Display pixel module for use in a configurable large-screen display application and display with such pixel modules

{
  "publication_number": "US7071620B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Display pixel module for use in a configurable large-screen display application and display with such pixel modules",
  "abstract": "A display pixel module for use in a configurable large-screen display application, with an array of pixels (122) mounted at the front (200) of the module (120) and provided with input and output connectors (206-207), characterized in that at least some of the side walls (202) and of the upper and lower walls (203-204) are tapered inwardly, enclosing an angle (A) with the front (200) and in that it is provided with mounting means to fix the module on a mounting surface of a display.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A display pixel module for use in a configurable large-screen display application, said module having front, side, upper and lower and rear walls, and comprising an array of pixels mounted at the front wall of the module and provided with input and output connectors, wherein at least some of the side walls and of the upper and lower walls are tapered inwardly, enclosing an angle with the front wall, such that at least two opposite sidewalls or upper and lower walls extend in non-parallel directions, and including a mounting device to enable fixing the module on a mounting surface of a display.",
    "2. The display pixel module according to claim 1, wherein the side walls, the upper wall and the lower wall are all tapered inwardly.",
    "3. The display pixel module according to claim 1, wherein said mounting device comprises at least two clips protruding from the rear of the pixel module.",
    "4. The display pixel module according to claim 3, wherein each clip includes a clip notch that further includes a clip stop and a clip notch taper.",
    "5. The display pixel module according to claim 4, wherein the clip notch taper forms an angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of clip.",
    "6. The display pixel module according to claim 1, wherein the housing of the module is provided with notches enabling access to the clips from the front wall of the pixel module.",
    "7. The display pixel module according to claim 1, wherein the pixels are formed by light-emitting diodes.",
    "8. The display pixel module according to claim 1, including a housing which is formed of an enclosure which is covered at the front by means of a shader.",
    "9. The display pixel module according to claim 8, wherein the enclosure is provided with a plurality of assembly snaps which cooperate with a plurality of corresponding holes of the shader.",
    "10. The display pixel module according to claim 6 wherein said notches which enable access to the clips are provided in the shader.",
    "11. The display pixel module according to claim 8, wherein the shader has a texture to improve the contrast of the display.",
    "12. The display pixel module according to claim 8, wherein the enclosure accommodates a pixel printed circuit board on which said array of pixels is mounted.",
    "13. The display pixel module according to claim 8, wherein the enclosure accommodates a driver printed circuit board which is equipped with an input connector and an output connector, both connectors protruding through apertures in the rear wall of the enclosure.",
    "14. The display pixel module according to claim 12, wherein the driver printed circuit board is equipped with a board-to-board connector that can cooperate with a corresponding connector on the pixel printed circuit board.",
    "15. The display pixel module according to claim 12, wherein the pixel printed circuit board and the driver printed circuit board are interconnected by means of a flexfoil.",
    "16. The display pixel module according to claim 13, wherein driver printed circuit board is provided with a metallic mount to make contact with a screw that can be grounded.",
    "17. A display, comprising a plurality of pixel modules according to claim 1, which are arranged on a mounting surface to form a 2D or 3D display."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present invention relates to a pixel module for use in a configurable modular large-scale display. In particular, this invention relates to a scalable display element consisting of a pixel module, preferably a light-emitting diode (LED) pixel module.\n\nConventional incandescent lamps, fluorescent lamps, and neon tubes have long been used to illuminate many large-scale commercial and public signs. The market is now, however, demanding larger displays with the flexibility to customize display sizes and colors which are not possible with these older technologies. As a result, many displays now utilize LEDs in their design because LEDs consume less electrical energy than conventional light sources and possess a much longer lifetime with lower maintenance costs. LED technology is currently being applied to large-scale display applications, such as outdoor or indoor stadium displays, large marketing advertisement displays, and mass-public informational displays. Many of these large-scale applications are dynamically reconfigurable under computer control. In addition, some large-scale animated displays that are capable of displaying video imaging are now being produced. Other simpler types of illuminated signs also use LEDs, including outdoor signs in which LED arrays are used to illuminate a sign plate from its sides. Additionally, LEDs are used in many temporary sign applications, such as large banners at trade shows, that require bright, eye-catching, flexible systems that are easily portable.",
  "cpc": [
    "G09G 3/32",
    "F16B 5/0664",
    "G09F 9/3026",
    "G09F 9/33",
    "G09G 2300/026",
    "Y10S 345/903"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "G09F 9/00",
    "G09F 9/33",
    "G09G 3/32",
    "H01L 33/00"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "BARCO NV"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "DEVOS BRUNO",
    "VAN HILLE HERBERT",
    "DEDENE NELE",
    "WILLEM PATRICK",
    "THIELEMANS ROBBIE",
    "MEERSMAN KARIM"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2003-10-31",
  "publication_date": "2006-07-04",
  "grant_date": "2006-07-04",
  "priority_date": "2003-09-08",
  "application_number": "US-69709303-A",
  "family_id": "34130252",
  "citations": [
    "DE2110318A1",
    "DE3137709A1",
    "DE7717253U1",
    "EP0564311A1",
    "GB840329A",
    "US2002024807A1",
    "US2005225222A1",
    "US4543759A",
    "US5410328A",
    "US5733154A",
    "US6065854A",
    "US6220732B1",
    "US6614103B1"
  ]
}