Patent Publication Number: US-6698121-B2

Title: Digital dasher boards for sports arenas

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to a sign system in a sports arena. More specifically, the present invention relates to an illuminated sign system integrated with a dasher board in a hockey rink. 
     2. State of the Art 
     Signs are widely used to display promotional or informational images to observers in areas where large numbers of observers may view them, such as along roads and highways. Signs are also often used in sporting events where the signs actually become a part of the arena or the enclosed boundary of an event. For example, the boundaries of a hockey rink not only serves as an advertising means with various types of sign systems, but also as a “dasher board” which takes the hockey player&#39;s abuse of bodychecks, hits from the skates, sticks and pucks. 
     A popular and inexpensive method to provide advertising in a sports arena, and specifically to the dasher board in a hockey rink, is by providing the print directly to the sign surface in a fixed form. Such fixed forms may include permanently painting the images on the dasher board or by providing already prepared vinyl images to be attached to the dasher board. However, providing images to the dasher board in a fixed form can become outdated, dull, stagnant, and ineffective from an advertising standpoint. Therefore, other methods of advertising are preferred. 
     Another very popular method of advertising in various types of sporting arenas is found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,233,772 (Bergeron et al.) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,255,463 (Werner), each disclosing a rotating sign system. Although this type of sign system provides images that are quickly and easily changeable, the images are static and are severely limited as to the number of different images that may be provided in the rotating sign system, generally no more than three. Further, the motor for the rotating sign system protrudes from the back of the sign system, which infringes on the seating room for the spectators seated immediately behind the sign system. Furthermore, the rotating sign systems typically must be operated manually and operated on location. 
     Another type of sign commonly used is an illuminated sign, which are currently used for providing both static and dynamic images with an infinite number of image displays. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,668,568 (Holloman). Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) assembled for such displays are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,410,328 (Yoksza, et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 5,174,649 (Alston) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,656,847 (Okazaki, et al.). The use of LEDs in controlled displays utilizing a trio of LEDs, e.g., a red, a blue and a green LED, to display a composite color of virtually any color in the spectrum is known and disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,595,991 (Diller) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,184,114 (Brown). Such signs are provided by projecting a matrix of light emitting diodes, typically from a black sign surface. The LEDs are activated in different patterns to create one or more sequential images including images that may be likened to a continuous moving image. Significantly, the black sign surface is used so that the image projected by the LEDs provides the necessary contrast against the black sign surface to be clearly seen by viewers under most any lighting condition. 
     Such LED sign systems are typically used in various types of sporting arenas at elevated levels, where the sign system is not subjected to physical abuse, such as occurs with the dasher boards in a hockey rink. Further, LED sign systems are necessitated at elevated levels in a hockey rink since the system&#39;s black sign surface would severely limit visibility of the black hockey puck during hockey play. 
     While it would be advantageous to provide an illuminated sign system integrated with a dasher board in a hockey rink or other similar sporting and entertainment events, such a system does not currently exist. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an illuminated sign system in a sports arena such as a hockey rink. The present invention is directed to an illuminated sign system integrated with a dasher board in a hockey rink. 
     The sign system includes a display panel member having a plurality of apertures therein and an outer frame support for supporting the display panel member. The outer frame is rectangular in shape and protrudes away from the front surface of the display panel member. The outer frame support also supports a tough, rigid transparent sheet on the front surface of the outer frame support. The sign system also includes a circuit board assembly having a plurality of light-emitting diodes (“LEDs”) attached thereto and extending therefrom, wherein the plurality of LEDs are formed in a matrix of vertical columns and horizontal rows. The circuit board assembly is proximately positioned at a rear surface of the display panel member so that the plurality of LEDs register with the plurality of display panel apertures and extend therethrough. 
     The display panel member includes a white front surface and a rear surface with the plurality of apertures penetrating through the display panel member therein. The plurality of apertures are configured in rows and columns in the display panel member to define a matrix of apertures, wherein each aperture is configured to accept a single LED or a clustered trio of LEDs from the circuit board assembly. The white front surface of the display panel member is provided for visual contrast with black hockey pucks in hockey play. 
     The outer frame support is made to rigidly support the transparent sheet so that the transparent sheet overlaps the front surface of the outer frame support. The transparent sheet in connection with the outer frame support acts as the dasher board and boundary of an ice rink, and specifically, a hockey rink. As such, the transparent sheet in connection with the outer frame support will receive the direct impact hits associated with hockey play. The transparent sheet is therefore a transparent polymer of approximately a half inch thick and made to be substantially impact resistant. 
     The circuit board assembly includes printed circuitry on at least one surface thereof and receptacles for the plurality of LEDs. Each receptacle is configured to receive an LED trio or a clustered trio of LEDs. Each LED trio includes a red LED, a green LED and a blue LED. Each LED trio may alternately be referred to as a pixel. By this arrangement, when the circuit board assembly is in a proximate position to the rear surface of the display panel member, each LED trio is made to register and protrude through a corresponding aperture in the display panel member, thereby, providing a matrix of pixels extending through the matrix of apertures. 
     In one aspect of the present invention, the circuit board assembly includes a power supply and a controller for controlling the power supply to each of the LEDs in the LED trio. As such, the controller controls the images displayed by the LEDs by controlling which LEDs in the matrix of pixels emit visual light. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, LEDs not needed for a particular image are prevented or controlled from emitting light. In another embodiment, LEDs not needed for a particular image are made to emit white light, thereby increasing the contrast of the particular image against the white front surface of the panel member. In still another embodiment, a gamma characteristic or luminance is adjustable in those energized LEDs emitting light to increase the intensity and, thereby, the contrast of the visual light against the white front surface of the panel member. 
     In another preferred aspect of the present invention, the circuit board assembly includes a plurality of circuit boards, wherein each circuit board includes a matrix of LED lamps corresponding to receptacles on each circuit board. The plurality of circuit boards are made to abut side-to-side and top-to-bottom so that each of the LED lamps register and protrude through corresponding apertures in the display panel member. Each of the LED lamps on each of the circuit boards are spaced such that when the plurality of circuit boards are made to register with corresponding apertures in the display panel, there is provided substantially evenly spaced LED lamps forming a continuous matrix. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the outer frame support is elongated, requiring multiple display panel members abutting side-to-side to form a complete single and uniform digital dasher board display. As such, the apertures formed therein are spaced such that the apertures are substantially evenly spaced from one display panel to another to form a substantially continuous matrix of apertures. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, the illuminated sign system includes at least one shock absorber to absorb impact shocks imposed on the outer frame support and the transparent sheet from being transferred to the display panel and circuit boards. Such shock absorber is thus positioned between the outer frame support and the display panel member to protect the display panel member and said circuit board assembly from the impacts received to the transparent sheet and outer frame support. 
     In one embodiment, the at least one shock absorber includes a rigid member extending through a resilient member. The rigid member is made for bolting to the outer frame support and being secured to the display panel member. The resilient member is made for absorbing the impacts to the transparent sheet to therefore prevent jarring and potentially damaging the display panel member and the circuit board assembly. 
     Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those of skill in the art through a consideration of the ensuing description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming that which is regarded as the present invention, the advantages of this invention may be ascertained from the following description of the invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a simplified perspective view of an outer frame of the digital dasher board according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a simplified top view of an ice rink having the digital dasher board according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a partial simplified cross-sectional side view of the upper sign face area according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a simplified cross-sectional side view of the sign face area according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a partial simplified front view of the digital dasher board and a simplified block diagram of a power supply and a controller according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a simplified cross-sectional side view of the shock absorber according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a simplified front view of the LED&#39;s according to the present invention; and 
     FIG. 8 is a partial simplified front view of circuit board corner portions according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the illustrations are not meant to be actual views of any particular apparatus and/or method, but are merely idealized representations which are employed to more clearly and fully depict the present invention than would otherwise be possible. Additionally, elements and features common between the figures retain the same numerical designation. 
     An exemplary embodiment of a method and apparatus incorporating teachings of a sign system is shown in FIGS. 1 through 9. FIG. 1 depicts a simplified perspective view of dasher board frame  100 . The dasher board frame  100  includes a frame base  110  and outer frame sides  112  on the right and left side thereof, and an outer frame top  114  extending from the right and left side of the outer frame sides  112 . The dasher board frame  100  also includes one or more vertical supports  116  extending from the frame base  110  to the outer frame top  114  at a back portion of the dasher board frame  100 . There is also a middle support  118  extending between the right and left sides of the outer frame sides  112 . The dasher board frame  100  is preferably made of a high-grade steel, wherein each of the above-discussed portions are rigidly connected to make the whole of the dasher board frame  100 . However, the dasher board frame  100  may be made of any suitable material as known in the art. With this arrangement, the dasher board frame  100  may be about eight feet in length and about thirty-six inches high, however, dasher board frame  100  may extend at any length by simply adding vertical supports  116  at appropriate spacings. Further, multiple dasher board frame  100  may abut side-to-side to visually appear as one dasher board frame  100 . 
     According to the present invention, FIG. 1 depicts the dasher board frame  100  to include a lower sign support  120  and an upper sign support  130 . The lower support  120  may extend from the right and left outer frame sides  112  at about nine to twelve inches above the frame base  110 , wherein the lower support  120  includes a front surface  124  and a back surface  126 . The upper sign support  130  may extend from the right and left sides of the outer frame sides  112  at an upper portion adjacent to the outer frame top  114 , wherein the upper sign support  130  includes a front surface  134  and a back surface  136 . The lower sign support  120  and the upper sign support  130  may be proximate a front side of the dasher board frame  100 , wherein the middle support  118  and the vertical support  116  are proximate a backside of the dasher board frame  100  in a recessed manner. 
     The dasher board frame  100  is configured to house a sign system, namely, a dynamic display system such as a digital dasher board  200 . As shown in FIG. 2, the digital dasher board  200  will be provided as a portion of the boundary or periphery of an ice rink in an arena, such as a sports arena having team boxes  152  and camera boxes  154 . Due to the length of the periphery, the digital dasher board  200  may be elongated or include multiple digital dasher boards  200  abutting side-to-side as previously set forth for the dasher board frame  100 . In this manner, the digital dasher board  200  is a predetermined length around one or more portions of the periphery of the ice rink  150  so that it may be segmented from portions of the periphery such as the team boxes  152  and camera boxes  154 . Thus, from a viewers point of view, the dynamic display system presents a uniform continuous image display. Further, FIG. 2 depicts the ice rink  150  to include the remote computer  156  located in the camera boxes  154 , where a remote computer  156  may act as a controller  280  (see FIG. 5) for the digital dasher board  200 . The computer  156  may be located at any remote location. 
     Reference will now be made to FIGS. 3 through 5 in describing the sign face system  202  of the digital dasher board  200 . As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the lower sign support  120  and upper sign support  130  are made for supporting the sign face system  202 . In particular, a transparent sheet is provided for attaching to a front surface of the upper sign support  130  and a front surface of the lower sign support  120  by openings  212  spaced across and upper portion and a lower portion of the transparent sheet  210 . The openings  212  are made to correspond with openings in the lower and upper sign supports  120  and  130  so that bolts  214  or some other attaching means may be used for attaching the transparent sheet  210  to the respective front surfaces  124 ,  134  of the lower and upper sign supports  120  and  130 . The transparent sheet  210  is preferably about ½ inch thick and is made of either plexiglass or lexan glass. However, the transparent sheet  210  may also be made of other adequately durable transparent materials. Further, the transparent sheet  210  may include an anti-reflective coating on a front surface and/or a back surface of the transparent sheet. Such anti-reflective coating will substantially eliminate or reduce potential glare to a viewer produced from external lighting in the arena and internal lighting of the digital dasher board  200 . The transparent sheet  210  may be attached by any means to the upper and lower support system such as by adhesive, clips, clamps or the like. 
     At the respective back surfaces  126 ,  136  of the lower and upper sign supports  120  and  130  there is included a plurality of shock absorbers  220 . As depicted in FIG. 6, each shock absorber  220  includes a resilient member  224  and bolt  222 . The bolt  222  extends through a middle portion of the resilient member  224  so that the bolt  222  projects from a front face  226  of the resilient member  224  and a back face  228  of the resilient member  224 . In this manner, the bolt  222  projecting from the front face  226  of the resilient member  224  may be attached or bolted to the respective back surfaces  126  and  136  of the lower and upper sign supports  120  and  130 . Preferably, the shock absorbers  220  are rigidly mounted to the lower and upper sign supports  120  and  130 . The resilient member  224  is preferably made from a shock absorbing rubber, but may be made from any known material known for its shock absorbing characteristics. Further, any known shock absorbing means may be used as known to one of ordinary skill in the art. 
     According to the present invention, a display panel  230  is made to attach to the plurality of shock absorbers  220 . As shown in FIG. 7, the display panel  230  includes a plurality of attachment openings  232  therein, which correspond at predetermined spacings with the bolt extending from the back face  228  of the plurality of shock absorbers  220  as attached to the upper and lower sign supports  130  and  120 . The display panel  230  also includes a plurality of apertures  234  therein configured in columns and rows over the display panel  230  to provide a matrix. Each of the plurality of apertures  234  in columns and rows are spaced at a substantially equal distance from each other. By this arrangement, the attachment openings  232  may be securely attached to each of the bolts extending from the back face of the shock absorbers  220  so that there is a space between the transparent sheet  210  and the display panel  230 . See FIGS. 3 and 4. Such space is preferably in the range of about ⅜ inch to about 2 inches and, more preferably, the space is in the range of about ⅜ inch to about 1 inch. However, such space may be any range suitable to practice the present invention. 
     The display panel  230  includes a white front face  236  and a rear face  238 . Each aperture of the plurality of apertures  234  extends through the display panel  230  from a rear face  238  to the front face  236 . The apertures  234  are shown to be circular in cross-section. However, the display panel  230  may have apertures of different shapes such as elliptic, triangular, rectangular and/or the like. Any geometric shape may be used so long as the opening has sufficient cross-section to allow light-emitting diodes (“LEDs”) to protrude therethrough (see FIG.  4 ), as will be discussed in further detail hereafter. The apertures  234  with the circular cross-section is preferred since it is easiest to form by simply drilling through the display  230 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 3-5, a circuit board assembly  240  includes a matrix or a plurality of LEDs  250  which are configured to correspond and register with the matrix or the plurality of apertures  234  in the display panel  230 . The circuit board assembly  240  includes a plurality of rectangular circuit boards  242 , each of which includes a front face  244 , a back face  246  and sides  248  which make up the periphery of each circuit board  242 . 
     The circuit boards  242  include printed circuitry on the front face  244  and/or the back face  246  and/or embedded therein. The printed circuitry includes imbedded conductors and attached electrical components all configured to deliver power to each of the LEDs mounted to receptacles  249  on the front face  244  of each circuit board  242 . In particular, the receptacles  249  are each mounted in rows and columns on the front face  244  to form a matrix of receptacles  249 . Further, each of the receptacles  249  include an LED trio  252  clustered in close proximity to each other to form a pixel, thereby forming the matrix or plurality of LEDs  250 . By this arrangement, FIG. 4 illustrates that when the circuit board assembly  240  is attached to the rear surface  238  of the display panel  230 , the matrix of LEDs  250  extending from the circuit board assembly  240  registers and protrudes through corresponding apertures  234  in the display panel  230 . As such, each LED trio  252  preferably extends about one fourth inch beyond the front face of the display panel  230 . However, each LED trio  252  may sit extended, flush, or recessed at any appropriate distance with respect to the front face  236  of the display panel  230  so that the necessary light emits therefrom. 
     As shown in FIG. 7, each LED trio  252  or pixel is a cluster of LEDs, each of which register with the receptacle  249  and the front face  244  of the circuit board  240 . Each LED trio  252  includes a red LED  254 , a blue LED  256  and a green LED  258 . Note that the triangular clustered configuration as depicted in FIG. 7 is preferred, but such configuration is not necessary. Each of the LEDs in a trio registers with the receptacle  249  for electrical connection to the circuit board  242  and the circuitry therein. In this manner, each LED in the LED trios  252  may be energized independently as desired. 
     As shown in block diagram in FIG. 5, the digital dasher board  200  includes a power supply  270  and a controller  280 . The power supply provides power to the digital dasher board  200  and, more specifically, to the circuit board assembly  240  as well as the controller  280 . The power delivered is preferably from an external source and may differ from one location to another. Thus, a highly regulated and flexible power supply  270  is preferred to facilitate power use independent of the characteristics of the power being supplied (e.g., voltage, current, power, frequency). 
     The controller  280  functions to control the circuit board assembly  240  and specifically, the plurality of LEDs  250  mounted thereto. The controller  280  comprises the computer  156  (see FIG. 2) and is configured to provide input and output signals to the digital dasher board  200  from a control interface at a remote location. The controller  280  is programmable and operable to select and activate selected LEDs in the matrix of LEDs  250 , and more specifically, selected LEDs in each of the LED trios  252 . As such, the controller  280 , via the power supply  270 , selects and illuminates particular LEDs to collectively provide images displayed from the digital dasher board  200 . 
     As shown by dashed lines in FIG. 5, the sign face system  202  comprises attaching a plurality of the circuit boards  242  to the back face of the display panel  230 . As such, the circuit board assembly  240  includes multiple circuit boards  242  abutting from side-to-side and top-to-bottom to form columns and rows of circuit boards  242  to be attached to the rear face  238  of the display panel  230 . According to the present invention, the LED trios and receptacles  249  on each of the circuit boards  242  are spaced equally such that any circuit board  242  abutting next to another circuit board  242 , provides LEDs  252  spaced equally from one circuit board  242  to another. Further, the display panel having the matrix of apertures may include multiple display panels  230  to abut side to side so that the apertures  234  therein are equally spaced from one display panel  230  to another display panel  230 . 
     Such equal spacing of LED trios  252  between adjacent circuit boards  242  and/or apertures  234  between adjacent display panels  230  is illustrated in FIG.  8 . As shown, the distance D 1  is substantially equal to the distance D 2  which in turn is substantially equal to the distance D 3  and the distance D 4  between columns and rows of LED trios  252  from circuit board  242  to circuit board  242  and/or apertures  234  between adjacent display panels  230  respectively. In this manner, the LED trios  252  provide substantially uniform images without interruption between adjacent circuit boards  242 , adjacent display panels  230 , and even adjacent digital dasher boards  200 . Thus, a substantially continuous and uniform display of images may be provided on the digital dasher board  200  about periphery portions of the ice rink  150  (see FIGS.  2  and  5 ). 
     According to the present invention, the primary reason for using “white” for the white front face  236  of the display panel  230  is to provide visual contrast with the black hockey puck, as opposed to the black background of the conventional LED display. The present invention offers the operator the ability to illuminate only the LEDs  250  that comprise an advertisers particular image, leaving the unnecessary LEDs  250  in the off position. By doing this, the viewer will see the image projected by the illuminated LEDs having a white background from the white front face  236  of the display panel  230 . 
     Alternatively, each of the LED trios  252  not needed for a particular image, may also be substantially illuminated the color white. The white illumination is employed by controlling the illumination of an LED trio  252 , i.e., red, blue and green LEDs, in a manner that collectively emits each respective color to emit a white light. The white illumination in addition to the “whiteness” of the white front face  236  has increased contrast with the color images illuminated. This option may be preferred in certain lighting conditions for adding to the contrast of certain colors and/or shades of color against the white background. 
     In addition, each of the illuminated LEDs  250 , i.e., red, blue and green, used to project a particular image, may be controlled by manipulating their “intensity” in order to increase the contrast between the desired image and the white background. The intensity is manipulated to correct a gamma characteristic. Gamma is the luminance of each color in a display (red, blue, green). Gamma correction controls or corrects the overall brightness of an image, where images not properly corrected can look either bleached out, or too dark. Such principles of gamma correction as applied in the present invention are readily known or may be readily ascertained by one of ordinary skill in the art. Further, the parameters necessary for applying the principles of gamma correction as applied in the present invention may be readily ascertained by one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,962,419 (Hibbard et al.), 5,208,661 (Jaspers), 5,949,496 (Kim) and 5,874,988 (Gu) each disclose methods of gamma and color correction in various applications, of which each disclosure is incorporated herein. 
     In gamma correction, each color has its own “gamma curve”, of which the luminance may be adjusted or manipulated on this gamma curve via software to brighten or darken each color individually. Essentially, adjusting the “gamma” or “intensity” is accomplished by adjusting the current and/or voltage (by a predetermined factor) that is provided to each of the LEDs  250 , i.e., red, blue and green. Also, the intensity may be adjusted by receiving an eight-bit video signal and mapping the video signal to a twelve-bit video signal or gamma curve to enhance and control the intensity of the colors illuminated by the LEDs  250  and, thus, the images projected therefrom. 
     In order to compensate for variables such as different lighting conditions and inherent variables in an LED sign system itself, the gamma correction is adjustable and allows for such compensations to, thereby, provide the greatest contrast between the projected images and the white front face  236 . With this in mind, it is important to realize that the human eye has a non-linear perceptual response to light and color, making the adjusting of the gamma luminance possible. The color we see in light depends on the colors wavelength (measured in nanometers), the luminance of the particular color, the area illuminated around the color, what the observer looks at prior to looking at the display and whether or not the image is moving or stationary are each factors having an effect on how we perceive the illuminated image. 
     According to an aspect of the present invention, YESCO&#39;s software can increase gamma (luminance) by a nominal percentage of, for example, about 20% and give the appearance of being about 50% brighter. When used for the digital dasher board  200 , the gamma or intensity may be adjusted so that a particular image appears brighter than it really is and, therefore, enable the image to standout over the white front face  236  of the display without having to illuminate any LEDs in the background. In essence, the images projected by the LEDs  250  are brighter and clearer to the human eye by manipulating the gamma or intensity, thereby, substantially preventing washed out images. Therefore, while the conventional LED displays use a black background to add contrast to the illuminated LEDs, the present invention provides LEDs  250  using a white background, wherein manipulation of the gamma or intensity is used to assist in adding contrast. 
     While the present invention has been disclosed in terms of exemplary embodiments and variations thereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize and appreciate that the invention is not so limited. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize and appreciate that many additions, deletions, and modifications to the disclosed embodiment and its variations may be implemented without departing from the scope of the invention, which is limited only by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.