System for decreasing energy usage of a transparent LCD display case
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for controlling a backlight comprising:
- a display case comprising a housing and an access panel, the access panel comprising front and rear glass panels;
a transparent display and associated backlight positioned between the front and rear glass panels;
an access panel sensor positioned to determine whether the access panel is open or closed; and
a controller electrically connected to the backlight and access panel sensor, where the controller measures the amount of time that has passed since the access panel was closed and drives the backlight at one or more non-zero percentages of its normal operating level based upon the amount of time that has passed since the access panel was closed.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for controlling a backlight is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing and door. A transparent liquid crystal display and associated backlight is positioned between front and rear glass panels of said door. A door sensor is positioned to detect if the door is open or shut, and a controller connected to the backlight and door sensor measures the amount of time that has passed between door openings and drives the backlight at various levels based upon the elapsed time.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for controlling a backlight comprising:
-
a display case comprising a housing and an access panel, the access panel comprising front and rear glass panels; a transparent display and associated backlight positioned between the front and rear glass panels; an access panel sensor positioned to determine whether the access panel is open or closed; and a controller electrically connected to the backlight and access panel sensor, where the controller measures the amount of time that has passed since the access panel was closed and drives the backlight at one or more non-zero percentages of its normal operating level based upon the amount of time that has passed since the access panel was closed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A method for controlling a backlight of a transparent display housed within an access panel of a display case and electrically connected to a controller comprising the steps of:
-
displaying advertising images on the transparent display; determining if the access panel of the display case housing the transparent display is closed; calculating the time elapsed since the access panel was closed; and operating the backlight at a predetermined non-zero power level according to the time elapsed such that the advertising images continue to be displayed on the transparent display. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A method for controlling a backlight of a liquid crystal display (LCD) located in a door of a display case and electrically connected with a network interface device comprising the steps of:
-
accepting backlight data from the network interface device, said backlight data comprising a first reduced backlight level corresponding with a first time threshold, a second reduced backlight level corresponding with a second time threshold; operating the backlight at normal operation power level; recording the elapsed time following a closing of the door and driving the backlight at normal operation power level; operating the backlight at the first reduced backlight level if the elapsed time reaches a first time threshold; and operating the backlight at the second reduced backlight level if the elapsed time reaches a second time threshold. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
-
Specification