WO2008146257A1

WO2008146257A1 - A display device

Info

Publication number: WO2008146257A1
Application number: PCT/IB2008/052119
Authority: WO
Inventors: Cilliers Du Preez
Original assignee: Cilliers Du Preez
Priority date: 2007-05-31
Filing date: 2008-05-30
Publication date: 2008-12-04

Abstract

The invention relates to a display device, to a method of displaying an image, and to a machine-readable medium. The display device (10) includes a support member (12) which defines a swivel axis (12.1) and a display member (14) swivelably mounted on the support member (12) to swivel about the swivel axis(12.1), the display member (14) including a plurality of light emitters (18) attached thereto which are spaced from the swivel axis (12.1). The display device further includes a control module (20) configured to direct the operation of the respective light emitters (18) such that they display an image in at least part of their collective locus or path when the display member (14) is swivelled about the support member (12).

Description

A DISPLAY DEVICE

FIELD OF INVENTION

THIS INVENTION relates to a display device and to a method of displaying an image.

BACKGOUND OF INVENTION

The Inventor has noticed a niche for a particular display device which he considers may be useful for spectators of sports games, for advertising, for use as toys, and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a display device which includes: a support member which defines a swivel axis; a display member swivelably mounted on the support member to swivel about the swivel axis, the display member including a plurality of light emitters attached thereto which are spaced from the swivel axis; and a control module configured to direct the operation of the respective light emitters such that they display an image in at least part of their collective locus or path when the display member is swivelled about the support member.

It is to be understood that locus (or loci) in this specification includes a line or path traced by a point or object. Therefore, as the display member, and hence the light emitters, is swivelled about the support member, each light emitter may trace a round or circular locus having the swivel axis as its centre. Thus, the collective locus of the light emitters may be cylindrical and co-axial with the swivel axis.

The term "image" in this specification includes, but is not necessarily limited to, letters, numbers, graphics, figures, and the like. The control module may be configured to direct the light emitters such that an entire image is displayed once per swivel revolution of the display member relative to the support member, in progressive-scan fashion.

More particularly, the control module may be configured to: divide the image into a plurality of operatively upright-extending strips; and direct the light emitters to display each strip successively, thereby to reconstitute the image incrementally, in use, as the display member is swivelled about the support member.

The control module may be configured to trigger the light emitters based on an orientation of the display member relative to the support member. To this end, the display device may include a sensor operable to sense an orientation of the display member relative to the support member. The sensor may be of any convenient type (e.g. optical, magnetic, electric, or the like) which is operable to detect orientation or movement, of the display member relative to the support member. In one example embodiment, the support member has a magnetic element fast with a periphery thereof while the display element includes a magnetic sensor in axial alignment with the magnetic element, or vice versa. Thus, each time the magnetic sensor passes nearby the magnetic element, the sensor will register a revolution.

The sensor may be in electrical connection with the control module. An input received by the control module from an output of the trigger may be used, for example, to trigger display of the image or to adjust a speed of the display of the image. In one example embodiment, the speed of the display of the image is predefined while the sensor is used to trigger or initiate display of the image. In such a case, swivelling the display member more quickly may result in an expanded or more spread out image while swivelling the display member more slowly may result in a narrower or more compacted image.

Instead, the sensor may be in the form of an electronic pendulum, to monitor displacement or rate of displacement, such as angular velocity, of the display member relative to the support member. The control module may in such case be operable to adjust display of the image in accordance with the angular velocity. The control module may direct the light emitters by selectively actuating them, i.e. turning them on and off at pre-determined time intervals and/or at predetermined angular positions or intervals. Additionally, actuating the light emitters may include changing the colour of the light which they are emitting.

Thus, the light emitters, in use, may produce a dot matrix-type display having, for example, a height due to the axially extending light emitters and a width or length due to angular increments or timeslots of the lights emitters as they trace their collective locus.

The support member may be in the form of an elongate post or rod, for example being circular cylindrical. In one embodiment, the support member additionally may serve as a handle so that a user may hold the display device. In such case, the user may manually cause the display member to swivel by rotating the support member or by moving it back-and-forth, e.g. in a waving fashion.

In another embodiment, the support member may include an attachment formation so that the display device can be mounted or anchored to a base structure. In such a case, the display device may include swivel means, such as an electric motor, to swivel or rotate the display member about the support member. The display member may instead, or in addition, be wind-driven.

The light emitters may be spaced radially equidistantly from and axially relative to the swivel axis.

The display member may be in the form of a roughly planar panel or slab, being connected or connectable to the support member at one end of the panel with the lights emitters being arranged at or forward of the other end of the panel, remote from the swivel axis.

The display member and the support member may include complementary guidance arrangements to hold the display member axially captive, but circumferentially displaceable, relative to the support member. More particularly, the display member may include mounting means, such as a cylindrical sleeve or bush or other bearing, to mount the display member to the support member. The support member may include a shoulder or tab to hold the display member axially captive. If desired, the display member may include a circumferentially extending slot or channel to accommodate such a shoulder or tab.

The support member and/or the display member may include a body which is moulded of a synthetic polymeric material, e.g. plastic.

The light emitters may be in the form of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes). The

LEDs may be multi-colour LEDs.

The control module may include a processor. The control module may further include a machine-readable medium having stored thereon instructions which, when executed, direct the operation of the processor. It is to be understood that the processor may be one or more microprocessors, controllers, or any other suitable computing device, resource, hardware, software, or embedded logic. If desired, the control module may be operable to display different images in successive revolutions or frames, such that the image appears to be animated.

Details of the image to be displayed may be stored on the machine-readable medium. The details of the image may be user-configurable, thereby to adjust the image displayed in use. The machine-readable medium may be in the form of or include an EPROM (Electronic Programmable Read Only Memory).

In one embodiment, the machine-readable medium may include a portion which is read-only, e.g. a set of instructions to direct the processor, and a portion which is readable and writable, e.g. the image which the display device is to display.

The display device may include an input arrangement operable to receive a user input. Input arrangement may be in the form of a switch, for instance a pushbutton switch. In such case, the device may include stored thereon a plurality of different, user-selectable images, the particular image to be displayed being user-selectable by means of the input arrangement.

Further, the input arrangement may be operable to receive an input indicative of a swivel direction and the control module may again be configured to display the image in accordance with the selected swivel direction.

The display device may include an electronic communication interface. In one embodiment, the electronic communication interface may be in the form of an electronic socket which is defined by the display member and which is in electronic communication with the control module.

The display device may include an internal power source, such as a battery, or may include connection means for connection to an external power source, such as an electrical socket or plug.

The display device may include an interference arrangement to generate a sound or noise as the display member is swivelled about the support member. The interference arrangement, for example, may include a toothed wheel on one of the support member or the display member and a resilient interference member, such as a tab or other projection, on the other of the display member or the support member to generate a noise, in use, as the teeth of the wheel interfere with the tab.

The image to be displayed in use may be configurable by means of a computer connected via electronic communication interface.

The electronic communication socket may be operable to receive one end of a communications cable, such as a USB cable or an RS232 cable. The other end of the cable may then be plugged into a remote computer system via which the message or other image may be defined or changed by the user. The remote computer system may be operable to present the user with a user interface and then receive a user input from the user indicative of the message which the user wants displayed. The invention extends to a kit which includes: a display device as defined above, in which the electronic communication interface includes an electronic socket; and a wired communication cable or connector to connect the device by means of its electronic socket to a computer.

The invention thus extends to a machine-readable medium having stored thereon a set of instructions which, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to: display a user interface to prompt a user to enter an input indicative of a message or image to be displayed by a display device as above defined; receive the user input; and adjust the control module, when in electronic communication therewith, of the display device to display the message or other image, in use, in accordance with the received user input.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of displaying an image, the method including: providing a plurality of light emitters on a display member which is swivelably mounted to a support member to swivel about a swivel axis, the light emitters being space from the swivel axis; and directing the operation of the respective light emitters such that they display at least one image in at least part of their collective locus when the display member is swivelled about the support member.

Directing the operation of the respective light emitters may include sensing an orientation of the display member relative to the support member and triggering the respective light emitters in response to the sensed orientation.

The invention extends still further to a machine-readable medium having stored thereon a set of instructions which, when executed by a control module of a display device, causes the control module to trigger respective light emitters provided on a display member thereby to display at least one image, in response to a sensed orientation of the display member relative to a support member to which the display member is swivelably mounted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a three-dimensional view of a display device, in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional side elevational view of the display device of Figure 1 ; Figure 3 is a schematic view of the display device of Figure 1 , in use, showing a message; and

Figure 4 is a schematic view of the display device of Figure 1 , in use, showing a flag.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, reference numeral 10 generally indicates a display device in accordance with the invention. The display device 10 includes an elongate support member 12 which defines a swivel axis 12.1 . A display member 14 is swivelably mounted on the support member 12 to swivel about the swivel axis 12.1 . The display member 14 is panel- or slab-shaped having two opposed major faces, with one end defining a cylindrical sleeve 16 to accommodate the support member 12, thereby to mount the display member 14 thereto. The other end includes a plurality of light emitters in the form of LEDs 18. The LEDs 18 may be a single colour or multiple colours (refer to Figure 4).

The display member 14 and the support member 12 include complementary guidance arrangements 16.1 , 17 to hold the display member 14 axially captive, but circumferentially displaceable, relative to the support member 12. The sleeve 16 defines a circumferentially extending guide slot 16.1 and the support member 12 defines a corresponding tab or projection 17. Thus, the support member 12 is received within the sleeve 16 with a sliding clearance to allow for swivelling, while the tab 17 is received within the slot 16.1 . The tab 17 resists axial movement of the display member 14 relative to the support member 12 by bearing against sides of the guide slot 16.1 , but permits swivelling.

The sleeve 16 accommodates the upper portion of the support member 12 with the lower portion being free to be held by a user. The illustrated display device 10 is thus intended for handheld use, with the support member 12 doubling as a handle, such that a user is able to hold the lower, exposed portion of the support member 12 thereby to rotate or swivel the display member 14.

The LEDs 18 are spaced equidistantly radially from, and axially relative to, the swivel axis 12.1 . In other embodiments (not illustrated), the LEDs 18 could be spaced axially and circumferentially (e.g. in a spiral configuration) relative to the swivel axis 12.1 . In use, as the display member 14 is swivelled about the support member 12, the LEDs 18 trace a cylindrical locus or path about the support member 12 (refer to Figure 3), the cylindrical locus in such case being coaxial with the swivel axis 12.1 . The display device 10 is operable to direct the LEDs 18 to display an image in their locus (further described below).

The display device 10 includes an input arrangement in the form of a pushbutton 27 arranged within the display member 14. Via the pushbutton 27, a user can adjust images to be displayed and/or can select a direction of swivel (see further below).

Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the display device 10. In particular, an interior of the display member 14 is illustrated. The display member 14 includes a control module 20 which is operable to direct the operation of the LEDs 18 such that they display an image in at least part of their collective locus when the display member

14 is swivelled about the support member 12. The control module 20 includes a processor 22 and a machine-readable medium (not illustrated) having stored there on a set of instructions to direct the operation of the processor 22. To this end, the control module 20 includes an EPROM (which may be integral with the processor 22).

The machine-readable medium also includes at least one predefined or user definable image or message to be displayed by the LEDs 18. More particularly, in this embodiment, the machine-readable medium include stored thereon a plurality of predefined images, for example 14 different images. The LEDs 18 are connected to the processor 22 by electrical leads.

The display device 10 includes a sensor 24, 25. In this example embodiment, the sensor 24, 25 comprises a magnetic element in the form of a small magnet 24 fast with one side of the support member 12 and a magnetic sensor 25 within the display member 14, the magnetic sensor 25 being axially aligned with the magnet 24 and operable to sense the magnet 24 when proximate thereto. The sensor 24, 25 is in electronic communication with the control module 20 to communicate to the control module 20 information regarding the orientation of the display member 14 relative to the support member 12.

Detection by the magnetic sensor 25 of the magnet 24 proximate thereto typically signals that a new revolution of the display member 14 is beginning. Upon detection by the sensor 24, 25 that a new revolution is beginning, the control module 20 initiates or triggers display of the image. In this example, the image is displayed at a predefined rate, i.e. based on predefined time intervals, so that for an average user- driven swivel rate (e.g. four revolutions per second) the image is displayed over an angle of about one quarter (90°) to one third (120°) of a full revolution (further described with reference to Figures 3 and 4). Instead, if desired, the display device 10 could be configured to display an image about the entire locus of the LEDs 18.

In other words, the control module 20 is configured to trigger or operate the LEDs 18 both based on the orientation of the display member relative to the support member and based on predefined time intervals (see further below).

The display device 10 further includes a battery socket 26 to receive one or more batteries (not shown) to power the control module 20, the LEDs 18 and associated circuitry. If desired, the display device 10 could include a power generation arrangement, such as a dynamo.

The display device 10 includes an automatic power off feature or, alternatively, could include an on/off switch (not illustrated). By means of the pushbutton 27, the user can select one of a plurality of predefined images. In one embodiment, if the device 10 includes 15 LEDs 18, the control module 20 could include 14 predefined images stored thereon. When the pushbutton 27 is depressed, a single LED 18 (for example LED No. 1 ), under control of the control module 20, is illuminated briefly, for example for 1 s, to indicate that image

No. 1 has been selected for display. Depression of the pushbutton 27 again causes

LED No. 2 to be illuminated briefly, indicating that image No. 2 has been selected for display, and so forth. In this fashion, all 14 predefined images are sequentially user- selectable.

If the pushbutton 27 is depressed for a length of time longer than a predefined threshold, for example 2 s, the control module 20 is configured to reverse the direction of display, and indicate this by briefly illuminating LED No. 15. This feature is particularly useful for converting the device 10 for use between left-handed and right- handed users, who typically swivel the device 10 in opposite directions.

If desired, the display device 10 can further include a communication interface such as an electronic socket 28 to receive a wired communication cable. The socket 28, in this case, provides an RS232 interface to receive one end of a corresponding RS232 communication cable, the other end of which may be plugged into a computer thereby to program or configure the image which the LEDs 18 display in use.

The Inventor envisages that the display device 10 could be packaged together with an appropriate wired communication cable in a convenient kit.

In one example embodiment (not illustrated), the computer is operable to provide a user interface via which the user can type in a message (e.g. text message) which he/she desires the display device 10 to display, in use. The computer would then upload the message to the EPROM of the display device 10 for later use.

The display device 10 will be further described in use with reference to Figures 3 and 4. The display device 10 can be programmed to display an image, in this case in the form of a text message (indicated schematically by reference numeral 30) which, for example, includes a plurality of alphanumeric characters. For the sake of example, the message 30 displayed in Figure 3 is the word "MESSAGE".

The LEDs 18 in use form a dot-matrix type display, with a height dimension formed by the height of the axially spaced LEDs 18 (which in this context may be thought of conceptually as pixels) and a width or length dimension formed by selective display of the LEDs 18 in successive or incremental time intervals, for example each having a duration of 1 to 2 ms.

Stated differently, the control module 20 is configured to direct the LEDs 18 such that an entire image is displayed once per swivel revolution of the display member relative to the support member, in progressive-scan fashion.

More particularly, the control module 20 is configured to divide the image (i.e. the message 30) into a plurality of operatively upright-extending strips or portions (generally indicated by reference numeral 32) and thereafter to direct the LEDs 18 to display each strip successively, thereby to reconstitute the image incrementally, in use, as the display member 14 is swivelled about the support member 12. In other words, the control module 20 is operable to direct the LEDs 18 to display a vertically extending strip 32 of the message 30 during a particular brief time interval. A plurality of successive vertically extending portions 32 are therefore displayed adjacent to one another to give the message 30 a width.

It is to be appreciated that the device 10 could additionally include an angular sensor or the like to sense an angle of the display member 14 relative to the support member 12 about any point in the revolution, the vertical portions 32 in such case optionally being displayed in predefined angular intervals (e.g. 2°) rather than time intervals.

In use, a user holds the support member 12 at its lower end and gyrates it around-and-around causing the display member 14 to spin or swivel around the swivel axis 12.1 . At a particular point in the revolution of the display member 14, the magnetic sensor 25 passes proximate the magnet 24. The control module 20 is in communication with the magnetic sensor 25 and thus registers that a revolution has begun. The control module 20 triggers or initiates display of the message 30.

A first horizontal strip or portion 32 (e.g. the first upright line of the letter "M") of the message 30 is displayed for a brief predefined time, e.g. 1 ms. When this timeslot elapses, the control module 20 causes the LEDs 18 to display the successive vertical portion 32 (e.g. part of the first oblique line of the letter "M") for 1 ms. As the display member 14 continues to swivel and the LEDs 18 continue to trace their locus, a plurality of successive vertical portions 32 are displayed side-by-side which together constitute the message 30 in progressive scan-fashion.

When the display member 14 is swivelled or spun around by the user, the LEDs 18 appear to trace out the message 30 in midair. When a person views the display device 10, his or her eye may perceive the entire message 30 as being displayed all at once.

In this embodiment in which the vertical portions 32 are displayed at predetermined time intervals, a user can vary the width of the message by swivelling the display member 14 more slowly or more quickly. If he or she swivels it more quickly it will appear to expand or spread out, and if more slowly, to become narrower or more compacted.

Referring now to Figure 4, an embodiment is illustrated in which the LEDs 18 are multi-colour LEDs. In other words, the control module 20 can operate the respective LEDs 18 to display one of a number of predefined colours. Thus, an individual LED 18 can display a plurality of different colours in a sweep of a single locus. An illustrated image 40 is a simplified version of the South African flag, which includes a plurality of different colours, illustrated by light shading 40.1 and dark shading 40.2.

The inventor believes that the invention as exemplified is advantageous because it provides a convenient device 10 which can be carried and swivelled by a user to display a message in an unusual way. The device 10 could be programmed to display a sports related image, the device 10 thus being useful for sports fans at sporting events. The device 10 which has multi-coloured LEDs 18 could be configured to display logos, flags, slogans, and the like of a particular sports team or of a plurality of sports teams.

In an alternative application, the device 10 could be mounted to a support surface, for example in a shop or store, the message in such case being programmed to promote a particular product or service. By way of development, the display member 14 could be driven or motorised.

Also, the device 10 could be used as a toy for children to play with.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1 . A display device which includes: a support member which defines a swivel axis; a display member swivelably mounted on the support member to swivel about the swivel axis, the display member including a plurality of light emitters attached thereto which are spaced from the swivel axis; and a control module configured to direct the operation of the respective light emitters such that they display an image in at least part of their collective locus or path when the display member is swivelled about the support member.

2. A display device as claimed in claim 1 , in which the control module is configured to direct the light emitters such that an entire image is displayed once per swivel revolution of the display member relative to the support member, in progressive- scan fashion.

3. A display device as claimed in claim 2, in which the control module is configured to: divide the image into a plurality of operatively upright-extending strips; and direct the light emitters to display each strip successively, thereby to reconstitute the image incrementally, in use, as the display member is swivelled about the support member.

4. A display device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the control module is configured to trigger the light emitters based on an orientation of the display member relative to the support member.

5. A display device as claimed in claim 4, which includes a sensor operable to sense an orientation of the display member relative to the support member.

6. A display device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the control module is configured to trigger the light emitters based on predefined time intervals.

7. A display device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the light emitters are spaced radially equidistantly from and axially relative to the swivel axis.

8. A display device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the support member is in the form of an elongate post or rod and additionally serves as a handle so that a user may hold the display device and manually cause the display member to swivel by rotating the support member or by moving it back-and-forth.

9. A display device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the control module includes a processor and a machine-readable medium having stored thereon instructions to direct the operation of the processor.

10. A display device as claimed in claim 9, in which details of the image to be displayed are stored on the machine-readable medium and in which the details of the image are user-configurable, thereby to adjust the image displayed in use.

1 1 . A display device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, which includes an input arrangement operable to receive a user input.

12. A display device is claimed in claim 1 1 , which includes stored thereon a plurality of different, user-selectable images, the particular image to be displayed being user-selectable by means of the input arrangement.

13. A display device as claimed in claim 1 1 or claim 12, in which the input arrangement is operable to receive an input indicative of a swivel direction and in which the control module is configured to display the image in accordance with the selected swivel direction.

14. A display device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, which includes an electronic communication interface for connecting the display device to a computer.

15. A display device as claimed in claim 14, in which the image to be displayed in use is configurable by means of a computer connected via electronic communication interface.

16. A kit which includes: a display device as claimed in claim 14 or claim 15, in which the electronic communication interface includes an electronic socket; and a wired communication cable or connector to connect the display device by means of its electronic socket to a computer.

17. A method of displaying an image, the method including: providing a plurality of light emitters on a display member which is swivelably mounted to a support member to swivel about a swivel axis, the light emitters being space from the swivel axis; and directing the operation of the respective light emitters such that they display at least one image in at least part of their collective locus when the display member is swivelled about the support member.

18. A method as claimed in claim 17, in which directing the operation of the respective light emitters includes sensing an orientation of the display member relative to the support member and triggering the respective light emitters in response to the sensed orientation.

19. A machine-readable medium having stored thereon a set of instructions which, when executed by a control module of a display device, causes the control module to trigger respective light emitters provided on a display member thereby to display at least one image, in response to a sensed orientation of the display member relative to a support member to which the display member is swivelably mounted.