DEVICE FOR DISPLAYING IMAGES FOR STANDS OR STAIRWAYS

Abstract

A device for displaying images for stands or stairways in a public venue includes a controller and a set of electronic screens connected to one another. Mounting devices secure the electronic screens to the risers of an existing stairway or stand. The controller controls displaying an advertising motif distributed between all the electronic screens.

Claims

1. A device for displaying images for stands or stairways in a public venue comprising a controller, a set of electronic screens connected to one another and means for securing said electronic screens to the risers of an existing stairway or stand, the controller having means for displaying an advertising motif distributed between all of said electronic screens.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the signal processing and data elements and power supply elements of at least one of said electronic screens to be arranged on the risers are placed in a box separate from a screen to be installed separately.

3. The device according to claim 2, which comprises a separate box for each screen.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the screens are positioned secured to the risers of the stand or stairway.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the device leaves the treads of the stand or stairway free.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the controller is positioned separate from the screen.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein each screen comprises a transparent element connected to the stand or stairway and a light-emitting electronic element which is positioned between the stand or stairway and the transparent element, the unit being sealed.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the transparent element is screwed to the stairway or stand.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the controller comprises instructions for displaying information on each screen on status of nearby seats and/or entry/exit instructions to/from said seats or other safety information.

10. The device according to claim 9, comprising a communications post for receiving an alarm signal which causes the device to change to showing evacuation signals on the screens.

11. The device according to claim 3, wherein said separate box is positioned beneath seats attached to the stand or stairway, or hidden behind the stairway.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the screens is less than 50 mm.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein an upper portion of the screen is flush with an adjacent tread, forming an extension of the adjacent tread.

14. The device according to claim 13, wherein an upper surface of the upper portion of the screen has a non-slip finish.

15. The device according to claim 2 each separate box has two power sources or voltage transformers arranged redundantly.

Description

[0036] For a better understanding, the accompanying drawings show an embodiment of the present invention as an explanatory but non-limiting example.

[0037] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 2 is a side view partly in cross section of a detail showing elements which make up the screen in the example of the first embodiment.

[0039] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example of deformation of the logo or image that is to be represented starting with any of the divisions of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2.

[0040] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a device according to the present invention, installed on the stand of a sports stadium.

[0041] FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic plan view of a portion of a device according to the present invention similar to that of the previous figure, in which the two separate elements making up said device can be seen.

[0042] FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic plan view from above of the two separate elements.

[0043] FIG. 7 is a view in side elevation of an example of a separate box.

[0044] FIG. 8 shows diagrammatically a set of portions relating to another example of a device according to the present invention.

[0045] FIG. 9 shows diagrammatically an example of connections of a device according to the present invention.

[0046] FIGS. 1 to 3 show a device -1100- according to the present invention positioned on a stand or stairway. The device comprises a series of electronic screens -1110- connected serially by multicables -1120- which comprise a power cable and a data cable. Other arrangements (arrangement in parallel, battery-powered screens, wireless data communication) are also possible.

[0047] Serial cabling saves cables and space.

[0048] The electronic screens are placed on the risers -2010- of the stairway, leaving the treads -2020- free. In the example shown, the electronic screens -1100- are positioned beneath an existing projecting ledge -2030- on the tread -2020- of each step.

[0049] Each electronic screen -1110- is made up of a transparent element -1140-, for example a methacrylate board, which is secured at a specific distance from the riser -2010-, for example using threaded studs -1150- drilled into the stairway. The space between the transparent element -1140- and the riser -2010- is occupied by an emitting element -1130-, for example an LED screen. The space that is left free may be occupied by a filler element, for example resin or silicone.

[0050] The electronic screen unit -1110- is sealed to protect the electronic elements from water.

[0051] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, each emitting element -1130- has its own electronics, independent of the rest of the emitting elements.

[0052] The transparent element -1140- may have UV protection and/or a light-diffusing finish. This is advantageous not only because it protects the life of the emitting element -1130-, but because it diffuses the specific light-emitting points (LEDs) improving perception of the logo emitted.

[0053] Although not shown in the figures, the transparent element may be embossed with an advertising motif. This motif can only be detected by audience members who are close to the screen, and not by those farther away, who can only see the advertising motif emitted by the electronic screens -1110-.

[0054] In the figures, the controller, for example a control computer which may for example be positioned remotely from the rest of the device, connected by cables or wirelessly, has not been shown. The controller can synchronise the various devices -1100- with one another, synchronise the motif emitted with the television broadcast, be updated via the internet, etc.

[0055] In FIG. 3 the device -1100- of FIGS. 1 and 2 has been shown applied to the stairways of a stand -1000- in a sports venue. The set of screens -1110- are emitting an advertising motif -900- (in this case a letter K), which may if required be anamorphically deformed to be seen from a particular viewpoint, such as a master transmission camera, for example, or other type of camera. It can be seen in the figure that the screens -1110- may also be used to show information relating to the stands and to the entry and exit flows, such as a row number, as well as safety information, for example arrows indicating the route to follow if the venue has to be evacuated.

[0056] FIGS. 4 to 9 show another embodiment of a device according to the present invention positioned on a stand or stairway -1001-. The device comprises a series of electronic screens -201- (in this case, an LED screen) which in this case are not connected to one another directly. Each screen has lugs 206 with openings for receiving studs for securing to a stairway.

[0057] The electronic screens are placed on the risers of the stairway, leaving the treads free (although it is possible to occupy said treads). In the case shown, the electronic screens -201- are positioned so that said screens are flush with the stair tread. A non-slip strip may be placed on said upper portion flush with the stair tread.

[0058] In another embodiment (not shown) the electronic screen may be positioned beneath a projecting ledge on the tread of each step.

[0059] None of the electronic screens in the example shown has signal processing and data elements and power supply network elements, which are located in separate boxes -202-, independent of the screens and which, in this case, are positioned beneath the adjacent seats -1002-. The screens in the example comprise boxes which comprise LEDs.

[0060] In the example shown, the screens and the separate boxes (also known as control boxes) are connected by a pair of cables -204-, -205-. In general, both the power supply and the signals corresponding to the commands to the light-emitting elements of the screens (for example, each individual LED) must be transmitted from the separate boxes to the screens. This may take place by means of separate cables, or by a single cable. In FIG. 8, a possible connection between separate boxes has also been shown diagrammatically without specifying the number of cables. The set of separate boxes may be connected in turn to a single central controller (not shown). The connections, in particular the control connections, may also be wireless.

[0061] The present invention discloses a solution in which the light-emitting elements (screen) are separated from the image processing and power elements (separate box) which allows better adaptation to the physical space that already exists in the stairway, making it easier to comply with design, construction and safety rules and regulations. It also facilitates adaptation to the physical space that already exists in the stand, stairway and possibly the seats. This is achieved with the minimum possible modification of the dimensions (width, height, depth) of the space in which the solution is to be implemented.

[0062] The existence of the separate box helps guarantee electronic stability in the image quality, even when the processing elements are remote from the signal (video, photographic or graphic) reproduction elements. Accordingly, the power signal and data are sent preferably through a single type of cable incorporating both signals.

[0063] The elements controlled from the separate box may comprise the following, for example: [0064] Brightness [0065] Contrast [0066] Image refresh rate [0067] Grey scale [0068] Clock rate

[0069] The electronic screen unit is sealed to protect the electronic elements from water and should preferably mechanically support the use thereof as a stairway. The physical requirements and sealing requirements of the separate box may be lower.

[0070] As the video processing and power supply unit and the unit where the image is reproduced work separately, it is possible to develop and apply IP and IK protection ratings for both elements which guarantees direct protection of the elements in question and indirect protection of persons or of the public against possible direct or indirect contact with the systems.

[0071] Thus, for example, the electronic box or separate box may have an IP65 protection rating (dust-tightness and protection against jets of water) and an IK07 protection rating (supporting the impact of a 0.5 kg object from 200 mm), whereas the display system or screen may have an IP68 protection rating (dust-tightness and proof against prolonged immersion) and an IK10 protection rating (capable of supporting the impact of a 5 kg object from 200 mm).

[0072] FIG. 9 shows a connection diagram between the central control element -300- (not shown in FIGS. 1 to 5) and the separate boxes -202-, -202′- or power boxes. In this case, the power supply and control signal use different cables. It can also be seen that the different separate boxes are serially connected. Parallel connection would also be possible. The connection of the separate boxes to the screens has not been shown in FIG. 9. Each of the screens shows a portion of the image -301- that is to be displayed. The division of the image may be carried out using known techniques. The conversion of the image portion that is to be displayed into specific commands to the light-emitting elements of each screen may be carried out in each corresponding separate box.

[0073] The invention allows images and animations to be reproduced, distributed over all the screens. Preferably, the control may cancel the reproduction of screen portions where the display corresponds to the visual space occupied by the treads of the stairway from a particular position.

[0074] Each separate box, or control box, may have inside two power sources (PSU) and two image reception cards arranged redundantly in order to hot swap if necessary. In addition, the connection between the electronics and the step may be end-to-end. The aim is that if a step ceases to function, the rest of the components continue to do so. The control boxes (separate boxes) are connected to one another and each one connected directly to the screen corresponding to a step.

[0075] As already explained, not all the screens that show elements forming the image to be represented need necessarily be arranged on risers. Said elements may also be positioned on treads, or on barriers for example situated in the middle of an ascending stairway, interfering with the surface required for the image. By placing a screen on said barrier or surface, said barrier is incorporated with the image -301- that is to be represented.

[0076] Despite all the steps having been shown in the example with the same height, the invention may be applied to steps of different heights. Accordingly, preferably the dimensions and number of pixels emitted from each screen may vary. In a particular case, it is even possible to use screens that are higher than the corresponding step. In this case, it is possible for example to bury a portion of the screen in the adjacent tread and using the control to eliminate the pixels that are buried or hidden, so that said pixels do not emit light. However, it is preferable for the height of each screen element to be equal to or less than that of the corresponding riser.

[0077] The invention is compatible with virtual advertising techniques, which allow the post-production insertion of advertising. Accordingly, the screens may incorporate the necessary technology to facilitate virtualisation using current advertising systems (such as incorporating infrared LEDs, for example) to mark the area where the virtual advertising should be incorporated when broadcast goes out.

[0078] The different characteristics of the embodiments shown may be combined with one another.

[0079] Although the invention has been presented and described with reference to embodiments thereof, it will be understood that said embodiments do not limit the invention and many structural or other details which may become clear to persons skilled in the art after interpreting the subject matter which is disclosed in the present description, claims and drawings, may vary. Thus, all variants and equivalents will be included within the scope of the present invention if said variants and equivalents can be considered to fall within the widest compass of the following claims.