Seamless curved display system and methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10999942-B2
Application number	US-202016806240-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 2, 2020
Priority date	Nov 4, 2015
Publication date	May 4, 2021
Grant date	May 4, 2021

Abstract

Display modules have a plurality of light emitting elements arranged in a predetermined pattern and providing a highly uniform visual effect. Methods are provided to support a plurality of flexible display modules in an adjustable curved arrangement. Alignment and complementary alignment features enable the alignment of adjacent display modules and the creation of large displays from a plurality of aligned display modules. Features to couple to and retain a support frame are provided. Flexible and durable weather resistance features are provided. A system of modular support frames works cooperatively with the display modules, adapting to different mounting environments, and thereby providing large modular displays with desirable properties.

First claim

We claim:

1. A seamless curved display system comprising:
a) a plurality of display modules coupled to a support structure, said support structure encircling a central volume, the plurality of display modules collectively forming a viewing plane, each display module comprising:
i) a plurality of light emitting elements coupled to a flexible substrate, the plurality of light emitting elements disposed in a predetermined pattern creating a display plane;
ii) said predetermined pattern defining a pitch distance between adjacent light emitting elements, the pitch distance configured to be uniform across said display plane;
iii) each display plane forming a portion of said viewing plane;

b) at least a portion of said plurality of display modules having a convexly curved display plane;
c) a plurality of adjustable couplers coupled between said support structure and said plurality of display modules, each adjustable coupler operative to adjust a spacing between said viewing plane and said support structure;
d) the plurality of display modules further configured in that said viewing plane is a convex viewing plane encircling said central volume, the convex viewing plane visible from the outside of said central volume;
e) the plurality of adjustable couplers further configured so that the viewing plane is a seamless viewing plane having no visible gaps or overlaps between adjacent display modules.

2. The system of claim 1 further characterized in that:
a) each display module additionally comprises a retention means, the retention means having:
i) a retaining position characterized in that the display module is releasably coupled to said support structure; and,
ii) a non-retaining position characterized in that the display module is removeable from said support structure.

3. The system of claim 1 further characterized in that:
a) the support structure comprises a plurality of ferromagnetic portions;
b) each display module additionally comprises a magnetic retention means, the magnetic retention means having:
i) a retaining position characterized in that the display module is releasably coupled to said support structure about one of said ferromagnetic portions; and,
ii) a non-retaining position characterized in that the display module is removeable from said support structure.

4. The system of claim 1 further characterized in that:
a) the support structure comprises a plurality of apertures;
b) each display module additionally comprises a frame retention means, the frame retention means having:
i) a retaining position characterized in that the display module is releasably coupled to said support structure about one of said plurality of apertures; and,
ii) a non-retaining position characterized in that the display module is removeable from said support structure.

5. The system of claim 1 further characterized in that:
a) the support structure comprises a plurality of ferromagnetic portions;
b) each display module additionally comprises a magnetic frame retention means, the frame retention means having:
i) a retaining position characterized in that the display module is releasably coupled to said support structure about one of said ferromagnetic portions; and,
ii) a non-retaining position characterized in that the display module is removeable from said support structure.

6. A seamless curved display system comprising:
a) a plurality of display modules coupled to a support structure, said support structure encircling a central volume, the plurality of display modules collectively forming a viewing plane, each display module comprising:
i) a plurality of light emitting elements coupled to a flexible substrate, the plurality of light emitting elements disposed in a predetermined pattern creating a display plane;
ii) said predetermined pattern defining a pitch distance between adjacent light emitting elements, the pitch distance configured to be uniform across said display plane;
iii) each display plane forming a portion of said viewing plane;

b) at least a portion of said plurality of display modules having a concavely curved display plane;
c) a plurality of adjustable couplers coupled between said support structure and said plurality of display modules, each adjustable coupler operative to adjust a spacing between said viewing plane and said support structure;
d) the plurality of display modules further configured in that said viewing plane is a concave viewing plane encircling said central volume, the concave viewing plane visible from the inside of said central volume;
e) the plurality of adjustable couplers further configured so that the viewing plane is a seamless viewing plane having no visible gaps or overlaps between adjacent display modules.

7. The system of claim 6 further characterized in that:
a) each display module additionally comprises a retention means, the retention means having:
i) a retaining position characterized in that the display module is releasably coupled to said support structure; and,
ii) a non-retaining position characterized in that the display module is removeable from said support structure.

8. The system of claim 6 further characterized in that:
a) the support structure comprises a plurality of ferromagnetic portions;
b) each display module additionally comprises a magnetic retention means, the magnetic retention means having:
i) a retaining position characterized in that the display module is releasably coupled to said support structure about one of said ferromagnetic portions; and,
ii) a non-retaining position characterized in that the display module is removeable from said support structure.

9. The system of claim 6 further characterized in that:
a) the support structure comprises a plurality of apertures;
b) each display module additionally comprises a retention means, the retention means having:
i) a retaining position characterized in that the display module is releasably coupled to said support structure about one of said plurality of apertures; and,
ii) a non-retaining position characterized in that the display module is removeable from said support structure.

10. The system of claim 6 further characterized in that:
a) the support structure comprises a plurality of ferromagnetic portions;
b) each display module additionally comprises a magnetic frame retention means, the frame retention means having:
i) a retaining position characterized in that the display module is releasably coupled to said support structure about one of said ferromagnetic portions; and,
ii) a non-retaining position characterized in that the display module is removeable from said support structure.

Assignees

• Nanolumens Acquisition Inc
• Nanolumens Acquistion Inc

Inventors

• Drabant Stephen J
• Fleming Jr Michael C

Classifications

• G09F15/0037 Primary

  supported by a post · CPC title

• H05K5/30 Primary

  Side-by-side or stacked arrangements · CPC title

• G09F13/0481

  Signs, boards or panels having a curved shape · CPC title

• G09F9/3026

  Video wall, i.e. stackable semiconductor matrix display modules (video wall control systems G06F3/1446, G09G2300/026) · CPC title

• F21V19/00

  Fastening of light sources or lamp holders (fastening electric light source solely by the coupling device H01R33/00 {; special means for attaching candle to candle holder F21V35/003}) · CPC title