System and method for collectively displaying image by using a plurality of mobile devices

• US 9,524,698 B2
• Filed: 09/24/2014
• Issued: 12/20/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aspire Event Management Limited
• Original Assignee: Aspire Event Management Limited
• Inventors: To, Shiu Hung, Chan, Lai Chung
• Primary Examiner(s): Broome, Said
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Vu
• Application Number:
  US14/494,592
• Publication Number:
  US 20150084977A1
• Time in Patent Office: 818 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1446 display composed of modules, e.g. video walls
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/0626 for control of overall brightness
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2356/00 Detection of the display position w.r.t. other display screens
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2370/022 Centralised management of display operation, e.g. in a server instead of locally
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2370/16 Use of wireless transmission of display information
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/02 characterised by the way in which colour is displayed details of colour display specific for CRTs G09G1/28; specific for flat matrix panels other than liquid crystal displays G09G3/2003; specific for liquid crystal displays G09G3/3607
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/12 Synchronisation between the display unit and other units, e.g. other display units, video-disc players

Abstract

An image display system includes a network server. The network server is configured to operate with a plurality of mobile devices and is configured to split a predetermined image into a plurality of sub-images corresponding in quantity to the plurality of mobile devices and respectively transmit each of the sub-images to one of the mobile devices that occupies a predetermined display position of a predetermined display region. Each of the mobile devices is configured to correspondingly display a sub-image transmitted thereto, and the plurality of sub-images displayed by the plurality of mobile devices collectively re-compose the predetermined image. An image display method is also provided.

Claims

1. An image display system comprising a network server, wherein the network server is configured to operate with a plurality of mobile devices and is configured to split a predetermined image into a plurality of sub-images corresponding in quantity to the plurality of mobile devices;

the predetermined image is configured to be displayed in a predetermined display region and each of the sub-images is assigned to be displayed in a predetermined display position, occupied by one of the mobile devices, of the predetermined display region;

wherein the network server detects presence of each of the mobile devices in the predetermined display position based upon at least one of signal received from a sensor located at the predetermined display position and a radio signal received from each of the mobile devices in response to a broadcasting signal of the network server; and

wherein the network server is configured to respectively transmit each of the sub-images to a mobile device corresponding thereto in the predetermined display position after the detection of the presence of the mobile device at the predetermined display position;

wherein the network server is further configured to control synchronization of display of each of the mobile devices, update the splitting of the predetermined image when a number and the location of the mobile devices is changed, and thereafter re-send a plurality of updated sub-images correspondingly and respectively to each of the mobile devices;

each of the mobile devices is configured to correspondingly display a sub-image or an updated sub-image transmitted thereto, and the plurality of sub-images displayed by the plurality of mobile devices collectively re-compose the predetermined image.

2. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the mobile devices comprises a display screen, and display screens of the plurality of mobile devices are partially or completely different.

3. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the network server is configured to respectively transmit a plurality of predetermined images to a plurality of predetermined display regions and the plurality of predetermined images are partially or completely different.

4. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the network server is configured to prohibit change of start time during a predetermined buffer time before the start time.

5. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the predetermined image is a picture or an animation.

6. A system as recited in claim 5, wherein the picture is in a PNG, JPG or GIF format.

7. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of the sub-images is a color group;

the network server is configured to process colors of the at least one of the sub-images;

when the colors of the at least one of the sub-images are mixed, the network server processes the colors of the at least one of the sub-images into a color that has a highest proportion in the mixed colors or a lighter color of a plurality of highest proportion colors.

8. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the network server is configured to issue a warning signal to related mobile devices when a same predetermined display position corresponds to a plurality of the mobile devices.

9. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the network server is configured to save original display settings of the mobile devices and adjust displaying settings of the mobile devices according to display setting requirements tailored for the predetermined image.

10. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein each sub-image is in form of a color array, and wherein each row point of the color array is assigned with a color, wherein the system is further configured to:

process colors of the at least one of the sub-images into a color that has a highest proportion in the mixed colors or a lighter color of a plurality of highest proportion colors, when the colors of the at least one of the sub-images are mixed.

11. An image display method, comprising:

splitting, by a network server, a predetermined image into a plurality of sub-images corresponding in quantity to a plurality of mobile devices;

the predetermined image being configured to be displayed in a predetermined display region and each of the sub-images being assigned to be displayed in a predetermined display position, occupied by one of the mobile devices, of the predetermined display region;

wherein the network server detects presence of each of the mobile devices in the predetermined display position based upon at least one of signal received from a sensor located at the predetermined display position and a radio signal received from each of the mobile devices in response to a broadcasting signal of the network server;

transmitting respectively, by the network server, each of the sub-images to a mobile device corresponding thereto in the predetermined display position after the detection of the presence of the mobile device at the predetermined display position,

controlling, by the network server, synchronization of display of each of the mobile devices;

updating, by the network server, the splitting of the predetermined image when a number and the location of the mobile devices is changed, and thereafter re-send a plurality of updated sub-images correspondingly and respectively to each of the mobile devices; and

displaying correspondingly, by each of the mobile devices, a sub-image or an updated sub-image transmitted thereto, wherein the plurality of sub-images displayed by the plurality of mobile devices collectively re-compose the predetermined image.

12. A method as recited in claim 11, comprising:

displaying a plurality of predetermined images in a plurality of predetermined display regions respectively;

wherein the plurality of predetermined images displayed in the plurality of predetermined display regions are partially or completely different.

13. A method as recited in claim 11, further comprising:

authenticating access to the network server.

14. A method as recited in claim 11, further comprising:

prohibiting change of start time during a predetermined buffer time before the start time.

15. A method as recited in claim 11, wherein the predetermined image is a picture or an animation.

16. A method as recited in claim 15, wherein the picture is in a PNG, JPG or GIF format.

17. A method as recited in claim 11, wherein at least one of the sub-images is in form of a color array, and wherein each row point of the color array is assigned with a color, the method further comprising:

processing colors of the at least one of the sub-images into a color that has a highest proportion in the mixed colors or a lighter color of a plurality of highest proportion colors, when the colors of the at least one of the sub-images are mixed.

18. A method as recited in claim 11, further comprising:

issuing, by the network server, a warning signal to related mobile devices when a same predetermined display position corresponds to a plurality of the mobile devices.

19. A method as recited in claim 11, further comprising:

saving, by the network server, original display settings of the mobile devices; and

adjusting, by the network server, displaying settings of the mobile devices according to display setting requirements tailored for the predetermined image.