Device for visualization of information on a rotating visible surface

• US 20060007011A1
• Filed: 11/29/2002
• Published: 01/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stefan N. Chivarov
• Original Assignee: Stefan N. Chivarov
• Inventors: Chivarov, Stefan N.
• Granted Patent: US 7,417,555 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/815.450
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 21/04 by land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/0626 for control of overall brightness
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2360/144 the light being ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/005 forming an image using a quickly moving array of imaging elements, causing the human eye to perceive an image which has a larger resolution than the array, e.g. an image on a cylinder formed by a rotating line of LEDs parallel to the axis of rotation

Abstract

A device which can be used on rotating visible surfaces of, for example, machines, appurtenances, vehicles, and fans, utilizes N light sources, evenly disposed on a flexible substrate, and connected by means of a driver to a microcontroller with an independent power supply. A synchronization sensor is connected to the microcontroller. The light sources may be LEDs-one- or three-colored (RGB). The synchronization sensor responds to gravity when mounted on a rotating surface, whose rotation axis is not perpendicular to the Earth'"'"'s surface, or is actuated at a position relative to a given immovable point, provided the rotation axis is perpendicular to the Earth'"'"'s surface. A light sensor is connected to the microcontroller, which in turn is connected to a control panel. Sensors and the control panel are disposed on the substrate. The microcontroller has a serial interface.

Claims

1. A device for visualization of information on a rotating visible surface comprising light sources including a plurality of light emitting diodes, evenly disposed in an array on a substrate and connected by means of a driver to a microcontroller having an independent power supply and mounted on the substrate, and a synchronization sensor connected to the microcontroller, the LEDs being of one or various colors, wherein the LEDs (1) are RGB, the substrate t2) is flexible, and the synchronization sensor (6) responds to gravity when mounted on a rotating surface, whose rotation axis is not perpendicular to the Earth'"'"'s surface or if the rotation axis is perpendicular to the Earth'"'"'s surface, the synchronization sensor is actuated at a position relative to a given immovable point, and wherein a light sensor (7) is connected to the microcontroller (4), which in turn is connected to a control panel (8), the two sensors (6 and 7) and the controlling panel (8) are disposed on the substrate (2) and the microcontroller (4) has a serial interface (9).

2. A device for visualization of information on a rotating visible surface according to claim 1 wherein the substrate may accommodate additional P parallel groups of LEDs, containing the same or different numbers of LEDs, which have the same or different colors, or are RGB, wherein these groups of LEDs are arranged in one of an array, a checkered pattern, or in any other preset pattern in the same plane or at various distances from the substrate (2).

3. A device for visualization of information on a rotating visible surface according to claim 1 wherein the substrate (2) is hard and has a preset profile.

4. A device for visualization of information on a rotating visible surface according to claim 1 wherein the bottom of the substrate is covered with a sticky foil (10).