Integrated data and power cord for use with modular display panels

• US 9,131,600 B1
• Filed: 02/20/2015
• Issued: 09/08/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2013
• 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): Bui, Hung S
• Application Number:
  US14/627,923
• Time in Patent Office: 200 Days
• Field of Search: 361/826, 361/827, 361/810, 361/728, 361/730, 361/807, 361/809, 345/213, 345/1.2, 345/4
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/20 Light sources comprising attachment means
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/90 Methods of manufacture
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/023 Power supplies in a casing F21V23/003 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 31/005 Sealing arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• 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 1/182 with special features, e.g. for use in industrial environments; grounding or shielding against radio frequency interference [RFI] or electromagnetical interference [EMI]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/183 Internal mounting support structures, e.g. for printed circuit boards, internal connecting means for buses G06F13/409
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/188 Mounting of power supply units
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/189 Power distribution
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/20 Cooling means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1423 controlling a plurality of local displays, e.g. CRT and flat panel display
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1446 display composed of modules, e.g. video walls
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/147 using display panels
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/60 Memory management
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/22 electroluminescent electroluminescent light sources per se H05B33/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2013/222 with LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/3023 Segmented electronic displays
• 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 2300/04 : Structural and physical details of display devices
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/029 : by monitoring one or more pixels in the display panel, e.g. by monitoring a fixed reference pixel
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2330/02 : Details of power systems and of start or stop of display operation
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2330/045 : Protection against panel overheating
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2330/10 : Dealing with defective pixels
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2360/04 : Display device controller operating with a plurality of display units
• 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 3/32 : semiconductive, e.g. using light-emitting diodes [LED]
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/14 : Display of multiple viewports
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 11/02 : Cables with twisted pairs or quads
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 7/2825 : using a water impermeable sheath
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 9/003 : including electrical control or communication wires
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/00 : Television systems details H04N3/00, H04N5/00; methods or arrangements, for coding, decoding, compressing or decompressing digital video signals H04N19/00; selective content distribution H04N21/00
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/181 : associated with surface mounted components
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/066 : Heatsink mounted on the surface of the PCB heatsink inserted in the PCB H05K2201/10416
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10106 : Light emitting diode [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10128 : Display
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/1028 : Thin metal strips as connectors or conductors
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/32 : electrically connecting electric components or wires to printed circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0017 : with operator interface units
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0247 : Electrical details of casings, e.g. terminals, passages for cables or wiring
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0256 : of interchangeable modules or receptacles therefor, e.g. cartridge mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/03 : Covers
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/06 : Hermetically-sealed casings specially adapted for small components H05K5/0095
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1422 : Printed circuit boards receptacles, e.g. stacked structures, electronic circuit modules or box like frames
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1427 : Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20 : Modifications to facilitate cooling, ventilating, or heating
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20127 : Natural convection
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20136 : Forced ventilation, e.g. by fans H05K7/202 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/2039 : characterised by the heat transfer by conduction from the heat generating element to a dissipating body arrangements for increasing/decreasing heat-transfer, e.g. fins details, F28F13/00
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20954 : for display panels
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20963 : Heat transfer by conduction from internal heat source to heat radiating structure H05K7/20972 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 999/99 : dummy group
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/50 : Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product

Abstract

In one embodiment, a display panel includes a plurality of display elements, and image control circuitry coupled to the display elements. A power supply circuitry is coupled to the display elements. A housing encloses the display elements and the image control circuitry. The housing is sealed with respect to external elements. A first integrated data and power cable extends from outside the housing, through a housing wall and electrically connected to the image control circuitry and the power circuitry. A second integrated data and power cable extends from outside the housing, through the housing wall and electrically connected to the image control circuitry and the power circuitry.

Claims

1. A display panel comprising:

a plurality of display elements;

image control circuitry coupled to the display elements;

power supply circuitry coupled to the display elements, the power supply circuitry including an AC/DC converter;

a housing enclosing the display elements and the image control circuitry, the housing being sealed with respect to external elements;

a first integrated data and power cable extending from outside the housing, through a housing wall and electrically connected to the image control circuitry and the power circuitry; and

wherein the first integrated data and power cable comprises a connector at an end of the cable, the connector comprising;

a plurality of male connectors surrounded by an end enclosure and accessible outside the connector, each male connector of the plurality of male connectors configured to fit into a female connector, wherein the plurality of male connectors comprises three pins for carrying AC power to the power supply circuitry, and

a plurality of female connectors surrounded by the end enclosure, each female connector of the plurality of female connectors configured to receive a pin.

2. The display panel of claim 1, wherein the plurality of male connectors comprises power pins and wherein the plurality of female connectors comprises data sockets.

3. The display panel of claim 1, wherein the first integrated data and power cable comprises a sealing cover configured to lock with another connector and configured to prevent moisture from reaching inside the connector.

4. The display panel of claim 1, wherein the first integrated data and power cable comprises:

a plurality of data wires;

a plurality of power wires; and

an insulating sheath surrounding the data wires and the power wires;

wherein each male connector of the plurality of male connectors is electrically connected to a respective one of the power wires; and

wherein each female connector of the plurality of female connectors is electrically connected to a respective one of the data wires, the plurality of female connectors configured to receive plurality of male connectors from an another connector of an adjacent display panel.

5. The display panel of claim 4, wherein, at a second end of the cable, each of the data wires is electrically connected to the image control circuitry and each of the power wires is electrically connected to the power circuitry.

6. The display panel of claim 1, wherein the first integrated data and power cable comprises:

a plurality of data wires;

a plurality of power wires; and

an insulating sheath surrounding the data wires and the power wires;

wherein each male connector of the plurality of male connectors is electrically connected to a respective one of the data wires; and

wherein each female connector of the plurality of female connectors is electrically connected to a respective one of the power wires, the plurality of female connectors configured to receive plurality of male connectors from an another connector of an adjacent display panel.

7. The display panel of claim 6, wherein, at a second end of the cable, each of the data wires is electrically connected to the image control circuitry and each of the power wires is electrically connected to the power circuitry.

8. The display panel of claim 1, wherein the display elements comprise LEDs attached to an LED board, wherein a display surface of each of the LEDs is exposed outside the housing.

9. The display panel of claim 1, wherein the display elements comprise LEDs attached to an LED board, wherein a display surface of each of the LEDs is covered with potting compound outside the housing.

10. The display panel of claim 1, wherein the power supply circuitry is disposed within a power enclosure mounted to an outer surface of the housing.

11. The display panel of claim 1, further comprising a fan unit disposed within the housing.

12. The display panel of claim 11, wherein the power supply circuitry is disposed within the housing.

13. A display panel comprising:

a plurality of display elements;

image control circuitry coupled to the display elements;

power supply circuitry coupled to the display elements, the power supply circuitry including an AC/DC converter;

a housing enclosing the display elements and the image control circuitry, the housing being sealed with respect to external elements;

a first integrated data and power cable extending from outside the housing, through a housing wall and electrically connected to the image control circuitry and the power circuitry, wherein the first integrated data and power cable comprises a connector at an end of the cable, the connector comprises;

a plurality of male connectors surrounded by an end enclosure and accessible outside the connector, each male connector of the plurality of male connectors configured to fit into a female connector, and

a plurality of female connectors surrounded by the end enclosure, each female connector of the plurality of female connectors configured to receive a pin; and

a second integrated data and power cable extending from outside the housing, through the housing wall and electrically connected to the image control circuitry and the power circuitry, wherein the first and second integrated data and power cables each comprise three power wires for carrying AC power to the power supply circuitry.

14. The display panel of claim 13, wherein the first integrated data and power cable comprises an input cable and wherein the second integrated data and power cable comprises an output cable.

15. The display panel of claim 13, wherein the first and second integrated data and power cables each further comprise a plurality of data wires, each data wire having a diameter that is smaller than a diameter of the three power wires.

16. The display panel of claim 15, wherein the first integrated data and power cable comprises a connector at an end of the cable, the connector comprising:

an end enclosure having a circular cross-section;

three power pins surrounded by the end enclosure and accessible outside the connector, each power pin electrically connected to a respective one of the power wires; and

a plurality of data sockets surrounded by the end enclosure and accessible outside the connector, each data socket electrically connected to a respective one of the data wires.

17. The display panel of claim 16, wherein the three power pins are located along an arc of an inner edge of the end enclosure, the arc extending between 30°

and 160°

of an entire circumference of the inner edge.

18. The display panel of claim 17, wherein ones of the data sockets are located along the inner edge of the end enclosure and other ones of the data sockets are spaced from the inner edge by the ones of the data sockets and the power pins.

19. The display panel of claim 13, wherein the first and second integrated data and power cables each comprise a plurality of data wires, the data wires configured as twisted pairs.

20. The display panel of claim 13, wherein the first and second integrated data and power cables each comprise a plurality of power wires and a plurality of data wires.

21. 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 ones of the display panels each include a first integrated data and power cable connected to a second 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 first integrated data and power cable comprises at least one power wire configured to provide AC voltage to the respective display panel, and wherein each of the plurality of display panels comprises a power supply circuitry for converting the received AC to direct current (DC); and

wherein the ones of the display panels each also include a second integrated data and power cable connected to a first integrated data and power cable of a second adjacent display panel to provide data and AC power to the second adjacent display panel.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein each display panel comprises:

a plurality of display elements;

image control circuitry coupled to the display elements;

power circuitry coupled to the display elements and configured to convert the AC power to DC power;

a first housing enclosing the display elements and the image control circuitry; and

a second housing attached to the first housing, the second housing enclosing the power circuitry, the first housing and the second housing being sealed with respect to external elements.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the first integrated data and power cable is electrically connected to the image control circuitry and the power circuitry, and wherein the second integrated data and power cable is electrically connected to the image control circuitry and the power circuitry.

24. The system of claim 21, wherein each display panel comprises:

a plurality of display elements;

image control circuitry coupled to the display elements;

power circuitry coupled to the display elements and configured to convert the AC power to DC power;

a housing enclosing the display elements, the image control circuitry and the power circuitry, the housing being sealed with respect to external elements;

the first integrated data and power cable, which is electrically connected to the image control circuitry and the power circuitry; and

the second integrated data and power cable, which is electrically connected to the image control circuitry and the power circuitry.

25. The system of claim 21, 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.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein, for each row, a first end display panel receives an input data connection from a data source and has an output data connection to a next LED display panel in the row, each further display panel in the row until a second end display panel providing data to a next adjacent display panel.

27. The system of claim 21, wherein the display system is cooled passively and includes no air conditioning, fans, or heating units.

28. The system of claim 21, wherein the first integrated data and power cable of each of the ones of the display panel comprises:

a plurality of data wires;

a plurality of power wires;

a waterproof sheath surrounding the data wires and the power wires;

a connector at a first endpoint of the cable, the connector comprising;

data connections of a first type for receiving/transmitting data, the data connections mating with data connections of a second type of the second integrated data and power cable of the first adjacent display panel, wherein the first type comprises male and the second type comprises female or wherein the first type comprises female and the second type comprises male;

power connections of the second type for receiving/transmitting power, the power connections mating with power connections of the first type of the second integrated data and power cable of the first adjacent display panel; and

a sealing cover configured to lock with the second integrated data and power cable of the first adjacent display panel and configured to prevent moisture from reaching inside the connector.