IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
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출원번호 |
UP-0948428
(2004-09-23)
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등록번호 |
US-7688280
(2010-04-23)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
- Callegari, Mark R.
- Gassman, Michael J.
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출원인 / 주소 |
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대리인 / 주소 |
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인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
38 인용 특허 :
6 |
초록
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An expanded bit map display (“EBMD”) (10) for displaying an image (14) and a method of creating such for mounting the EBMD (10) to a building surface (12) is provided. The EBMD (10) is a large-scale colored light display comprising a plurality of intelligent light fixtures (16) having
An expanded bit map display (“EBMD”) (10) for displaying an image (14) and a method of creating such for mounting the EBMD (10) to a building surface (12) is provided. The EBMD (10) is a large-scale colored light display comprising a plurality of intelligent light fixtures (16) having a microprocessor and a memory and mounted to the building surface (12). Each light fixture (16) is separately addressable and operable to store lighting characteristics or information. Groups of light fixtures (16) are in communication with a central processor operable to communicate control protocol.
대표청구항
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Having thus described the preferred embodiment of the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent includes the following: 1. An expanded bit map display (“EBMD”) for mounting on a building surface having a plurality of irregularities associated ther
Having thus described the preferred embodiment of the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent includes the following: 1. An expanded bit map display (“EBMD”) for mounting on a building surface having a plurality of irregularities associated therewith, the EBMD operable to display a plurality of images on the building surface for viewing from a distance, the EBMD comprising: a plurality of light fixtures mounted to the building surface without use of a substrate common to all of the light fixtures or a plurality of interconnected modular substrates, wherein the plurality of light fixtures is mounted to the building surface in an irregular pattern to account for the irregularities on the building surface so that, for at least a portion of the plurality of light fixtures, a horizontal distance and a vertical distance between a first light fixture and any adjacent light fixture are approximately unequal, such that the portion of the plurality of light fixtures is mounted to the surface in a non-uniformly spaced configuration, wherein the plurality of light fixtures presents a density ratio of light fixtures per unit area of the building surface, wherein a first portion of the plurality of light fixtures has a different angular orientation than a second portion of the plurality of light fixtures so that light emitted from the first portion of the plurality of light fixtures is angled in a different direction that light emitted from the second portion of the plurality of light fixtures, and wherein when viewed from the distance, a selected one of the plurality of images displayed by the EBMD is generally uniform; a protocol hub operable to communicate control protocol to each light fixture; and a central processor in communication with the protocol hub and operable to communicate control protocol to each light fixture via the protocol hub, such that when the plurality of light fixtures are mounted to the building surface and controlled via the central processor, the light fixtures are operable to produce the selected image. 2. The EBMD as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an intelligent controller operable to convert the control protocol communicated from the central processor so as to be understandable by the light fixture. 3. The EBMD as claimed in claim 2, wherein the intelligent controller and the protocol hub are a single unit. 4. The EBMD as claimed in claim 1, wherein the building surface has the plurality of irregularities interspersed therethrough. 5. The EBMD as claimed in claim 4, wherein the irregularities are selected from the group consisting of: windows, vents, lettering, and pipes. 6. The EBMD as claimed in claim 3, wherein each light fixture includes at least one light emitting diode. 7. The EBMD as claimed in claim 3, wherein the lighting characteristics include a color and an animation characteristic. 8. The EBMD as claimed in claim 1, wherein each light fixture is mounted to the surface without permanent destruction of the surface. 9. A method of displaying a plurality of images on a surface having a plurality irregularities associated therewith, the method comprising the steps of: mounting a plurality of light fixtures to the surface without use of a substrate common to all of the light fixtures or a plurality of interconnected modular substrates, wherein at least a portion of the light fixtures is mounted to the surface in a generally uneven configurations, wherein a horizontal distance and vertical distance between a first light fixture and any adjacent light fixture are approximately unequal; wherein the plurality of light fixtures presents a density ratio of light fixtures per unit area of the surface, positioning at least some of the light fixtures at a different angular orientation than other of the light fixtures, such that light emitted from said some of the light fixtures has a different angular orientation than light emitted from said other of the light fixtures; assigning lighting characteristics to each light fixture so as to display the plurality of images; and coupling each light fixture to a central processor operable to communicate control protocol to the light fixture. 10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the irregularities are selected from the group consisting of windows, vents, lettering, and pipes. 11. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein each light fixture includes at least one light emitting diode. 12. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein a determination of where light fixtures can he mounted on the surface is dependent on a size and location of the irregularities. 13. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein a determination of where light fixtures can be mounted on the surface is dependent on whether the light fixtures can be mounted to the irregularities. 14. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein a determination of the optimal location of the light fixtures is dependent on whether the surface includes any existing structure that facilitates mounting of the light fixtures to the surface. 15. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the plurality of light fixtures is mounted directly to the surface. 16. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the plurality of light fixtures is mounted to the surface via a mounting assembly. 17. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the lighting characteristics assigned to each light fixture include a color and an animation characteristic. 18. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein a determination of the angular orientation of each light fixture is dependent on at least one preferred vantage point from which to view the display. 19. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein at least one of the plurality of images is video driven. 20. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the plurality of light fixtures are divided into a plurality of groups. 21. The method as claimed in claim 20, wherein each light fixture of the group is further operable to communicate with an intelligent controller that is operable to interpret the control protocol communicated from the central processor. 22. The method as claimed in claim 20, wherein the light fixtures of each group are connected in a star configuration to a protocol hub operable to direct the control protocol. 23. An expanded bit map display (“EBMD”) for mounting on a building surface having a plurality of irregularities associated therewith, the EBMD operable to display a plurality of images on the building surface for viewing from a distance, the EBMD comprising: a plurality of light fixtures mounted to the building surface without use of a substrate common to all of the light fixtures or a plurality of interconnected modular substrates, wherein the plurality of light fixtures is mounted to the building in an irregular configuration to accommodate the irregularities on the building surface so that, for at least a portion of the plurality of light fixtures, a horizontal distance and a vertical distance between a first light fixture and any adjacent light fixture are approximately unequal, such that the portion of the plurality of light fixtures is mounted to the surface in a non-uniformly spaced configuration, wherein the plurality of light fixtures presents a density ratio of light fixtures per unit area of the building surface, and wherein a first portion of the plurality of light fixtures has a different angular orientation than a second portion of the plurality of light fixtures, such that light emitted from the first portion of the plurality of light fixtures is angled in a different direction that light emitted from the second portion of the plurality of light fixtures. 24. The EBMD as claimed in claim 23, wherein when the EBMD is viewed from a distance, the a selected one of the plurality of images produced by the EBMD is generally uniform. 25. The EBMD as claimed in claim 23, wherein each light fixture comprises a red, a blue, and a green LED that collectively form a pixel, the EBMD is comprised of the plurality of pixels, and the pixels collectively produce generally uniform images. 26. The EBMD as claimed in claim 23, wherein for at least some approximately equal sized areas of the building surface having light fixtures mounted thereto, the density ratio of light fixtures within the areas is approximately equal. 27. An expanded bit map display (“EBMD”) for mounting on a building surface having a plurality of irregularities associated therewith, the EBMD operable to display a plurality of images on the building surface for viewing from a distance, wherein the viewed images are generally uniform and visually blended, the EBMD comprising: a plurality of light fixtures mounted to the building surface without use of a substrate common to all of the light fixtures or a plurality of interconnected modular substrates, wherein the plurality of light fixtures presents a density ratio of light fixtures per unit area of the building surface, wherein each light fixture represents an RBG pixel, wherein the pixels are arranged in an irregular array to accommodate the irregularities on the building surface so that, for at least a portion of the pixels, a horizontal distance and a vertical distance between a first pixel and any adjacent pixel are approximately unequal, such that the portion of the pixels is in a non-uniformly spaced configuration, wherein a distance separating at least some adjacent pixels is at least approximately five times greater than a width of the pixel; and a central processor operable to communicate control protocol to each light fixture for production of the image. 28. The EBMD as claimed in claim 27, wherein a first portion of the plurality of light fixtures has a different angular orientation than a second portion of the plurality of light fixtures, such that light emitted from the first portion of the plurality of light fixtures is angled in a different direction that light emitted from the second portion of the plurality of light fixtures. 29. The EBMD as claimed in claim 27, wherein the distance separating at least some adjacent pixels is at least approximately ten times greater than the width of the pixel. 30. The EBMD as claimed in claim 27, wherein for any approximately equal sized areas of the building surface having light fixtures mounted thereto, a density of the mounted light fixtures within the areas is approximately equal. 31. The EBMD as claimed in claim 27, wherein the distance from which the images are viewed is greater than approximately 100 ft. 32. The EBMD as claimed in claim 31, wherein an area of the EBMD is at least approximately 600 ft2. 33. The EBMD as claimed in claim 32, wherein the density ratio of light fixtures per unit area of the building surface is less than four light fixtures per ft2.
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