Display system having module display panel with circuitry for bidirectional communication

• US 10,706,770 B2
• Filed: 05/22/2015
• Issued: 07/07/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ultravision Technologies, LLC (Ultravision International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Ultravision Technologies, LLC (Ultravision International Inc.)
• Inventors: Hall, William Y.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lamb, Christopher R
• Application Number:
  US14/720,544
• Publication Number:
  US 20160019831A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,873 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1601 Constructional details related to the housing of computer displays, e.g. of CRT monitors, of flat displays constructional details related to flat displays integrated in a portable computer, e.g. laptop, handheld computer G06F1/1637; constructional details related to television receivers H04N5/64
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/20 Cooling means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1612 Flat panel monitor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1446 display composed of modules, e.g. video walls
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/22 electroluminescent electroluminescent light sources per se H05B33/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 15/0006 planar structures comprising one or more panels
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2013/222 with LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2300/026 Video wall, i.e. juxtaposition of a plurality of screens to create a display screen of bigger dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2310/0235 Field-sequential colour display
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2310/024 Scrolling of light from the illumination source over the display in combination with the scanning of the display screen
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/041 Temperature compensation
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/062 Adjustment of illumination source parameters
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/0633 by amplitude modulation of the brightness of the illumination source
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/064 by time modulation of the brightness of the illumination source
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/0693 Calibration of display systems
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2330/02 Details of power systems and of start or stop of display operation
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2330/12 Test circuits or failure detection circuits included in a display system, as permanent part thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2354/00 Aspects of interface with display user
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2360/04 Display device controller operating with a plurality of display units
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2360/14 Detecting light within display terminals, e.g. using a single or a plurality of photosensors
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2360/141 : the light conveying information used for selecting or modulating the light emitting or modulating element
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2360/144 : the light being ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2360/145 : the light originating from the display screen
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2360/16 : Calculation or use of calculated indices related to luminance levels in display data
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2370/04 : Exchange of auxiliary data, i.e. other than image data, between monitor and graphics controller
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2380/06 : Remotely controlled electronic signs other than labels
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/006 : Electronic inspection or testing of displays and display drivers, e.g. of LED or LCD displays testing individual LED's G01R31/2635; testing lamps G01R31/44; testing of optical features of LCD displays G02F1/1309
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/2096 : Details of the interface to the display terminal specific for a flat panel suitable for both CRT and flat panel G09G5/006; specific for a CRT G09G1/167
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/32 : semiconductive, e.g. using light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3208 : organic, e.g. using organic light-emitting diodes [OLED]
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3233 : with pixel circuitry controlling the current through the light-emitting element
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3406 : Control of illumination source illumination devices structurally associated with liquid crystal cells G02F1/1336
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3413 : Details of control of colour illumination sources
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3426 : the different display panel areas being distributed in two dimensions, e.g. matrix
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/003 : Details of a display terminal, the details relating to the control arrangement of the display terminal and to the interfaces thereto specific for a CRT G09G1/165; for a flat panel G09G3/2092

Abstract

A modular display panel includes a plastic housing having a recess, a printed circuit board disposed in the recess, a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) attached to the printed circuit board, a transparent potting compound overlying the LEDs, a driver circuit attached to the printed circuit board, and a heat sink disposed between a back side of the housing and the printed circuit board. The heat sink thermally contacts the back side of the housing and the printed circuit board. The panel also includes a power supply and a network interface controller.

Claims

1. A modular display panel comprising:

a housing comprising plastic having a recess;

a printed circuit board disposed in the recess, wherein the printed circuit board comprises a first side and an opposite second side;

a plurality of LEDs arranged as pixels attached to the first side of the printed circuit board, wherein the pixels are arranged in an array of pixels comprising a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns;

a LED controller integrated circuit (IC) chip comprising a down converter and a driver circuit coupled to the printed circuit board, the driver circuit configured to select a current for powering the plurality of LEDs;

a media processing IC chip comprising a network interface controller comprising a unique media access control (MAC) address for being individually addressed by an external network device outside the modular display panel, wherein

the media processing IC chip physically contacts the opposite second side of the printed circuit board,

the LED controller IC chip is a different IC chip from the media processing IC chip,

the network interface controller is configured to enable bidirectional communication at both a first input/output and a second input/output of the network interface controller, the bidirectional communication being between the modular display panel, the external network device, and one or more additional modular display panels, wherein

the modular display panel is configured to communicate bidirectionally at both the first input/output and the second input/output during operation,

the modular display panel is configured to determine that the modular display panel requires replacing,

the bidirectional communication comprises data to be displayed at the modular display panel in a first direction and monitoring information of the modular display panel in an opposite second direction, the monitoring information comprising an indication that the modular display panel requires replacing, wherein the first direction is from the external network device to the modular display panel and the opposite second direction is from the modular display panel to the external network device, and

the media processing IC chip comprising the network interface controller configured to enable the bidirectional communication is disposed within the housing;

a power supply supplying power to the LED controller IC chip and the media processing IC chip;

a first integrated data and power cable comprising a first external end and a first internal end, the first integrated data and power cable extending through a back side of the housing, wherein the first internal end is enclosed within the housing and electrically coupled to the printed circuit board and the power supply, and wherein the first external end comprises a first integrated data and power connector;

a second integrated data and power cable comprising a second external end and a second internal end, the second integrated data and power cable extending through the back side of the housing, wherein the second internal end is enclosed within the housing and electrically coupled to the printed circuit board and the power supply, wherein the second external end comprises a second integrated data and power connector, and wherein the first integrated data and power connector and the second integrated data and power connector are configured to be electrically and physically connected to corresponding integrated data and power cables of adjacent additional modular display panels;

a framework of louvers disposed over the printed circuit board, the framework of louvers disposed between rows of the LEDs, wherein the framework of louvers is attached to the printed circuit board;

a height extending from a first edge of the modular display panel to an opposite second edge of the modular display panel;

a width extending from a third edge of the modular display panel to an opposite fourth edge of the modular display panel;

wherein the printed circuit board extends to within an edge distance of each of the first edge, the opposite second edge, the third edge, and the opposite fourth edge;

wherein the pixels are separated in the array by a pitch;

wherein the pitch is greater than the edge distance;

wherein the power supply comprises a power converter for converting AC power to DC power;

wherein the network interface controller is configured to transmit and receive data using an internet communications protocol; and

wherein the network interface controller is further configured to enable a unique IP address for the modular display panel.

2. The display panel of claim 1, wherein the power supply is mounted within the housing.

3. The display panel of claim 1, further comprising a sensor to detect an ambient lighting parameter and a processor to set display lighting in accordance with a detected ambient lighting parameter.

4. The display panel of claim 1, wherein the network interface controller is further configured to transmit and receive data using a near field communication protocol.

5. The panel of claim 1, wherein the down converter is configured to down convert a DC voltage at a first level to a DC voltage at a second level that is lower than the first level.

6. The display panel of claim 1, further comprising a heat sink disposed between the back side of the housing and the printed circuit board, the heat sink thermally contacting the back side of the housing.

7. The display panel of claim 1, wherein the network interface controller is configured to transmit and receive data using a wireless channel.

8. The modular display panel of claim 1, wherein the first integrated data and power connector is a socket, and wherein the second integrated data and power connector is a plug.

9. The modular display panel of claim 1, wherein the second external end further comprises a sealing cover configured to go over a corresponding first integrated data and power connector of a corresponding first integrated data and power cable of an adjacent additional modular display panel thereby hermetically sealing both the corresponding first integrated data and power connector and the second integrated data and power connector, the sealing cover comprising a locking feature securely locking the corresponding first integrated data and power cable to the second integrated data and power cable.

10. A display panel comprising:

a printed circuit board comprising a first side and an opposite second side;

a plurality of display elements attached to the first side of the printed circuit board and arranged as pixels in an array, the array comprising a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns;

a first enclosure comprising a media processing integrated circuit (IC) chip comprising a network interface card coupled to the plurality of display elements, wherein

the media processing IC chip physically contacts the opposite second side of the printed circuit board,

the media processing IC chip comprising the network interface card is disposed within the first enclosure,

the network interface card comprises an unique media access control (MAC) address,

the network interface card is configured to enable bidirectional communication at both a first input/output and a second input/output of the network interface card, the bidirectional communication being between the display panel, an external network device, and one or more additional display panels, wherein the display panel is configured to communicate bidirectionally at both the first input/output and the second input/output during operation,

the first input/output and the second input/output are each exposed through an exterior surface of the display panel,

the display panel is configured to determine that the display panel requires replacing,

the bidirectional communication comprises data to be displayed at the display panel in a first direction and monitoring information of the display panel in an opposite second direction, wherein the first direction is from the external network device to the display panel and the opposite second direction is from the display panel to the external network device, and

the monitoring information comprises an indication that the display panel requires replacing;

a second enclosure disposed outside the first enclosure and mounted to a back side of the housing, the second enclosure comprising power supply circuitry for supplying power to the plurality of display elements;

a first integrated data and power cable comprising a first external end and a first internal end, the first integrated data and power cable extending through a back side of second enclosure, wherein the first internal end is enclosed within the second enclosure and electrically coupled to the printed circuit board and the power supply circuitry, and wherein the first external end comprises a first integrated data and power connector;

a second integrated data and power cable comprising a second external end and a second internal end, the second integrated data and power cable extending through the back side of the second enclosure, wherein the second internal end is enclosed within the second enclosure and electrically coupled to the printed circuit board and the power supply circuitry, wherein the second external end comprises a second integrated data and power connector, and wherein the first integrated data and power connector and the second integrated data and power connector are configured to be electrically and physically connected to corresponding integrated data and power cables of adjacent additional display panels;

a framework of louvers disposed over the printed circuit board, the framework of louvers disposed between rows of display elements, wherein the framework of louvers is attached to the printed circuit board;

a height extending from a first edge of the display panel to an opposite second edge of the display panel;

a width extending from a third edge of the display panel to an opposite fourth edge of the display panel;

wherein the printed circuit board extends to within an edge distance of each of the first edge, the opposite second edge, the third edge, and the opposite fourth edge;

wherein the pixels are separated in the array by a pitch;

wherein the pitch is greater than the edge distance;

wherein the power supply circuitry comprises a power converter for converting AC power to DC power;

wherein the network interface card is configured to transmit and receive data using an internet communications protocol; and

wherein the network interface card is further configured to enable a unique IP address for the display panel.

11. The display panel of claim 10, further comprising a recess within the first enclosure and the printed circuit board is disposed within the recess, wherein the plurality of display elements is disposed on the printed circuit board.

12. The display panel of claim 10, wherein the first integrated data and power connector is a socket, and wherein the second integrated data and power connector is a plug.

13. The display panel of claim 10, wherein the second external end further comprises a sealing cover configured to go over a corresponding first integrated data and power connector of a corresponding first integrated data and power cable of an adjacent additional modular display panel thereby hermetically sealing both the corresponding first integrated data and power connector and the second integrated data and power connector, the sealing cover comprising a locking feature securely locking the corresponding first integrated data and power cable to the second integrated data and power cable.

14. A modular multi-panel display system comprising:

a mechanical support structure; and

a plurality of display panels mounted to the mechanical support structure so as to form an integrated display panel;

wherein each one of the plurality of display panels comprises

a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged as pixels attached to a first side of a printed circuit board, wherein the pixels are arranged in an array of pixels comprising a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, wherein the printed circuit board comprises a second side opposite to the first side,

a LED controller integrated circuit (IC) chip comprising a direct current down converter and a driver circuit coupled to the printed circuit board, the driver circuit configured to select a current for powering the plurality of LEDs,

a media processing IC chip comprising a network interface card comprising a unique media access control (MAC) address for being individually addressed by an external network device outside of the respective one of the plurality of display panels,

the media processing IC chip physically contacts the second side of the printed circuit board,

wherein the network interface card is configured to enable bidirectional communication at both a first input/output and a second input/output of the network interface card, the bidirectional communication being between the one of the plurality of display panels, the external network device, and one or more remaining ones of the plurality of display panels, wherein the display panel is configured to communicate bidirectionally at both the first input/output and the second input/output during operation,

wherein each one of the plurality of display panels is configured to determine that the one of the plurality of display panels requires replacing,

wherein the bidirectional communication comprises data to be displayed at the one of the plurality of display panels in a first direction and monitoring information of the one of the plurality of display panels in an opposite second direction, wherein the first direction is from the external network device to the display panel and the opposite second direction is from the display panel to the external network device,

wherein the monitoring information comprises an indication that the one of the plurality of display panels requires replacing, and

wherein the media processing IC chip comprising the network interface card configured to enable the bidirectional communication between the one of the plurality of display panels and the external network device is disposed within a housing of each one of the plurality of display panels;

wherein ones of the display panels each include a first integrated data and power input cable comprising a first external end and a first internal end, wherein the first internal end is enclosed within the housing, and wherein the first external end comprises a first integrated data and power connector connected to a corresponding integrated data and power cable of a first adjacent display panel to receive data and alternating current (AC) power from the first adjacent display panel;

wherein the ones of the display panels each also include a second integrated data and power input cable comprising a second external end and a second internal end, wherein the second internal end is enclosed within the housing, and wherein the second external end comprises a second integrated data and power connector connected to a corresponding integrated data and power cable of a second adjacent display panel to provide data and AC power to the second adjacent display panel; and

wherein ones of the display panels each further include a framework of louvers disposed over the printed circuit board, the framework of louvers disposed between rows of the LEDs, wherein the framework of louvers is attached to the printed circuit board; and

wherein the network interface card is configured to transmit and receive data using an internet communications protocol.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein each housing encloses the plurality of LEDs of each display panel, and wherein a common enclosure disposed outside the housing and mounted to a back side of the housing, the common enclosure comprising a power supply circuitry for supplying power to the plurality of LEDs, wherein the network interface card is disposed in the common enclosure.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the display panels are arranged in an array of rows and columns, each display panel of each row being electrically connected to an adjacent display panel within that row via an integrated data and power cable.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein, a first panel of the plurality of display panels in a row comprises a unique IP address.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the network interface card is configured to transmit and receive data using a near field communication protocol.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein the network interface card is configured to enable a unique IP address for each display panel.

20. The system of claim 14, wherein the network interface card is configured to transmit and receive data using a wireless channel.

21. The modular multi-panel display system of claim 14, wherein each first integrated data and power connector is a socket, and wherein each second integrated data and power connector is a plug.

22. A modular display panel comprising:

an interface circuit having a unique media access control (MAC) address, the interface circuit configured to

receive data to be displayed,

receive power for displaying the data,

transmit data to be displayed to an adjacent display panel,

transmit power for displaying the data to the adjacent display panel,

be addressable individually using the MAC address by an external network device outside the modular display panel,

establish channels for bidirectional communication at both a first input/output and a second input/output of the interface circuit, the channels for bidirectional communication being between the modular display panel, the external network device, and one or more additional modular display panels, wherein the modular display panel is configured to communicate bidirectionally at both the first input/output and the second input/output during operation, wherein the modular display panel is configured to determine that the modular display panel requires replacing, and wherein the bidirectional communication comprises data to be displayed at the modular display panel in a first direction and monitoring information of the modular display panel in an opposite second direction, the monitoring information comprising an indication that the modular display panel requires replacing, wherein the first direction is from the external network device to the modular display panel and the opposite second direction is from the modular display panel to the external network device;

a display area configured to display the data to be displayed at a front side of the modular display panel;

a power converter configured to receive the power from the interface circuit and generate a direct current;

a display controller circuit configured to

receive power from the power converter,

down convert a voltage of the received power,

select a current for powering individual display elements of the display area, and

provide the down converted received power to the individual display elements of the display area;

a display circuit comprising

a monitoring circuit configured to monitor the modular display panel and communicate using the established channels for the bidirectional communication,

a memory configured to store the data, and

a processor configured to decode a graphics component of the data and provide display information to the display controller circuit;

a printed circuit board comprising a first side and an opposite second side, wherein

the front side of the printed circuit board comprises the display area,

the interface circuit is included in a media processing integrated circuit (IC) chip, and

the media processing IC chip physically contacts the opposite second side of the printed circuit board;

a first integrated data and power cable comprising a first external end and a first internal end, the first integrated data and power cable extending through a back side of a housing of the modular display panel, wherein the first internal end is enclosed within the housing and electrically coupled to the interface circuit and the power converter, and wherein the first external end comprises a first integrated data and power connector;

a second integrated data and power cable comprising a second external end and a second internal end, the second integrated data and power cable extending through the back side of the housing, wherein the second internal end is enclosed within the housing and electrically coupled to the interface circuit and the power converter, wherein the second external end comprises a second integrated data and power connector, and wherein the first integrated data and power connector and the second integrated data and power connector are configured to be electrically and physically connected to corresponding integrated data and power cables of adjacent additional modular display panels;

a framework of louvers disposed over the printed circuit board, the framework of louvers disposed between rows of the individual display elements, wherein the framework of louvers is attached to the printed circuit board;

wherein the power converter is configured to convert AC power to DC power;

wherein the interface circuit is configured to transmit and receive data using an internet communications protocol; and

wherein the interface circuit is further configured to enable a unique IP address for the modular display panel.

23. The display panel of claim 22, wherein the modular display panel is configured to

transmit the monitoring information using a wireless channel, and

receive and transmit the data to be displayed to the adjacent display panel using a cable.

24. The modular display panel of claim 22, wherein the first integrated data and power connector is a socket, and wherein the second integrated data and power connector is a plug.