Optical display device and method of operating an optical display device
First Claim
1. An optical display device with a set of LEDs which are connected in series or in parallel, said optical display device comprising:
- a set of LEDs comprising a matrix, said matrix comprising at least one column of at least one LED, with the LEDs in each column being connected in series and the columns being connected in parallel, first control circuit means which are connected to at least each column and act as a controllable current source to set a constant current through the corresponding column(s), logic circuit means for delivering different clock pulses with different frequencies to the first control circuit means for cyclic switching of at least one LED to generate signals that are visible to the human eye and at the same time signals that are not visible to the human eye, and second control circuit means connected to the matrix and the first control circuit means, for acting as a controllable voltage source to adjust the voltage across the LEDs as a function of the current injected.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An optical display device has a set of LEDs arranged in a matrix and includes control circuitry which acts as a controllable current source and as controllable voltage sources. The control circuitry enables a constant current to be applied for each LED, and respective voltages to be established accordingly. Due to the additional logic circuitry which deliver different clock pulses at different frequencies for cyclic switching of at least one LED, signals that are visible to the human eye are generated and at the same time signals that are not visible to the human eye are also generated. The signals that are not visible are digitally coded and transmitted for appropriately adapted reading devices. Thus additional information for a variety of purposes can be made available, especially in the communications and traffic area, simultaneously with the lighting up of the LEDs. This refers in particular to traffic control systems, diagnosis and monitoring. An optical display device designed in this way permits a design, for example, as a taillight, brake light, flashing indicator light and the like in a motor vehicle or with other traffic and communications means and also in equipment in production facilities while permitting favorable production at the same time due to reduced fault in assembly and ease of adjustment of the light values.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. An optical display device with a set of LEDs which are connected in series or in parallel, said optical display device comprising:
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a set of LEDs comprising a matrix, said matrix comprising at least one column of at least one LED, with the LEDs in each column being connected in series and the columns being connected in parallel, first control circuit means which are connected to at least each column and act as a controllable current source to set a constant current through the corresponding column(s), logic circuit means for delivering different clock pulses with different frequencies to the first control circuit means for cyclic switching of at least one LED to generate signals that are visible to the human eye and at the same time signals that are not visible to the human eye, and second control circuit means connected to the matrix and the first control circuit means, for acting as a controllable voltage source to adjust the voltage across the LEDs as a function of the current injected. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of operating an optical display device with a set of LEDs arranged in series or in parallel, said method comprising the steps of:
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setting a constant current through said LEDs;
cyclically switching said LEDs by a logic control means at a frequency that is not visible to the human eye and at the same time delivering an optical signal visible to the human eye, and emitting coded digital signals for suitable adapted reading devices; and
controlling the voltage across the LEDs as a function of the current infected. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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Specification