Multi-color segmented display

• US 20060001598A1
• Filed: 06/30/2004
• Published: 01/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Litech Electronic Products Limited
• Original Assignee: Litech Electronic Products Limited
• Inventors: Wong, Chi Biu Gorden, Lei, Luiz
• Granted Patent: US 7,015,877 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/34
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/302 characterised by the form or geometrical disposition of the individual elements
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/33 being semiconductor devices, e.g. diodes
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/14 Semiconductor devices, e.g. diodes

Abstract

A multi-color segmented LED or other light emitting arrangement display includes specially designed segments such that there are two or more rooms within one segment. When one or more LEDs or light emitting arrangements with different colors are placed in each room of a segment, the segment will generate a very special light effect—a multi-colored segment. In one aspect, it is possible to control the height of the wall between rooms such that a mixed color light effect is produced between the adjacent rooms. The multi-color segmented display can be used in a variety of applications.

Claims

1. A multi-color segmented display comprising:

a display including a plurality of segments, at least one of the segments including a plurality of rooms wherein light emitting device arrangements for different colors are placed in adjacent rooms thereby effectively producing a multi-colored segment; and

a controller that drives the segments on an individual basis to allow selective illumination of segments on the display to provide the desired illumination pattern with the illuminated segments,

wherein the segments are driven to produce a display including the multi-colored segment when displaying the desired illumination pattern.

2. The display of claim 1 wherein the display segments are arranged in a form for a digital clock.

3. The display of claim 1 wherein the light emitting devices are light emitting diodes (LED).

4. The display of claim 1 wherein the multi-colored segment includes at least one wall dividing the segment into the plurality of rooms.

5. The display of claim 4 wherein the at least one wall has a height such that a mixed color light effect between the adjacent rooms is produced.

6. The display of claim 1 wherein;

the multi-colored segment includes two rooms.

7. The display of claim 1 wherein the multi-colored segment includes a wall placed concentric within the segment to produce concentric rooms.

8. The display of claim 1 wherein the multi-colored segment includes three rooms, wherein a first room and a second room are adjacent to each other, and the second room is adjacent to a third room.

9. A digital clock comprising:

a housing;

a display secured to the housing, the display including a plurality of segments, at least one of the segments including a plurality of rooms wherein light emitting device arrangements for different colors are placed in adjacent rooms thereby effectively producing a multi-colored segment; and

a controller that drives the segments on an individual basis to allow selective illumination of segments on the display to provide the desired illumination pattern with the illuminated segments,

wherein the segments are driven to produce a display including the multi-colored segment when displaying the desired illumination pattern.

10. The digital clock of claim 9 wherein the light emitting devices are light emitting diodes (LED).

11. The digital clock of claim 9 wherein the multi-colored segment includes at least one wall dividing the segment into the plurality of rooms.

12. The digital clock of claim 11 wherein the at least one wall has a height such that a mixed color light effect between the adjacent rooms is produced.

13. The digital clock of claim 9 wherein the multi-colored segment includes two rooms.

14. The digital clock of claim 9 wherein the multi-colored segment includes a wall placed concentric within the segment to produce concentric rooms.

15. The digital clock of claim 9 wherein the multi-colored segment includes three rooms, wherein a first room and a second room are adjacent to each other, and the second room is adjacent to a third room.