Modular display panel

• US 9,978,294 B1
• Filed: 01/09/2018
• Issued: 05/22/2018
• 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): Junge, Kristina N
• Application Number:
  US15/866,294
• Publication Number:
  US 20180130388A1
• Time in Patent Office: 133 Days
• 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

Embodiments of the present invention relate to integrated modular display panels. In one embodiment, modular display panel includes a a shell with a first thermally conductive material, a printed circuit board disposed in the shell, and a plurality of LEDs attached to a first side of the printed circuit board. A driver circuit is disposed in the shell and coupled to the plurality of LEDs from a second side of the printed circuit board. The panel further includes a power supply unit for powering the LEDs. The printed circuit board are disposed between the power supply unit and the plurality of LEDs. A second thermally conductive material is disposed between the power supply unit and an outer back side of the panel. A protective structure is disposed over the first side of the printed circuit board, where a display side of the panel, opposite the outer back side, is waterproof.

Claims

1. A modular display panel comprising:

a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, wherein the first side of the modular display panel comprises a display surface of the modular display panel;

attachment points for use in attachment as part of a multi-panel modular display;

a plastic casing comprising an outer surface of the modular display panel, the outer surface being part of the second side of the modular display panel;

a recess disposed in the plastic casing;

a printed circuit board disposed in the recess;

a plurality of LEDs arranged as pixels attached to a front side of the printed circuit board, wherein the pixels are arranged in a rectangular array comprising at least fifty pixels;

a framework of louvers disposed over the front side of the printed circuit board between rows of the plurality of LEDs;

a circuit for controlling the plurality of LEDs, the circuit being attached to the printed circuit board;

a power supply for powering the plurality of LEDs;

wherein the front side of the printed circuit board is sealed to be waterproof and the plastic casing is sealed to be waterproof so that the modular display panel is sealed to be waterproof; and

wherein the modular display panel is configured to be exposed to an external environment without a protective waterproof enclosure.

2. The modular display panel of claim 1, further comprising a sealing compound disposed over the front side of the printed circuit board, wherein the front side of the printed circuit board is sealed to be waterproof by the sealing compound.

3. The modular display panel of claim 1, wherein the modular display panel is configured to be operational when submerged in water up to a depth of one meter.

4. The modular display panel of claim 3, wherein the modular display panel is further configured to be operational when submerged in water to a depth greater than one meter.

5. The modular display panel of claim 1, wherein the power supply is mounted over the outer surface of the plastic casing.

6. The modular display panel of claim 1, wherein the power supply is disposed within the plastic casing.

7. The modular display panel of claim 1, wherein the power supply comprises an alternating current/direct current (AC/DC) converter, and wherein the power supply is configured to receive AC power and output DC power to the plurality of LEDs.

8. The modular display panel of claim 1, wherein the power supply comprises a down converter that down converts a direct current (DC) voltage at a first level to a DC voltage at a second level, the second level being lower than the first level.

9. The modular display panel of claim 1, wherein a surface of each of the plurality of LEDs is exposed to the external environment.

10. The modular display panel of claim 1, further comprising a flexible cable, wherein the flexible cable comprises:

a first end configured to receive direct current (DC) power and media packets, the DC power being output by the power supply; and

a second end directly coupled to the modular display panel.

11. The modular display panel of claim 1, further comprising an integrated data and power connector comprising:

data connectors surrounded by an end enclosure, each of the data connectors configured to fit into an opposite type of data connectors of another integrated data and power connector, wherein the data connectors are configured to carry data to the circuit for controlling the plurality of LEDs;

power connectors surrounded by the end enclosure, each of the power connectors configured to fit into an opposite type of power connectors of the another integrated data and power connector, wherein the power connectors are configured to carry power to the plurality of LEDs; and

a sealing cover configured to prevent moisture from reaching inside the integrated data and power connector.

12. The modular display panel of claim 1, further comprising a receiver card configured to receive external data and provide the external data to the circuit for controlling the plurality of LEDs, the receiver card comprising a unique network address.

13. A modular display panel comprising:

a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, wherein the first side of the modular display panel comprises a display surface of the modular display panel;

a plastic casing comprising an outer surface of the modular display panel, the outer surface being part of the second side of the modular display panel;

a recess disposed in the plastic casing;

a printed circuit board disposed in the recess, the printed circuit board comprising a front side and an opposite back side, wherein the recess surrounds the opposite back side of the printed circuit board;

a plurality of LEDs arranged as pixels attached to the front side of the printed circuit board, wherein the pixels are arranged in a rectangular array comprising at least fifty pixels;

a sealing compound disposed over the front side of the printed circuit board;

a circuit for controlling the plurality of LEDs;

a power supply for powering the plurality of LEDs;

wherein the front side of the printed circuit board is sealed to be waterproof by the sealing compound and the plastic casing is sealed to be waterproof so that the modular display panel is sealed to be waterproof; and

wherein the modular display panel is configured to be exposed to an external environment without a protective waterproof enclosure.

14. The modular display panel of claim 13, further comprising:

a network of support structures extending into the recess from the plastic casing towards the printed circuit board, wherein the printed circuit board is attached to the plastic casing by the network of support structures.

15. The modular display panel of claim 13, wherein the modular display panel is configured to be operational when submerged in water up to a depth of one meter.

16. The modular display panel of claim 15, wherein the modular display panel is further configured to be operational when submerged in water to a depth greater than one meter.

17. The modular display panel of claim 13, wherein the power supply is mounted over the outer surface of the plastic casing.

18. The modular display panel of claim 13, wherein the power supply comprises an alternating current/direct current (AC/DC) converter, and wherein the power supply is configured to receive AC power and output DC power to the plurality of LEDs.

19. The modular display panel of claim 13, wherein the power supply comprises a down converter that down converts a direct current (DC) voltage at a first level to a DC voltage at a second level, the second level being lower than the first level.

20. The modular display panel of claim 13, wherein a surface of each of the plurality of LEDs is exposed to the external environment.

21. The modular display panel of claim 13, further comprising an integrated data and power connector comprising:

data connectors surrounded by an end enclosure, each of the data connectors configured to fit into an opposite type of data connectors of another integrated data and power connector, wherein the data connectors are configured to carry data to the circuit for controlling the plurality of LEDs;

power connectors surrounded by the end enclosure, each of the power connectors configured to fit into an opposite type of power connectors of the another integrated data and power connector, wherein the power connectors are configured to carry power to the plurality of LEDs; and

a sealing cover configured to prevent moisture from reaching inside the integrated data and power connector.

22. A modular display panel comprising:

a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, wherein the first side of the modular display panel comprises a display surface of the modular display panel;

attachment points for use in attachment as part of a multi-panel modular display;

a plastic casing comprising an outer surface of the modular display panel, the outer surface being part of the second side of the modular display panel;

a recess disposed in the plastic casing;

a printed circuit board disposed in the recess, the printed circuit board comprising a front side and an opposite back side, wherein the recess surrounds the opposite back side of the printed circuit board;

a plurality of LEDs arranged as pixels attached to the front side of the printed circuit board, wherein the pixels are arranged in a rectangular array comprising at least fifty pixels;

a sealing compound disposed over the front side of the printed circuit board;

a framework of louvers disposed over the front side of the printed circuit board between rows of the plurality of LEDs,

a circuit for controlling the plurality of LEDs, the circuit being attached to the opposite back side of the printed circuit board;

a power supply for powering the plurality of LEDs, the power supply mounted over the outer surface of the modular display panel, wherein the power supply comprises an alternating current/direct current (AC/DC) converter, and wherein the power supply is configured to receive AC power and output DC power to the plurality of LEDs;

wherein the front side of the printed circuit board is sealed to be waterproof by the sealing compound and the plastic casing is sealed to be waterproof so that the modular display panel is sealed to be waterproof;

wherein the modular display panel is configured to be exposed to an external environment without a protective waterproof enclosure; and

wherein the modular display panel is configured to be cooled passively without fans.

23. The modular display panel of claim 22, further comprising:

a network of support structures extending into the recess from the plastic casing towards the printed circuit board, wherein the printed circuit board is attached to the plastic casing by the network of support structures.

24. The modular display panel of claim 22, wherein the modular display panel is configured to be operational when submerged in water up to a depth of one meter.

25. The modular display panel of claim 24, wherein the modular display panel is further configured to be operational when submerged in water to a depth greater than one meter.

26. The modular display panel of claim 24, wherein the power supply comprises an alternating current/direct current (AC/DC) converter, and wherein the power supply is configured to receive AC power and output DC power to the plurality of LEDs.

27. The modular display panel of claim 24, wherein the power supply comprises a down converter that down converts a direct current (DC) voltage at a first level to a DC voltage at a second level, the second level being lower than the first level.

28. The modular display panel of claim 22, wherein a surface of each of the plurality of LEDs is exposed to the external environment.

29. The modular display panel of claim 22, further comprising an integrated data and power connector comprising:

data connectors surrounded by an end enclosure, each of the data connectors configured to fit into an opposite type of data connectors of another integrated data and power connector, wherein the data connectors are configured to carry data to the circuit for controlling the plurality of LEDs;

power connectors surrounded by the end enclosure, each of the power connectors configured to fit into an opposite type of power connectors of the another integrated data and power connector, wherein the power connectors are configured to carry power to the plurality of LEDs; and

a sealing cover configured to prevent moisture from reaching inside the integrated data and power connector.

30. The modular display panel of claim 22, further comprising a receiver card configured to receive external data and provide the external data to the circuit for controlling the plurality of LEDs, the receiver card comprising a unique network address.