Flexible pixel element and signal distribution means

• US 8,604,509 B2
• Filed: 09/11/2012
• Issued: 12/10/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Daktronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Daktronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Wendler, Brett David, Bravek, Eric Steven, Grebel, Erich J.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, CUONG QUANG
• Application Number:
  US13/609,647
• Publication Number:
  US 20130002634A1
• Time in Patent Office: 455 Days
• Field of Search: 257 88-103, 257/E33.072, 257/E33.059, 257/E33.057
• US Class Current: 257/99
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1446 display composed of modules, e.g. video walls
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2300/0426 Layout of electrodes and connections
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2370/045 using multiple communication channels, e.g. parallel and serial
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/32 semiconductive, e.g. using light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/00 Circuit arrangements for operating light sources in general, i.e. where the type of light source is not relevant

Abstract

Discreet flexible pixel elements connected in series comprise flexible pixel strings that are conformably applied to irregular shapes and surfaces thereby to produce free-form electronic displays and signage. Means for serial connection of discreet flexible pixel elements enable efficient power, data and control signal distribution. Image data conversion means translates conventional graphical image data into visual image data and control signals to drive discreet flexible pixel elements. The discreet flexible pixel element, serial connection means, and signal distribution means of the present invention enable efficient, economical production of large scale, free-form electronic displays, signs and lighting effects.

Claims

1. A power and signal distribution system, comprising:

a plurality of flexible pixel strings each including at least two discrete flexible pixel element devices conjoined in series; and

at least one serial line controller including one or more serial line driver electronic circuits configured to supply operating power, image data, and one or more control signals to the plurality of flexible pixel strings,

wherein each of the plurality of flexible pixel strings are operatively conjoined with the at least one serial line controller thereby apportioning the plurality of flexible pixel strings into a flexible pixel string array.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one serial line controller comprises at least one printed circuit board including the one or more serial line driver electronic circuits.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least two discrete flexible pixel element devices of each of the plurality of flexible pixel strings are interchangeable.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein each discrete flexible pixel element device can be interchangeably connected in series with a plurality of like discrete flexible pixel element devices to embody one of the plurality of flexible pixel strings.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of flexible pixel strings is interchangeable.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the serial line controller is an off-board serial line controller.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the discrete flexible pixel element devices include at least five power and signal conductors configured to transmit operating power, image data and one or more control signals from a first discrete flexible pixel element device to a second discrete flexible pixel element device in a series transmission.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the discrete flexible pixel elements devices includes:

a pixel electronics assembly, including at least one light-emitting pixel element and pixel element electronics configured to drive the at least one light-emitting pixel element;

at least one input flexible cable, including at least one input conductor electrically coupled to the pixel element electronics; and

at least one output flexible cable, including at least one output conductor electrically coupled to the pixel element electronics.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the pixel element electronics include at least one pixel element driver configured to operatively drive the at least one light-emitting pixel element and at least one driver controller configured to operatively control the at least one pixel element driver.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein each of the discrete flexible pixel elements further comprises a power and signal distribution system configured to operatively distribute operating power, image data, and one or more control signals to the at least one light-emitting pixel element and the pixel element electronics.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the at least one input flexible cable of each discrete flexible pixel element is configured to receive at least one of operating power, image data, and one or more control signals from the at least one serial line controller or a discrete flexible pixel element device electrically coupled to the at least one input flexible cable.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the at least one output flexible cable of each discrete flexible pixel element is configured to distribute at least one of operating power, image data, and one or more control signals to a discrete flexible pixel element device electrically coupled to the at least one output flexible cable.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein the at least one light-emitting pixel element comprises at least one light-emitting diode.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the pixel element electronics include a constant-current light-emitting diode driver.

15. The system of claim 8, wherein the at least one light-emitting pixel element comprises a plurality of light-emitting pixel elements of various colors.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the various colors are selected from the group consisting of red, green, blue, cyan, magenta, and yellow.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the plurality of light-emitting pixel elements of various colors comprises colored light-emitting diodes.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the at least one pixel element driver comprises at least one on-board multi-channel constant-current light-emitting diode driver device with pulse-width modulate control means for driving per channel a plurality of red light-emitting diodes, per channel a plurality of green light-emitting diodes, and per channel a plurality of blue light-emitting diodes.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the at least one pixel element driver comprises two on-board multi-channel 3-channel constant-current light-emitting diode driver devices with pulse-width modulate control means for driving per channel a plurality of red light-emitting diodes, per channel a plurality of green light-emitting diodes, and per channel a plurality of blue light-emitting diodes, per channel a plurality of cyan light-emitting diodes, per channel a plurality of magenta light-emitting diodes, and per channel a plurality of yellow light-emitting diodes.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the at one pixel element driver comprises at least one on-board multi-channel constant-current light-emitting driver device for driving per channel a plurality of light-emitting pixel elements of various colors.