are turned off, and therefore black, at any particular moment, and some that are illuminated with color and at various brightness levels in order to show the picture.  
       [0008] In U.S. Pat. No. 4,621898 a radiant energy filter is formed from a transparent plate for high filtration efficiency. The plate has a plurality of etched grooves with a light absorbency for energy radiating toward the grooves from within the plate. Therefore, light entering the plate from an angle that would cause it to impinge upon the grooves is highly attenuated and light entering the plate and not impinging upon the grooves is attenuated only by the optical characteristics of the plate. Thus there is attenuation of light entering from beyond a view range, as compared with light reflected to a view range. The background of this patent is of particular instructive with respect to attenuation filters and so it and the entire disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 4,621,898 is incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof.  
       [0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,745,293 has a light trap for a parallel light beam including an entry with a frustoconical opening and a conical body attached to a back wall of the trap. The opening narrows with a cone angle from the outside towards the inside and has at the outside its diameter equals to the diameter of the light beam. The conical body reflects light uniformly in all directions. Thus, unwanted light is a nuisance as it can disturb the processing operations by generating spurious images in processing devices or by modifying the luminous intensity in instruments for measuring intensity.  
       [0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,142,781 has a thin synthetic material plate of fluorescent materials to trap or collect ambient light. The trapped light is sent effectively to exit visibly and measurably at arbitrary points on the plate. A fluorescent plate of this type in passive electro-optical displays, that function as light valves, creates a visual display having an increased ambient brightness adaptive illuminous density as electrically regulated or controlled between a light transmission state and a light scattering or blocking state.  
       [0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,877,829 has an liquid crystal display with a light source, a first optical element for collimating light emitted from the source and restricting the direction of emission of the light entering the first optical element to the direction of the normal axis thereof. The first optical element is between and parallel to the light source and the liquid crystal display so illumination is substantially by light travelling along the normal axis of the liquid crystal display. The directionality of the emission from the first optical element determines the directionality of the light going out and has the highest intensity of the liquid crystal display. If seen from any other direction, no light reaches the observer, so that the liquid crystal display seems black as if the light source was not activated. By using such a first optical element having directionality, it becomes impossible to observe the display content from directions other than the intended direction, regardless of the narrow or broad viewing angle characteristics of the liquid crystal display.  
       [0012] U. S. Pat. No. 5,882,105 has a visual display lighting system of a series of individual lighting modules each with a printed circuit board containing drive circuitry and a plurality of light sources wherein each module has a reflector unit for each light source and a covering lens. A pair of retainers locks to the ends of a lighting panel to hold the module in the system. The retainers quickly release from the ends when the module is removed from the front of the system. The lighting panel has clips for locking the printed circuit board and it holds the plurality of light sources into the lighting panel. The printed circuit board can be quickly released and removed from the rear of the system.  
       [0013] U.S. Pat. No. 5,947,592 has a visual display with a lighting unit including a reflector that is nearly completely sealed and has a reflecting surface that spreads the emitted light about eight degrees from the plane of circumference of the reflector. To cool the lighting unit, air is directed along the rear surface of the sealed reflector so a small amount of the air enters the sealed reflector, causing a buildup of pressure inside the reflector and preventing any additional air from entering the reflector. The lighting units are attached to the visual display at a downward angle of about eight degrees from the horizontal.  
       [0014] The disclosures of these listed patents are incorporated by reference and made a part hereof.  
       [0015] Ambient light reduces the contrast of outdoor signs in two ways. First, when a lighting unit is off, the blackness of the lighting unit is only as dark as the downwardly cast ambient light reflected from that unlit visual display or portions thereof. Second, when it is lit, colors mix with the downwardly cast ambient illumination and tend to wash out the richness of the visual display. Thus, the unwanted external light reflections and mixing diminish the contrast of the picture, causing the viewer to have difficulty perceiving the picture being displayed, especially when that picture is a video or moving picture in color. Thus, a need exists for a lighting unit that will enhance the contrast ratio of the visual display, without using components expensive to add or operate. The contrast ratio is the sum of the light from the visual display plus the downwardly cast ambient light reflected divided by the downwardly cast ambient light reflected. Consequently, the brightness of the visual display increases with decreasing reflection of ambient light and with less ambient light available to mix with the illuminated image.  
       [0016] A need remains for large visual displays capable of showing moving images that can be located outdoors at remote locations such as on a building or on a free standing pylon or located indoors in large buildings such as arenas or casinos. All such signs are subject to downwardly cast ambient illumination that reduces the contrast and thus apparent brightness of light emitting diode visual,displays. Typically the bulk of the amount of downwardly cast ambient light comes from above the visual display whether indoor or outside.  
       [0017] A need exists to enhance the apparent brightness as seen from in front of visual display signs with light emitting diodes used to form images subject to downwardly cast ambient light from above. Many light emitting diodes in pixel groups couple to electronic drive circuitry form large signs driven by processors to display varying images, such as a very large television picture and similar signage.  
       [0018] A need also exists to build a universal sign with a large visual display showing moving images that mount to a variety of structures without regard to if the light emitting diodes in the sign are subject to varying downwardly cast ambient light conditions primarily from above. A light enhancement reduces or eliminates reflection or glare due to such downwardly cast ambient light conditions shining on the sign.  
       [0019] Added to difficulties in seeing moving pictures on outdoor signs under downwardly cast ambient light that wash out the light from the sign, viewers often find it difficult to see the picture when viewed from an angle other than directly in front of the sign. If viewed by standing below and close to the sign or passing by the side of the sign, most of the light radiated from the light sources is directed toward the front of the sign or it would be diffused too far from the edges of the light sources.  
       [0020] Under the teachings of the present invention, a visual display is disclosed solving the above needs by providing light sources that are covered by a light shade to reduce or eliminate reflections of downwardly cast ambient light from above thereby increasing the contrast ratio. Affordable light sources used in visual displays must provide highly visible moving pictures at the NTSC standard 30 images per second for indoor and outdoor lighting conditions. The light emitting diode pixel groups preferably have a downward angle of about eight degrees from the horizontal to have bright and consistent images for viewers below or at a distance from the visual display. Thus much of the downwardly cast ambient light from eight degrees or above the light emitting diodes tends to be reflected toward viewers.  
       [0021] In addition, a need exists for a method to easily resist accumulation of and removal of dust from and about the light emitting diodes and their light shades as that dust would reflect or scatter downwardly cast ambient light or reduce light output from the light emitting diodes.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0022] The concept of a light absorber for a visual display was disclosed on the identified related application. This disclosure concerns a specific improvement thereof wherein a light shade positioned above each light emitting diode pixel group receives and absorbs light coming towards the visual display from primarily above and thereby eliminates or substantially reduces reflection of and/or mixing of that downwardly cast ambient. Downwardly cast illumination comes from ceiling fixtures (inside) or the sky and sun (outside). It has been found that most of the reflections received by viewers of visual displays comes from the downwardly cast ambient light. Also light from standard indoor lighting ceiling fixtures is primarily cast downwardly and so would likewise come from above the visual display signs. Control of such downwardly cast ambient light can significantly enhance contrast and improve the visibility of the visual display for viewers in front and there beneath. The visual display disclosed includes a series of individual light emitting diodes preferably in pixel groups of light emitting diodes. Each pixel is the single dot of light on the visual display. All images are made up of a collection of pixels, with each pixel being either off (dark) or on (illuminated, possibly in color). The number of pixels available determines the resolution of the visual display.  
       [0023] Each of the light emitting diodes electrically couples to a printed circuit board containing drive circuitry and with other adjacent light emitting diodes is a pixel group. The preferred visual display of the present invention has groups of typical three light emitting diodes called as each pixel.  
       [0024] Unlike incandescent bulbs, that waste a large share of the energy they consume warming a filament, light emitting diodes produce relatively little heat, meaning a greater amount of their energy is used to produce light. With the cost of electrical power increasing substantially, it is timely to make the visual displays more energy efficient, as it does not take too long to recoup the investment in efficient light emitting diodes. Light emitting diodes also last much longer than conventional filament bulbs, reducing maintenance costs and servicing disruptions caused by crews replacing incandescent bulbs. The life expectancy of the light emitting diodes is at least ten years and as much as fifteen years.  
       [0025] Light emitting diode visual displays include arrays of several colors of diodes (red, blue and green) wherein each light emitting diode is smaller than a pushpin. The colors can be independently illuminated and the light of several can blend to form all of the different colors in the visual displays of words and/or pictures. Each light emitting diode contains a bit of semi-conducting material; usually gallium that releases red, amber or green light as current excites the atoms of the semi-conducting material. The semi-conductor includes a clear plastic housing as a lens to concentrate the light toward the direction of observers, making each light emitting diode appear brighter. As the cost of semi-conductors has fallen, the price of energy has risen. Light emitting diodes for signage has become cost effective. Because of the potential energy savings, light emitting diodes in new signs and retrofitting are viable. The increased brightness and truer colors are added pluses.  
       [0026] The visual display has preferably a video, a message board, or combination of both. The visual display may be any type of plurality of light emitting diodes as a signal such as a stop and go lights, automotive turn or brake signal lights or cautionary road or traffic lights that might be impaired by reflection of downwardly cast ambient light. Thus, the reduction of the effects of such downwardly cast ambient light on the visual display increases the visibility of the information delivery or signals presented. The minimization of reflections passively minimizes the amount of energy required to provide signals or adequate displays and improves clarity all at less cost.  
       [0027] Light shades disclosed are above the light emitting diodes for maximum control of reflection of downwardly cast ambient light from above. As the visual displays are mounted above the viewers, each is directed at an angle to the ground so that the pictures displayed can be easily seen by viewers. Light shades are preferably mounted over each light emitting diode arrays or pixel group. Arrays of light emitting diodes may each consist of three or more of different colors carried on a printed circuit board each light emitting diode connected by its electrical coupling terminals.  
       [0028] A support preferably carries bases for the pixel groups in the visual display in position for observation of the visual display from locations generally in front of and below. The support is preferably a sheet with a panel like shape with a plurality of spaced rectangular openings on, for example, two-inch centers horizontally and vertically for receiving a rear portion of each base in a snap engagement. Vertical as used herein is with respect to the horizon but as disclosed the visual display support may preferably angle toward the observer and still be substantially vertical. Each base is generally hollow and cube shape with a front facing light emitting diode pixel group and the rear portion engagement. At least one printed circuit board for each pixel group is carried on the support toward the rear portion and the printed circuit board may include driving circuitry for the visual display. A plurality of light emitting diodes are most preferably each coupled to the each printed circuit board by wire terminals so that each printed circuit board holds at least one pixel group. Each printed circuit board might include electronic drive circuitry for controlling the delivery of power to the plurality of light emitting diodes.  
       [0029] A light shade extends forwardly from the support cantilever over lenses of the light emitting diodes. Thus the printed circuit board is spaced back from the lens by the terminals while the printed circuit board is normal to the generally horizontal light shade located above the plurality of light emitting diodes. The light shade most preferably is configured for shading each of the plurality of light emitting diodes from downwardly cast ambient light. The light shade preferably has at least one narrow cranny for absorbing downwardly cast ambient light received by the visual display from locations generally above the visual display to prevent the downwardly cast ambient light from being reflecting therefrom for observation by viewers. The light shade most preferably has a plurality of light reflective surfaces facing locations generally above the visual display. Pairs of light reflective surfaces are preferably opposed at an acute angle so as to receive downwardly cast ambient light and reflect it between the opposed light reflective surfaces and toward the narrow cranny positioned whereat the pairs of light reflective surfaces join. The adjacent pairs of opposite light reflective surfaces preferably join at a plurality of sharp edges facing upwardly relative to the visual display and extending normal to the observed surface thereof. As viewed close up in cross section or from in front the leading edge of the plurality of adjacent pairs of opposed light reflective surfaces preferably appear as a series of connected “WWW” configurations facing upwardly. A sharp front end on the light shade is preferred to minimize the surface of the “WWW” configurations from reflecting light. The plurality of sharp edges when facing locations generally above of the visual display they angle slightly toward the overhead light if view from a side. The angularity may be adjusted for trapping most of the incoming downwardly cast ambient light from locations generally above the visual display but an obtuse angle relative to the a plane of the display is preferred particularly because the plane is slightly angled downward toward observers.  
       [0030] The trapping of downwardly cast ambient light assures that dark areas of shade appear when observed. The dark areas of shade are primarily about each of the pixel groups formed of light emitting diodes. The plurality of sharp edges split received downwardly cast ambient light and the pairs of reflective surfaces in combination with the narrow crannies located inwardly of the plurality of sharp edges trap the light. The light shade as positioned extends over, like a visor or eve each light emitting diode array pixel group to trap received downwardly cast ambient light. The plurality of sharp edges alternately may be located generally in a horizontal plane cantilever above the generally vertical pixel groups. Generally vertical means with reference to the disclosed embodiment is angled slightly toward the observer or as shown normal to the line of sight and not true vertical. It is preferred that the base also have a series of horizontally disposed “WWW” configurations facing outwardly to capture any light and minimize reflection. The related application, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LIGHT ABSORBING U.S. Ser. No. 09/964,004 filed on Sep. 25, 2001 is incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof as it includes a disclosure of the horizontally disposed “WWW” configurations.  
       [0031] A method of shading downwardly cast ambient light received on a lighted visual display may have steps including shading each of the plurality of light emitting diodes with the light shade disposed for trapping light from locations generally above the visual display. The step of shaping the light shade to reduce reflection of downwardly cast ambient light received by the visual display from locations generally above of the visual display prevents reflecting light toward observers. Including on the light shade at least one narrow cranny facing upwardly for absorbing light from above is a step in the method. The preferred steps of having on the light shade a plurality of light reflective surfaces facing up and mounting pairs of light reflective surfaces opposed at an acute angle to collect downwardly cast ambient light reflect it there between to the narrow crannies at the junctures of each pair. The steps of providing the light emitting diodes mounted to printed circuit boards having electronic drive circuitry for controlling the delivery of power are most preferred. The further step of joining adjacent pairs of opposed light reflective surfaces with a plurality of sharp edges facing locations generally above of the visual display may be practiced. The step of presenting in cross section the plurality of adjacent pairs of opposed light reflective surfaces as a series of connected “WWW” configurations so their sharp edges face up. The plurality of sharp edges preferably splitting received downwardly cast ambient light and the pairs of reflective surfaces with the narrow crannies located inwardly of the plurality of sharp edges trap ambient light.  
       [0032] The method may include the steps of locating a plurality of sharp edges generally horizontal about the plurality of light emitting diodes with an ovoid light pattern for the visual display. The ovoid pattern has a longer horizontal dimension. Curving the series of connected “WWW” configurations formed by the plurality of adjacent pairs of opposed light reflective surfaces in a slight arc with respect to the vertical such that when viewed in plan the curvature is dished for trapping ambient light from in front of the visual display. The light enhancement provided so that dark areas appear about each of the light emitting diodes during observation. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
     [0033]FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the placement of the visual display for observation.  
     [0034]FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the visual display of FIG. 1 from shown from in front illustrating a front portion of one pixel group and its base shown exploded from a support for the visual display of FIG. 1 of the present invention.  
     [0035]FIG. 3 is a side view of the base for the pixel group shown in FIG. 2 illustrating the construction of a base with its middle portion shown partially cut away to illustrate how a printed circuit board is carried and coupled to power light emitting diodes.  
     [0036]FIG. 4 is a partial side view in elevation of several bases for supporting pixel groups in stacked relation and mounted to the support.  
     [0037]FIG. 5 is a front view of one pixel group base as seen from in front of FIG. 2.  
     [0038]FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the pixel group of FIG. 2.  
     [0039]FIG. 7 is a schematic showing of a ray trace between reflective surfaces of a light shade. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     [0040] Turning to FIG. 1, a visual display  100  in accordance with the present invention is shown in a perspective view. Although the visual display  100  in FIG. 1 is shown as being in a preferred outdoor location, it is to be understood that the visual display  100  is not limited to outdoor placement and that it may also be situated within a structure. Therein the surrounding elements and support structure may vary from those shown in FIG. 1. For example, the visual display  100  can be placed flat against the exterior wall of a building or the interior wall of a room, or hang freely from the ceiling within a room, or stand atop the roof of a building. The visual display  100  is preferably situated to be easily visible to the viewers  10  who may be some distance from and below the visual display  100 .  
     [0041] The mounting location of the visual display  100  should be convenient for cleaning or servicing and not dependent on the variation of, direction of or amount of downwardly cast ambient light to which the visual display may be subject. Hence, the present invention permits locating the visual display  100  inside, outside and toward more, less and/or varying downwardly cast ambient light conditions. The visual display  100  for observation has a structure  101  for mounting the visual display in position for observation of the visual display from locations generally in front of the visual display, as best shown in FIG. 1 by the line of sight therein included.  
     [0042]FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a pixel group  121  composed of a plurality of light emitting diodes  122  for the embodiment of the visual display  100 . It should be appreciated that the particular light emitting diode while important to the visual display  100  is interchangeable. With the energy conservation needs of present day, the disclosure herein includes any light emitting diode  122  that skilled artisans may, could or would know about for visual display  100  as disclosed herein after in detail.  
     [0043] The visual display  100  for observation has a support  101  for mounting the visual display  100  in position for observation from locations generally in front and slightly below as seen in FIG. 1. A plurality of openings  120  on the support  101  are provided to carry a plurality of pixel groups  121  of light emitting diodes  122  in the visual display  100  for delivery of an image. A printed circuit board  123  is electrically coupled to each pixel group  121  for electrically driving each of the light emitting diodes  122 . The partial cut away shown in FIG. 3 has the side edge of printed circuit board  123 . A base  124  as shown in the partial perspective view of FIG. 2, has a generally cube shape with a hollow interior  125  also in FIG. 3. Base  124  includes a front  126 , middle  127  and back  128  for carrying each of the light emitting diodes  122  in each pixel group  121 . Printed circuit board  123  positions the light emitting diodes  122  near front  126  as best seen in side views of FIGS. 3 and 4 wherein the light emitting diodes  122  extend beyond the front  126 . Printed circuit board  123  is located near middle  127  but could be closer to front  126  or back  128 . Back  128  fits into an opening  120  sized to carry one base  124 ; specifically shown in FIG. 4 with the opening  120  in the base  124  depicted as a side view wherein tang  129  is engaged in a snap fit relation to the opening  120 .  
     [0044] A light shade  130  is shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and  4  extended cantilever from the base  124 . Light shade  130  is located primarily above each of light emitting diodes  122  in the pixel groups  121  extending forwardly cantilever from base  124 . Light shade  130  is configured for extend above each pixel groups  121  of light emitting diodes  122 . Pixel group  121  is disposed for observation thereof from locations generally in front and slightly below the visual display  100  as shown in FIG. 1. Light shade  130  is facetted to reduce reflection of generally downwardly cast ambient light received by the visual display  100  from locations generally above the visual display and to prevent the downwardly cast ambient light from being reflected therefrom for observation see FIGS. 2, 3,  4 ,  5  and  6 . In particular, FIG. 4 shows how the light reflected from base  124  beneath might reach pixel group  121  there above but for light shade  130 .  
     [0045] Light shade  130  includes a plurality of generally upwardly facing narrow crevices  131  in FIGS. 5 and 6 for absorbing light when support  101  is in a substantially vertical position as shown in FIG. 1 and carries base  124  normal there to substantially horizontally therefrom. Substantially vertical includes the slight downward angle in the range of 10 to 30, see “A” in FIG. 2, degrees from the horizontal typically used to provide the sight line shown between the observer  10  in visual display  100  shown in FIG. 1. This angle is shown in FIG. 2 and designated as “A”Light shade  130  has a plurality of light reflective surfaces  132  facing locations generally above visual display  100 . The plurality of light reflective surfaces  132  is arranged so that pairs  133  of light reflective surfaces are opposed at an angle relative to one another to receive downwardly cast ambient light and reflect that ambient there between. The angle “B” is acute so that reflection of the received ambient is directed toward a narrow crevice  131  in FIG. 5. Each narrow crevice  131  is positioned whereat its respective pair  133  of light reflective surfaces  132  join acutely. These arrangements are best seen in FIG. 4 a front view of but one pixel group  121  base  124  and more particularly the light shade  130 . Light shade  130  is tipped upwardly at and angle “C” in the range of five to ten degrees to the horizontal for maximum light trapping effect.  
     [0046] Each pixel group  121  has plurality of light emitting diodes  122  of different colors selected from the colors red, green or blue which by means of printed circuit board  123  are energized to create images with a full spectrum of color in a well known manner. Light emitting diodes  122  have intensity tolerances that can vary widely and skilled artisans understand how to measure and balance light intensities so that the resulting visual displays  100  look natural. One technique is to use more of the weakest intensity of color to offset the low output of that color consequently, FIGS. 2 and 5 have empty spaces for receiving more light emitting diodes  122 . Thus pixel group  121  could have any number of red, blue or green light emitting diodes  122 . The size of each pixel group  121  is immaterial under the teachings of the present invention. Depending on the size of visual display  100  and the distance of the observers  10 , skilled artisans can select the number of pixel groups  121  needed to provide observable images.  
     [0047] Electronic drive circuitry  135  shown as a trace layer in the cut away of FIG. 3 is carried on printed circuit board  123  to selectively control the delivery of power to each light emitting diode  122  of pixel group  121 . Each light emitting diode  122  see FIG. 3 has a chip  136 , a reflector  137  and a colored lens  138  for dispersion of light essential toward locations generally in front of visual display  100 . Reflector  137  may reside in a generally normal plane to the direction of light transmitted from light emitting diode  122  and normal to light shade  130  as in FIGS. 1 and 3. The colored lenses  138  of the light emitting diodes  122  are preferably shaped to produce an ovoid light pattern toward locations generally in front of visual display  100 .  
     [0048] Consistent with the teachings of METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LIGHT ABSORBING U.S. Ser. No. 09/964,004 filed on Sept. 25, 2001 by the same inventors and assigned to the same assignee, Mikohn Gaming Inc. of Las Vegas, Nev. the is a light absorber  139 . Light absorber  139  in FIGS. 3, 4 and  5  has a plurality of generally horizontal opposing pairs  140  of reflecting surfaces  141  with each pair  140  joined in a narrow cranny  142 . Plurality of generally horizontal opposing pairs  140  of reflecting surfaces  141  is positioned on front  126  of base  124  about each pixel group  121  thereon in FIGS. 1, 2 and  3 . Light absorber  139  is carried in a generally normal to the sight line and spaced a preset distance “D” from reflector  137  while facing toward the direction of locations generally in front of the visual display  100  as in FIG. 3. Each colored lens  138  is select from the group, of red, blue, green, so the light emitting diodes  122  can be made to provide the desired color of light. Plurality of light reflective surfaces  141  face locations generally in front of visual display  100  so there is essentially no observed reflected ambient light.  
     [0049] Light absorber  139  presents about each pixel group  121  contrasting dark area background on visual display  100 . The plurality of generally horizontal opposing pairs  140  of reflecting surfaces  141  are acutely angled with respect to each other so that the received ambient light bounces between the acutely angled opposing light reflective surfaces  141  toward each narrow cranny  142  there between. Adjacent pairs  140  of opposing light reflective surfaces  141  join forwardly at a plurality of sharp edges  143 . Sharp edges  143  are horizontally disposed facing locations generally in front of visual display  100  so that as viewed in side view of FIG. 4 the plurality of adjacent pairs  140  of opposing light reflective surfaces  141  appear generally as a series of connected “WWW” configurations  144  in FIG. 3. The plurality of sharp edges  143  split received ambient light so that pairs  140  of reflective surfaces  141  in combination with the narrow crannies  142  located inwardly of the plurality of sharp edges  143  minimize reflection of ambient light. While light absorber  139  is generally planar the “WWW” configurations  144  can be skewed in FIGS. 3 and 4 with respect to the sight line so that the minimization of reflection is enhanced about the sight line. That is to explain that adjacent pairs  140  of opposing light reflective surfaces  141  can be arranged in FIG. 3 so that they point more toward the sight line than infinity. This effect is not as important for light shade  130  as the distance of the source of the downwardly cast ambient light are not one place. The plurality of light emitting diodes  122  each have a light pattern of that is ovoid toward locations for observation from in front of visual display  100  such that the ovoid pattern has a longer horizontal dimension. The series of connected “WWW” configurations  144  are also on light shade  130  formed by the plurality of adjacent pairs  133  of opposing light reflective surfaces  132  angle downwardly as seen in FIG. 5 to trap downwardly cast ambient light.  
     [0050] A method of shading downwardly cast ambient received on visual display  100  includes the steps of supporting visual display  100  in position for observation from locations generally in front of and slightly below visual display  100  and mounting printed circuit boards  123  on support  101 . Each printed circuit board  123  includes electronic drive circuitry  135  for visual display  100 . Further steps are coupling plurality of light emitting diodes  122  as pixel group  121  on each printed circuit board  123 . Each light emitting diode  122  is coupled with terminals  129  in the cut away of FIG. 3 for electrically driving each of the plurality of light emitting diodes  122  with electronic drive circuitry  135 . A step of light enhancement is cantilevering light shade  130  above each pixel group  121  to absorb downwardly cast ambient light and prevent reflection thereof to locations generally in front of and slightly below visual display  100 . The steps of including on light shade  130  narrow crevices  131  facing upwardly for absorbing light and placing between narrow crevices  131  a plurality of light reflective surfaces  132  facing locations generally to receive downwardly cast ambient light are preformed. The mounting opposing pairs  133  of light reflective surfaces  132  acutely angled to receive and reflect downwardly cast ambient light there between and toward narrow crevice  131  are steps wherein each opposing pair  133  of light reflective surfaces  132  join acutely. The method has the step of mounting the printed circuit boards  123  including snapping base  124  at tang  129  having cube shape into openings  120  see FIGS. 2, 3 and  4  on support  101 . The step of joining adjacent opposing pairs  133  of light reflective surfaces  132  at a plurality of sharp edges  143  form connected “WWW” configurations  144  is performed. The “WWW” configurations  144  split received downwardly cast ambient light so that pairs of reflective surfaces  133  in combination with narrow crevices  131  located inwardly of the plurality of sharp edges  143  reduce reflection of downwardly cast ambient light.  
     [0051] The steps of locating the plurality of narrow crannies  142  between the opposing acutely angled reflective surfaces  141  connected with sharp edges  143 . In light absorber  139  the sharp edges  143  are generally horizontal and in front of the printed circuit boards  123  located about pixel groups  121 . The light absorber  139  absorbs ambient light from locations generally in front of the visual display so that the dark area appear about each of light emitting diodes  122  is seen during observation.  
     [0052] The FIG. 7 shows schematically the basic design and operation of the light shade  130  on but one illustrative light ray. One pair of reflective surfaces  132  is shown in solid bolder lines as would be seen schematically in cross section. The pair of reflective surfaces  132  is preferably two mirror like or specular surfaces preferably arranged at  30  degrees to each other. To be specular in the context of this disclosure, roughness above a part of the wavelength of the light ray to be absorbed must not be on the subject reflective surfaces  132 . By way of example, if the downwardly cast ambient light ray were all red having a wavelength of 650 nanometers then the specification for the surface finish for the specular or reflective surfaces  132  would have to be a fractional part of that wavelength or for example, 300 nanometers. If by lines per inch or by other metrics, the specular or reflective surface specification could also be defined to a degree that skilled artisans understand and can produce.  
     [0053] In order to illustrate or analyze how light will travel (bounce) in FIG. 7 within light shade  130  reflective surfaces  132  are not shown unfolded as a the fan of black lines emanating or coming from the apex at narrow crevice  131  of the light shade  130 . Unfolding the light rays is an approach common to physicists&#39; to illustrating many rays and the locations of the reflective surfaces  132 . In FIG. 7 it is easier to illustrate and describe how one light ray will travel within light shade  130  if the light shade is shown schematically and not in an unfolded layout. That is to explain that the reflective or specular surfaces  132  acutely angled at 30 degrees to each other are not shown as if they were rotated about their apex so there are a plurality of such reflective surfaces  132  angled at 30 degrees with respect to one another. The path of any light ray reflections is not diagrammed by using the unfolded layout, but the number of times the light ray is reflected (bounced) can be counted and the angle of each bounce can be found from simple geometry. At each bounce the intensity of each received downwardly cast ambient light ray will be reduced ninety four percent if surface is black.  
     [0054] A sample light ray that is passing within light shade  130  between reflective surfaces  132  bounces each time it strikes one of reflective or specular surfaces  132  as shown as a line in FIG. 7. The method for shading unwanted downwardly cast ambient light is to allow the light to bounce between the reflective or specular surfaces  132  as many times as possible, because light intensity is lost by ninety four percent each time the light ray bounces. As the light rays enter along paths that are off the central or bisecting axis, there would be fewer bounces possible. Thus it is preferred for this reason that narrow crevices  131  of light shade  130  be generally upward, see FIGS. 2, 4 and  5 . Beneath and at the front of each light shade  130  is a beveled end  145  angled to minimized the reflection of ambient light from in front of the base  124  see FIGS. 2, 3 and  4 . Extending from the beveled end  145  to the light absorber  139  is a smooth surface  146  for redirecting an light that impinges there upon to the light absorber  139  or the light shade  130  immediately there below as in FIGS.  3 , and  4 . Narrow crevices  131  can be curved, if desired, by angling reflective surfaces  132  seen best in FIG. 5. The curvature orients each narrow crevice  131  to face the preponderance of incoming light. Light shade  130  approaches mainly from above and typically from a greater distance.  
     [0055] Dust problems with the horizontal disposition of light absorber  139  are no worse than any other orientation. Power washing may be used to remove dust accumulation. If horizontal orientation is a problem, the narrow crannies  142  may be position in the vertical direction, but there will be an inherent loss in effectiveness with any off axis orientation of light absorber  139 .  
     [0056] The configuration of the printed circuit board  123 , the type of light emitting diodes  122  and the design of the electronic drive circuitry  135  are immaterial to the teachings of the present invention and could be of any suitable type including those disclosed in the references in the background of this disclosure that are now made a part hereof and are incorporated by reference. The claims which follow seek to include light shades  130  that when used with light emitting diodes  122  attenuate downwardly cast ambient light enabling any light emitting diode intensity to exhibit relatively more brightness, clarity and contrast. Those skilled artisans will appreciate that changes and modifications can be made to the disclosed structure of the light shade, the light emitting diodes and their bases without departing from the scope of the following claims.