Display system using wheel-mounted strips of flashing lights
First Claim
1. A method for displaying an image on a rotating object, the method comprising:
- providing a plurality of light sources at varying distances from center of rotation of the rotating object;
determining angular position of the rotating object at a plurality of points in time;
determining angular velocity of the rotating object;
responsive to results of the steps of determining angular position and determining angular velocity, computing ON and OFF times for each light source of the plurality of light sources so as to create appearance of the image when the light sources are turned on during the ON times and the light sources are turned off during the OFF times;
turning the light sources on during the ON times; and
turning the light sources off during the OFF times.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A strip with multiple LEDs is installed on a wheel. When the wheel rotates, the LEDs are activated by a controller in accordance with stored image files, displaying the images. The LEDs may be multi-color devices, displaying the images in multiple colors. The image files may be downloaded over a wired or wireless connection. The controller monitors a sensor to determine angular positions of the LEDs in real time. The controller may vary the images in predetermined ways, or in response to commands received wirelessly from a control device. The LEDs may be powered by a generator driven by acceleration of the wheel, or by air movement in relation to the wheel. Multiple LED strips may be installed on a wheel to improve image appearance. Multiple wheels of the same vehicle may be equipped with LED strips. The images displayed on the wheels may be coordinated over a wireless interface.
77 Citations
33 Claims
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1. A method for displaying an image on a rotating object, the method comprising:
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providing a plurality of light sources at varying distances from center of rotation of the rotating object;
determining angular position of the rotating object at a plurality of points in time;
determining angular velocity of the rotating object;
responsive to results of the steps of determining angular position and determining angular velocity, computing ON and OFF times for each light source of the plurality of light sources so as to create appearance of the image when the light sources are turned on during the ON times and the light sources are turned off during the OFF times;
turning the light sources on during the ON times; and
turning the light sources off during the OFF times. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. Display apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of light sources configured to be positioned at varying distances from center of rotation of a wheel assembly;
a first sensor that provides a signal that varies with rotation of the wheel assembly;
a control module coupled to the plurality of light sources and to the first sensor, the control module comprising a processor configured to;
receive the signal provided by the first sensor, determine angular position of the rotating wheel assembly from the signal provided by the first sensor, determine angular velocity of the rotating wheel assembly, compute ON and OFF times for each light source of the plurality of light sources so as to create appearance of an image when the light sources are turned ON during the ON times and turned OFF during the OFF times, turn the light sources on during the ON times, and turn the light sources off during the OFF times. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification