Configurable display apparatus and methods

Abstract

Display module mounting apparatus and methods provide mounting features enabling ease of installation and service. The apparatus may have one or more releasable frame couplers and pivoting releasable frame couplers coupled to a display module having a display plane defined in relation to a substrate. One or more adjustable linkages may adjustably define a standoff distance between the display plane and a support frame to which the module may be mounted by the mounting apparatus. Concave and convex adjustments to the display plane may be made. Operation of pivoting action to tilt the display plane enables installation, removal, and serviceability of large displays constructed with a tiled plurality of display modules.

Claims

1. A configurable display apparatus comprising: a) a plurality of light emitting display modules collectively defining a viewing plane, at least a portion of said viewing plane having a curvature; b) said plurality of light emitting display modules coupled to a support frame, said support frame supporting the weight of said plurality of light emitting display modules along a support direction; at least a portion of said curvature being in a direction orthogonal to said support direction; c) each of said plurality of light emitting display modules comprising: i) a plurality of light emitting elements coupled to a substrate, said plurality of light emitting elements arranged in a predetermined pattern collectively forming a display plane; ii) a plurality of frame couplers coupled to said substrate, each frame coupler providing an installed position defined when said frame coupler is coupled to said support frame; each of said frame couplers defining a standoff distance between said display plane and said support frame when in said installed position; iii) an adjustable linkage coupled between said substrate and said support frame, the adjustable linkage operative to provide an adjustable deflection of at least a portion of said display plane; d) said plurality of light emitting display modules further characterized in that the display planes of at least two adjacent display modules are disposed by the operation of their respective adjustable linkages such that no gaps or overlaps between their respective adjacent display planes are visible.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further characterized in that the plurality of frame couplers couple to said support frame by means of magnetic attraction.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further characterized in that the adjustable linkage is coupled to said substrate at two different locations, said adjustable linkage operative to provide an adjustable deflection of at least a portion of said display plane.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of adjustable linkages, each adjustable linkage coupled between said substrate and said support frame, each adjustable linkage operative to provide an adjustable deflection of at least a portion of said display plane.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 further characterized in that the adjustable linkage has a neutral position providing no deflection of the display plane.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further characterized in that the adjustable linkage is operable in compression to provide said adjustable deflection of at least a portion of said display plane.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 further characterized in that the adjustable linkage is operable in tension to provide said adjustable deflection of at least a portion of said display plane.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 further characterized in that the adjustable linkage is operable to provide an adjustable concave deflection of at least a portion of said display plane.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 further characterized in that the adjustable linkage is operable to provide an adjustable convex deflection of at least a portion of said display plane.

10. A configurable display apparatus comprising: a) a plurality of light emitting display modules collectively defining a viewing plane, at least a portion of said viewing plane having a curvature; b) said plurality of light emitting display modules coupled to a support frame, said support frame supporting the weight of said plurality of light emitting display modules along a support direction; at least a portion of said curvature being in a direction orthogonal to said support direction; c) each of said plurality of light emitting display modules comprising: i) a plurality of light emitting elements coupled to a substrate, said plurality of light emitting elements arranged in a predetermined pattern collectively forming a display plane; ii) a plurality of frame couplers coupled to said substrate, each frame coupler providing an installed position defined when said frame coupler is coupled to said support frame; each frame coupler providing a standoff distance between said display plane and said support frame when in said installed position; iii) at least one of said plurality of frame couplers being an adjustable frame coupler operative to provide a continuously adjustable standoff distance between said display plane and said support frame, iv) an adjustable linkage coupled to said substrate on the side of said substrate that is opposed to said plurality of light emitting elements, the adjustable linkage operative to provide an adjustable deflection of at least a portion of said display plane; d) said plurality of light emitting display modules further characterized in that the display planes of at least two adjacent display modules are disposed by the operation of their respective adjustable linkages and by the operation of their respective adjustable frame couplers such that no gaps or overlaps between their respective adjacent display planes are visible.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 further characterized in that the plurality of frame couplers couple to said support frame by means of magnetic attraction.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 further characterized in that the adjustable linkage is coupled to said substrate at two different locations, said adjustable linkage operative to provide an adjustable deflection of at least a portion of said display plane.

13. The apparatus of claim 10 further characterized in that the adjustable linkage is coupled to at least one of said plurality of frame couplers and is coupled to said substrate at another location, said adjustable linkage operative to provide an adjustable deflection of at least a portion of said display plane.

14. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a plurality of adjustable linkages, each adjustable linkage coupled between said substrate and said support frame, each adjustable linkage operative to provide an adjustable deflection of at least a portion of said display plane.

15. The apparatus of claim 10 further characterized in that the adjustable linkage has a neutral position providing no deflection of the display plane.

16. The apparatus of claim 10 further characterized in that the adjustable linkage is operable in compression to provide said adjustable deflection of at least a portion of said display plane.

17. The apparatus of claim 10 further characterized in that the adjustable linkage is operable in tension to provide said adjustable deflection of at least a portion of said display plane.

18. The apparatus of claim 10 further characterized in that the adjustable linkage is operable to provide an adjustable concave deflection of at least a portion of said display plane.

19. The apparatus of claim 10 further characterized in that the adjustable linkage is operable to provide an adjustable convex deflection of at least a portion of said display plane.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a display module according to the present disclosure.

(3) FIG. 2A shows a front view of a display module according to the present disclosure, showing a plurality of light emitting elements arranged in a predetermined pattern and forming a display plane.

(4) FIG. 2B shows a side view of the display module of FIG. 2A and associated mounting apparatus for mounting the display module on a support frame.

(5) FIG. 2C shows a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 2B in which the display plane has been deflected from flat into a concave shape.

(6) FIG. 2D shows a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 2B in which the display plane has been deflected from flat into a convex shape.

(7) FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B shows side views of a display module mounting apparatus according to the present disclosure in which FIG. 3A shows an installed position and FIG. 3B shows a service position.

(8) FIG. 4A shows a side view of a display module mounting apparatus according to the present disclosure in which two support ribs are coupled to the substrate of the display module.

(9) FIG. 4B shows a side view of a display module mounting apparatus according to the present disclosure in which a support rib having a first portion and a second portion is coupled to the substrate of the display module.

(10) FIG. 5A shows a side view of a display module mounting apparatus according to the present disclosure in which an adjustable releasable frame coupler is operative to provide an adjustable standoff distance between display plane and support frame.

(11) FIG. 5B shows a side view of a display module mounting apparatus according to the present disclosure in which an adjustable pivoting releasable frame coupler is operative to provide an adjustable standoff distance between display plane and support frame.

(12) FIG. 6A shows a side view of a system of display modules mounted to a support frame and collectively creating a viewing plane having no gaps and no overlaps between adjacent display modules. Each of the display modules is shown in the installed position.

(13) FIG. 6B shows a perspective view consistent with the system of display modules shown in FIG. 6A. One display module is shown in the service position.

(14) FIG. 7A shows a side view of a system of display modules mounted to a support frame, and in which the center display module is in the service position while the two adjacent display modules are in the installed position.

(15) FIG. 7B shows a perspective view of the system of display modules shown in FIG. 7A. The center display module has been operated into the service position to facilitate installation and service without disturbing the position or alignment of adjacent display modules.

(16) FIG. 8, shows an embodiment of a display module mounting apparatus featuring an adjustable linkage that is operative to provide an adjustable standoff distance between support frame and display plane.

(17) FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B illustrate the operation of embodiments of the present disclosure when the underlying support frame takes on an uneven or curved conformation.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS APPEARING IN THE FIGURES

(18) 2—display module mounting apparatus

(19) 3—installed position of display module mounting apparatus

(20) 5—service position of display module mounting apparatus

(21) 10—releasable frame coupler

(22) 11—standoff distance between display plane and support frame provided by 10

(23) 12—adjustable releasable frame coupler

(24) 13—adjustable standoff distance between display plane and support frame provided by 12

(25) 20—pivoting releasable frame coupler

(26) 21—standoff distance between display plane and support frame provided by 20

(27) 22—adjustable pivoting releasable frame coupler

(28) 23—adjustable standoff distance between display plane and support frame provided by 22

(29) 30—adjustable linkage

(30) 31—adjustable standoff distance between display plane and support frame provided by 30

(31) 40—support frame

(32) 41—support direction

(33) 42—support frame aperture

(34) 42a, 42b, etc.—first, second, etc. support frame aperture

(35) 50—support rib

(36) 50F—first portion of support rib 50

(37) 50S—second portion of support rib 50

(38) 50a, 50b—first support rib, second support rib

(39) 70—display module

(40) 70a, 70b, 70c etc.—first, second, third, etc. display module

(41) 71—light emitting element

(42) 71a, 71b, etc.—first, second, etc. light emitting element

(43) 72—plurality of light emitting elements

(44) 74—display plane

(45) 74D—display plane having a deflection

(46) 74V—display plane having a concave deflection

(47) 74X—display plane having a convex deflection

(48) 75I—display plane disposed at a first angle with respect to the viewing plane when in the installed position

(49) 75S—display plane disposed at a second angle with respect to the viewing plane when in the service position

(50) 76—display module substrate

(51) 80—viewing plane

DESCRIPTION

(52) Embodiments of the present disclosure provide display module mounting apparatus and methods. A large visual display may be constructed from a plurality of generally planar display modules tiled into a predetermined pattern leaving no gaps and creating no overlaps between display modules. Each display module may have a plurality of light emitting elements arranged onto a display plane in a predetermined pattern and thereby creating a highly uniform visual effect. The perimeter region of each display plane may be designed such that abutting and aligning the display planes of adjacent display modules allows continuation, without visual aberration, of the pattern of light emitting elements across the boundary between adjacent display modules. The plurality of display modules, suitably abutted and aligned, collectively create a viewing plane that is free from visible aberration.

(53) A pitch distance may be defined between adjacent light emitting elements within a single display module. The predefined pattern of light emitting elements may be designed to provide a highly uniform pitch distance across an individual display module. The perimeter region of each display plane may be designed so that the pitch distance across adjacent display modules is substantially the same as the pitch distance within a single display module. A highly uniform visual effect across an entire plurality of display modules may thereby be created.

(54) Turning now to FIG. 1, a perspective view is shown of an embodiment of a display module 70 comprising a plurality of light emitting elements coupled to a substrate 76, of which a first light emitting element 71a and a second light emitting element 71b are representative of the plurality, the plurality arranged in a predetermined pattern and forming a display plane 74. Consistent with the foregoing descriptions, FIG. 2A shows a frontal view of display plane 74 of display module 70, having a highly uniform pattern in the arrangement of the plurality of light emitting elements 72.

(55) Large tiled displays are often mounted on existing architectural features. These architectural features often present physical imperfections such undulations, unevenness, ripples, ridges, gaps, etc that can impact the alignment and position of any support frame that is mounted thereupon for the purpose of supporting a large tiled display. Unless special measures are taken to ameliorate the underlying imperfections of the architectural features, the final tiled assembly of display modules may show the imperfections caused by the uneven mounting environment. Embodiments of the present disclosure describe novel display module mounting apparatus and methods that may be used to ameliorate the unevenness in the underlying architectural features upon which the support frame and ultimately the large tiled display are mounted.

(56) A large visual display assembled from a plurality of display modules may have an underlying support frame structure onto which the plurality of display modules may be assembled. Abutment and alignment of the display planes of adjacent display modules is an important factor in the overall visual quality of the large visual display. In such display systems it is important to be able to: install display modules onto the support frame with the necessary alignment and abutment; service a display module that has previously been installed onto the support frame without disturbing adjacent display modules; and remove a display module that has previously been installed onto the support frame without removing or significantly disturbing adjacent display modules.

(57) Turning now to FIG. 2B, shown is a side view of the display module of FIG. 2A, now showing associated display module mounting apparatus 2 for mounting the display module on a support frame. Display module 70 is shown comprising first light emitting element 71a and second light emitting element 71b, which are two members of the plurality of light emitting elements coupled to substrate 76 and formed into display plane 74. The mounting apparatus is shown, in operational relation to a support frame 40, comprising: a releasable frame coupler 10 coupled to substrate 76 and providing a first standoff distance 11 between display plane 74 and support frame 40; a pivoting releasable frame coupler 20 coupled to substrate 76 and providing a second standoff distance 21 between display plane 74 and support frame 40; an adjustable linkage 30 coupled between pivoting releasable frame coupler 20 and the display plane, adjustable linkage 30 being operative to provide an adjustable deflection of at least a portion of display plane 74.

(58) The display plane 74 of FIG. 2B is shown in a neutral position in which the display plane is substantially flat. When the display plane is substantially flat it can be seen that a standoff distance of the overhanging portion of the display plane may be defined which is associated with the flatness of the display plane. Pivoting releasable frame coupler 20 is operable to provide a tilting action to the display plane that may be operated by applying a force to the display plane in proximity to the overhanging portion of the display plane. The display plane is shown in FIG. 3B, FIG. 7A, and FIG. 7B, in a attitude which is angled with respect to the viewing plane, the viewing plane having been established by the collective installation of a plurality of display modules. Ease of installation, removal, and service of a display module is enhanced by being able to tilt the display plane of a module without substantially impacting the alignment and position of adjacent display modules installed according to the viewing plane.

(59) Continuing with FIG. 2C, shown is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 2B, in which adjustable linkage 30 has been operated to produce a display plane having a concave deflection 74V. Releasable frame coupler 10 continues to provide the first standoff distance between support frame 40 and the portion of display plane 74V closest to that coupler. At the same time, adjustable linkage 30 is operable to change the standoff distance of the overhanging portion of the display plane from the flat disposition shown in FIG. 2B to a different standoff distance. This adjustability allows the mounting apparatus to compensate for underlying unevenness to which the support frame may be mounted., thereby producing an improved visual effect.

(60) Continuing with FIG. 2D, shown is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 2B, in which adjustable linkage 30 has been operated to produce a display plane having a convex deflection 74X. Releasable frame coupler 10 continues to provide the first standoff distance between support frame 40 and the portion of display plane 74X closest to that coupler. At the same time, adjustable linkage 30 is operable to change the standoff distance of the overhanging portion of the display plane from the flat disposition shown in FIG. 2B to a different standoff distance. This adjustability allows the mounting apparatus to compensate for underlying unevenness to which the support frame may be mounted., thereby producing an improved visual effect.

(61) The apparatus of FIGS. 2B, 2C, and 2D show adjustable linkage 30 in a neutral, compression, and tension condition respectively. In preferred embodiments, adjustable linkage may operate by means of threaded and thread receiving members, the linkage lengthening and shortening in response to rotating one of the threaded or thread receiving members. Other embodiments are possible still within the scope of the disclosure.

(62) In order to flex in response to the operation of linkage 30, substrate 76 is not strictly rigid but rather requires sufficient flexibility to physically comply with the mechanical urging of the adjustable linkage. It can also be seen that the position of the pivoting releasable frame coupler 20, length of adjustable linkage 30, the mechanical advantage of adjustable linkage 30, and the location and way in which adjustable linkage 30 is coupled to display plane 74, all may be varied within the scope of this disclosure to provide variations in deflection of display plane 74.

(63) Turning now to FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, shown are side views of a display module mounting apparatus according to the present disclosure. FIG. 3A shows an installed position 3 in which the display plane 75I is disposed at a first angle which is substantially parallel to the local viewing plane of the large tiled display. FIG. 3B shows the same apparatus in a service position 5 in which the display plane 75S is disposed at a second angle with respect to the local viewing plane. Starting in the installed position 3, service position 5 may be arrived at by pressing on the overhanging portion of display plane 75I with sufficient force to cause releasable frame coupler 10 to release from support frame 40 and thereafter pivot by means of pivoting releasable frame coupler 20. In preferred embodiments, service position 5 provides, by tilting the display plane, enough space for a person to grasp display module 70 and thereafter cause the release of pivoting releasable frame coupler 20. In preferred embodiments, the releasable couplers operate by means of magnetic attraction, other embodiments being within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

(64) Now with reference to FIG. 4A, shown is a side view of a display module mounting apparatus according to the present disclosure comprising: a first support rib 50a and a second support rib 50b both coupled to substrate 76 of display module 70; releasable frame coupler 10 coupled to first support rib 50a and providing first standoff distance 11 between display plane 74 and support frame 40; pivoting releasable frame coupler 20 coupled to first support rib 50a and providing second standoff distance 21 between display plane 74 and support frame 40; and an adjustable linkage 30 coupled between first support rib 50a and second support rib 50b, in which adjustable linkage 30 is operative to provide an adjustable deflection of at least a portion of display plane 74.

(65) Continuing with FIG. 4B, shown is a side view of a display module mounting apparatus according to the present disclosure comprising: a support rib coupled to substrate 76 and having a first portion 50F and a second portion 50S; releasable frame coupler 10 coupled to first portion 50F of the support rib and providing first standoff distance 11 between display plane 74 and support frame 40; pivoting releasable frame coupler 20 coupled to first portion 50F of the support rib and providing second standoff distance 21 between display plane 74 and support frame 40; and an adjustable linkage 30 coupled between first portion 50F and second portion 50S, in which adjustable linkage 30 is operative to provide an adjustable deflection of at least a portion of display plane 74.

(66) According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, shown in FIG. 5A, the releasable frame coupler may be an adjustable releasable frame coupler 12 that is operative to provide an adjustable standoff distance 13 between display plane 74 and support frame 40. In preferred embodiments, the adjustability may be provided by means of threaded and thread receiving members, in which adjustable releasable frame coupler 12 may lengthen and shorten in response to rotating one of the threaded or thread receiving members with respect to the other. Other embodiments are possible within the scope and spirit of the disclosure.

(67) According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, shown in FIG. 5B, the pivoting releasable frame coupler may be an adjustable pivoting releasable frame coupler 22 that is operative to provide an adjustable standoff distance 23 between display plane 74 and support frame 40. In preferred embodiments, the adjustability may be provided by means of threaded and thread receiving members, in which adjustable pivoting releasable frame coupler 22 may lengthen and shorten in response to rotating one of the threaded or thread receiving members with respect to the other. Other embodiments are possible within the scope and spirit of the disclosure.

(68) FIG. 6A shows a side view of a system of display modules mounted to a support frame and collectively creating a viewing plane 80 having no gap and no overlaps between adjacent display modules. Each of the display modules is shown in the installed position. First, second, and third display modules 70a, 70b, and 70c, respectively, are each coupled to support frame 40 by means of display module mounting apparatus, each of which is in its installed position 3. FIG. 6A shows that, in the installed position, each of the display modules has a display plane 75I disposed at a first angle with respect to viewing plane 80. FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 6A, in which the features providing a controlled standoff distance between support frame 40 and the plurality of display planes are visible. First, second, and third display modules 70a, 70b, and 70c, respectively, are each provided with one or more releasable frame couplers 10 and one or more pivoting releasable frame couplers 20 for establishing standoff distances between the plurality of display planes 75I and support frame 40. Support frame 40 is shown with a plurality of apertures 42, which may be useful for routing power and control signals as well as for granting access to a portion of the back side of one or more display modules. It can be seen from the figure that one or more releasable frame couplers and one or more pivoting releasable frame couplers may be used to support each display module. Couplers operating by means of magnetic attraction are preferred.

(69) FIG. 7A shows the system of FIG. 6A in which first display module 70a has been moved into service position 5. In preferred embodiments, a display module previously installed on support frame 40 may be moved into a service position 5 by causing releasable frame coupler 10 to release from support frame 40, thereafter operating the pivoting releasable frame coupler 20 to tilt the display plane up to an angle that permits grasping the thickness of the display plane and substrate. Once grasped, the module can be further manipulated into releasing the pivoting releasable frame coupler thereby effecting the removal of the display module from the support frame.

(70) The support frame 40 of FIG. 6B, FIG. 7B, FIG. 9A, FIG. 9B is operative to support the weight of the plurality of installed display modules along support direction 41, while being compliant enough in directions orthogonal, or partially orthogonal, to support direction 41 so as to comply with the variations, unevenness, etc of the structure to which support frame 40 is itself mounted. Support frame materials including plastic and metal may be employed in preferred embodiments. Support frame 40 may thereby be structurally robust and yet curve gracefully in response to variations of the underlying mounting structure.

(71) FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 7A. It can be seen that in the service position, first display module 70a has a display plane 75S disposed at a second angle with respect to viewing plane 80. The viewing plane is created collectively by a plurality of display modules that are in installed positions. In the figure the service position provides a position in which the thickness of the display plane and substrate are graspable for further manipulation of the display module. The process of removing a display module may be reversed to arrive at an installation process and clearly both removal and installation are within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. In addition, removal and installation of a display module can be completed entirely from the front side of the display, without substantially disturbing the alignment or position of the adjacent display modules. Also, with a support frame having a plurality of apertures 42 of sufficient size to pass a display module through the support frame aperture, installation and removal may be completed entirely from the back side of the display.

(72) Turning now to FIG. 8, shown is another embodiment of a display module mounting apparatus featuring an adjustable linkage 30 that is operative to provide an adjustable standoff distance 31 between support frame 40 and display plane 74D. Adjustable linkage 30 is oriented with respect to display plane 74D so that access to operate the adjustable linkage is beneficially located near the edge of the display plane 74D. A person seeking to adjust the adjustable linkage can do so with relative ease due to the convenient location near the edge of the display module. Adjustable linkage 30 is operative to increase and/or decrease adjustable standoff distance 31. Display plane 74D may be deflected by the operation of the adjustable linkage and thereby take a convex, concave, or flat shape.

(73) FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B together further illustrate clear benefits of embodiments of the present disclosure when the underlying support frame 40 takes on an uneven or curved conformation. FIG. 9A shows first display module 70a and second display module 70b adjacent to each other and both mounted to support frame 40 which is is curved to illustrate a real world difficulty encountered in installations of large tiled displays. The display modules of FIG. 9A are shown with their individual display planes 74 flat thus making a visible discontinuity in the viewing plane where the two display planes meet. The apparatus of FIG. 9A may be configured by operation of the adjustable linkages on both first display module 70a and second display module 70b to eliminate the visible discontinuity between display planes shown in FIG. 9A.

(74) It can be seen in FIG. 9B that the adjustable linkages enable the adjustment of the shapes and standoff distances of the display planes so that they collectively present a smoothly curving viewing plane despite the unevenness, curvature, and irregularities of the underlying support frame 40. FIG. 9B shows the result of using the adjustable linkage 30 of first display module 70a to adjust the standoff distance of the overhanging portion of the display plane, thereby creating a smooth transition between the convex display plane 74X of first display module 70a and the convex display plane 74X of second display module 70b. It can be further seen that adjustable linkage 30 of second display module 70b can be operated to accommodate the curvature of the support frame 40. The second display module 70b of FIG. 9B can be seen to be ready for the installation of yet another display module, not shown. Together, FIGS. 9A and 9B show the steps involved in installing a large display created by tiling with display modules according to the present disclosure. Each display module may be coupled with display module mounting apparatus and installed onto a support frame, one adjacent display module after the next, each new display plane adjusted by means of the adjustable linkage in preparation for matching the standoff distance of the display plane of the next display module.

(75) Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. It may be desirable to combine features shown in various embodiments into a single embodiment. A different number and configuration of features may be used to construct embodiments of the apparatus and systems that are entirely within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Therefor, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.

(76) Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. Section 112, Paragraph 6. In particular, the use of “step of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. Section 112, Paragraph 6.