1111111111111111 IIIIII IIIII 11111 1111111111 111111111111111 IIIII IIIII 11111 1111111111 11111111
`US 20080266206Al
`
`c19) United States
`c12) Patent Application Publication
`Nelson et al.
`
`c10) Pub. No.: US 2008/0266206 Al
`Oct. 30, 2008
`(43) Pub. Date:
`
`(54) MODULAR SYSTEM FORA DISPLAY PANEL
`ASSEMBLY
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors:
`
`William R. Nelson, Waukesha, WI
`(US); Patrick J. Armstrong,
`Menomonee Falls, WI (US); Yavuz
`S. Saglam, Sussex, WI (US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`FOLEY & LARDNER LLP
`777 EAST WISCONSIN AVENUE
`MILWAUKEE, WI 53202-5306 (US)
`
`(73) Assignee:
`
`ADAPTIVE MOCRO SYSTEMS
`LLC
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`11/884,173
`
`(22) PCT Filed:
`
`Mar. 11, 2005
`
`(86) PCT No.:
`
`PCT /US2005/008318
`
`§ 371 (c)(l),
`(2), ( 4) Date:
`
`Aug. 10, 2007
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`G09G 5100
`(2006.01)
`(52) U.S. Cl. ......................................................... 345/1.3
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A modular system for a display panel assembly includes
`modular frame members connectable to form a network. Bus
`bars are connectable to the frame members and are configured
`to at least partially support the frame members in a row or
`column of frame members in the network. Modular display
`units are connectable to the frame members to form a display
`panel assembly.
`
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`
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`46
`
`54
`
`46
`
`50
`
`Samsung Exhibit 1012
`Samsung Elecs. Co., Ltd. v. Ultravision Techns., LLC
`IPR2020-01176
`Page 00001
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 30, 2008 Sheet 1 of 18
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`US 2008/0266206 Al
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 30, 2008 Sheet 3 of 18
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`FIGURE 1C
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Oct. 30, 2008 Sheet 4 of 18
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`FIGURE 2A
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`IPR2020-01176 Page 00005
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 30, 2008 Sheet 5 of 18
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`FIGURE 2B
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 30, 2008 Sheet 6 of 18
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`IPR2020-01176 Page 00007
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 30, 2008 Sheet 7 of 18
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`US 2008/0266206 Al
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`FIGURE 3A
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`IPR2020-01176 Page 00008
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 30, 2008 Sheet 8 of 18
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`FIGURE 3B
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`IPR2020-01176 Page 00009
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Oct. 30, 2008 Sheet 9 of 18
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`IPR2020-01176 Page 00010
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 30, 2008 Sheet 10 of 18
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`US 2008/0266206 Al
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`Oct. 30, 2008
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`1
`
`MODULAR SYSTEM FORA DISPLAY PANEL
`ASSEMBLY
`
`FIELD
`
`[0001] The present invention relates to a modular system
`for a display panel assembly. The present invention relates
`more particularly to a modular system for assembling an
`illuminated electronic display panel in a wide variety of sizes
`and/or shapes.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`[0002] Electronic display panels (such as message boards
`and alphanumeric signs) for conveying information such as
`messages and other types of information to an observer are
`generally known. Such display panels may include illumina(cid:173)
`tion devices such as an array oflight emitting diodes (LEDs)
`configured to illuminate in predetermined colors and/or pat(cid:173)
`terns to create words (in any suitable language) or images for
`conveying information to observers. The physical size of such
`display panels may be any of a wide variety of sizes suited for
`the intended application, and range from relatively "small"
`(e.g. applications intended for "up-close" viewing) to rela(cid:173)
`tively "large" ( e.g. applications intended for distant viewing).
`[0003] Many conventional display panels are custom
`manufactured to the desired size intended or specified for a
`particular application. However, one disadvantage is that
`such custom-manufactured units tend to be relatively expen(cid:173)
`sive and time-consuming to construct. More recently, display
`panels ( such as large display panels) may also be constructed
`by assembling "smaller" display panels ( e.g. sub-panels) into
`a "larger" size display panel as necessary for the intended
`application. However, one disadvantage of assembling
`smaller display panels to create a larger sized display panel is
`that the assembly process is typically a labor-intensive, "fac(cid:173)
`tory-assembled" operation due to the complexity of the vari(cid:173)
`ous mechanical and electrical requirements, and alignment
`specifications for interconnecting the smaller display panels,
`which tends to be difficult to accomplish at ajobsite or instal(cid:173)
`lation location. Another disadvantage of custom-manufactur(cid:173)
`ing a display panel or assembling a display panel from smaller
`display panels is that shipment of "finished" large display
`panels also tends to be more expensive then shipping smaller
`display panels to a j o bsite, and occasionally damage to a large
`display panel or degradation in the alignment of the various
`smaller display panels can occur during shipping or installa(cid:173)
`tion that is difficult and/or expensive to repair at the installa(cid:173)
`tion or jobsite. Another disadvantage of the typical large
`display signs formed from multiple smaller display signs is
`that the smaller display signs are usually not designed to
`support the loading and weight of other smaller display signs
`in the assembly (e.g. by stacking, etc.) and often require
`supplemental supports, bracing or framework to maintain the
`structural integrity of the large display sign. A further disad(cid:173)
`vantage is that removal and replacement of individual smaller
`display panels from a large display panel assembly for main(cid:173)
`tenance, repair and/or replacement is usually complicated,
`due in part, to the various mechanical and electrical intercon(cid:173)
`nections between the smaller display panels and/or the
`supplemental supports. Another disadvantage of forming
`large displays from smaller display panels is the complexity
`of aligning the smaller display panels so that their pixels
`provide a uniform appearance to an observer. This potential
`variation in alignment of the smaller display panels, particu-
`
`larly with "finer" pitched displays (such as less than 12 mil(cid:173)
`limeters for example) tends to be readily detectable by a
`human eye and may reduce the quality of the display as
`perceived by an observer.
`[0004] Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a modu(cid:173)
`lar system for assembling a display panel that permits smaller
`display panel components, units or modules to be assembled
`into a display panel having any desired size and/or shape. It
`would also be desirable to provide a modular system for
`assembling a display panel having features for alignment of
`the pixels of the smaller display panels that minimizes the
`potential for mismatch. It would also be desirable to provide
`a modular system for assembling a display panel that permits
`components of the display panel to be readily pre-tested and/
`or assembled at a jobsite. It would also be desirable to provide
`a modular system for a display panel that permits the display
`panel to be constructed from modular components into any
`desired size and shape. It would also be desirable to provide a
`modular system for a display panel having relatively stan(cid:173)
`dardized components that are configured to be easily and
`correctly assembled at a factory or jobsite location. It would
`further be desirable to provide a modular system for a display
`panel that is configured to maintain the structural integrity of
`the display panel in any of a wide variety of sizes. It would be
`further desirable to provide a display panel assembled from
`modular sub-panels that are easily replaceable. It would be
`further desirable to provide modular sub-panels assembled
`from a modular display unit connectable to a modular frame
`member, so that the frame members may be interconnected
`into a frame network for receiving the modular display units,
`or the sub-panels may be assembled and then interconnected.
`[0005] Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a
`modular system for a display panel having any one or more of
`these or other advantageous features.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`[0006] One embodiment of the invention relates to a modu(cid:173)
`lar system for a display panel assembly. The system includes
`a plurality of modular frames connectable into a two-dimen(cid:173)
`sional matrix of at least one row and at least one colunm of the
`frames. At least one power bus is connected along frames of
`the or the colunm. A plurality of modular display units are
`connectable to the frames and the power bus, and a commu(cid:173)
`nication device configured to communicate signals to the
`display units.
`[0007] Another embodiment of the invention relates to a
`modular display system. The system includes a plurality of
`modular frame members connectable to form a network. At
`least one bus bar is connectable to the frame members and
`configured to at least partially support the frame members in
`one of a row and a column of frame members in the network.
`A plurality of modular display units are connectable to the
`frame members to form a display panel assembly.
`[0008] Another embodiment of the invention relates to a
`modular frame member for receiving a modular display ele(cid:173)
`ment of a display panel assembly. The frame member
`includes a base, with a socket and a projection coupled to the
`base. The socket on the base is configured to receive the
`projection on another base to connect and align adjacent
`frame members. A connecting structure on the base is con(cid:173)
`figured to receive the display element.
`[0009] A further embodiment of the invention is related to
`a method of assembling a modular display panel. The method
`includes requesting that a plurality ofinterconnectable modu-
`
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`Oct. 30, 2008
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`2
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`lar frames and modular display units be transported to a first
`location, connecting the frames at the first location to form a
`network, connecting at least one bus bar to at least one of a
`row and a column of frames in the network, and connecting a
`plurality of modular display units to the frames.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0010] FIG. lA is a schematic representation of a front
`elevation view of a modular system for a display panel
`according to one embodiment.
`[0011] FIG. 1B is a schematic representation of a rear
`elevation view of the modular system for a display panel of
`FIG. lA.
`[0012] FIG. lC is a schematic representation of a side
`elevation view of the modular system for a display panel of
`FIG. lA.
`[0013] FIG. 2A is a schematic representation of a front
`perspective view of the modular system for a display panel of
`FIG. lA.
`[0014] FIG. 2B is a schematic representation of a front
`perspective view of a portion of the modular system for a
`display panel of FIG. lA.
`[0015] FIG. 2C is a schematic representation of a perspec(cid:173)
`tive view of a device for use with a modular system for a
`display panel according to one embodiment.
`[0016] FIG. 3A is a schematic representation of an
`exploded front perspective view of a portion of the modular
`system for a display panel of FIG. lA.
`[0017] FIG. 3B is a schematic representation of a rear per(cid:173)
`spective view of a portion of the modular system for a display
`panel of FIG. 3A.
`[0018] FIG. 3C is a schematic representation of a front
`elevation view of another portion of the modular system for a
`display panel of FIG. 3A.
`[0019] FIG. 3D is a schematic representation of a rear per(cid:173)
`spective view of another portion of the modular system for a
`display panel of FIG. 3A.
`[0020] FIG. 3E is a schematic representation of a rear per(cid:173)
`spective view of another portion of the modular system for a
`display panel of FIG. 3A.
`[0021] FIG. 3F is a schematic representation of a rear per(cid:173)
`spective view of a modular display unit portion of the modular
`system for a display panel according to the embodiment of
`FIG. 3A.
`[0022] FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a front per(cid:173)
`spective view of a portion of the modular system for a display
`panel of FIG. lA.
`[0023] FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a rear per(cid:173)
`spective view of the portion of the modular system for a
`display panel of FIG. 4.
`[0024] FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of a front per(cid:173)
`spective view of a portion of the modular system for a display
`panel of FIG. lA.
`[0025] FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of a rear per(cid:173)
`spective view of the portion of the modular system for a
`display panel of FIG. 6.
`[0026] FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of a detailed
`cross sectional view of a portion of the modular system for the
`display panel of FIG. 7.
`[0027] FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of a perspective
`view of another portion of a modular system for a display
`panel according to one embodiment.
`
`[0028] FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of a perspec(cid:173)
`tive view of a portion of the modular system for a display
`panel of FIG. 9.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`[0029] Referring to the FIGURES, a modular system for a
`display panel assembly that may be formed in any of a wide
`variety of sizes and/or shapes is shown according to one
`embodiment. The modular system is shown to include rela(cid:173)
`tively standardized components configured to easily inter(cid:173)
`connect (mechanically and electrically) and align in a certain
`predetermined fastening arrangement at a factory or jobsite,
`with a minimum number of external mechanical fasteners as
`well as electrical connectors and wires, and that provides
`suitable structural support for the display panel as a whole.
`The modular system is shown and described for use with a
`generally planar illuminated display such as a message board
`or information screen or the like having light emitting diodes
`(LEDs). However, other embodiments of the modular system
`may be used with any suitable panel, having any desired
`shape (e.g. curved, convex, concave, in two or three dimen(cid:173)
`sions, etc.) for conveying images or information, and using
`any suitable type of illumination devices ( e.g. lamps, bulbs,
`fiber optics, LEDs, LCD panels, plasma displays, etc.).
`[0030] Referring to FIGS. lA-lC and 2A-2B, a modular
`system for a display panel assembly 10 is shown according to
`an exemplary embodiment (shown for example to include a
`2x2 array of four sub-panels 12 (e.g. "tiles" etc.), a power
`supply system and a communication system). Each sub-panel
`12 is shown to include a single frame member and a single
`display unit. However, any suitable number of sub-panels
`may be assembled in any combination or permutation to form
`a display sign having a desired size and/or shape to suit a
`particular application. The desired number of sub-panels are
`interconnected to provide an assembly of the desired size and
`shape, and are shown connected to an enclosure 14 (e.g.
`junction box, power distribution box, etc.-shown for
`example along a top of the display panel assembly, but may be
`remote-mounted) for providing a source of power to the elec(cid:173)
`trical components of the sub-panels. The enclosure may be
`connected to the display sign using any suitable method such
`as threaded fasteners, snap-lock connections, slide-lock con(cid:173)
`nections, clips, adhesive, etc. (not shown). The enclosure 14
`includes a power supply system having suitable power supply
`components, such as a power supply 20 (e.g. 120/240 VAC,
`50/60 Hz) and a power bus with conductive members (shown
`as bus strips and insulating members 22, but may be cables or
`other suitable conductors) for interconnecting electrically
`conductive members (shown as bus bars 24, 26) (illustrated
`by way of example as interconnecting a top portion of the bus
`bars-see FIG. 2B). For the illustrated display panel applica(cid:173)
`tions using LEDs, a communication system having a commu(cid:173)
`nication device ( e.g. data bus, etc.) is shown with wired com(cid:173)
`munication/signal/data protocols, the sub-panels are shown
`to include suitable cables, such as low-voltage signal carrier
`cables (e.g. digital video input (DVI) cables 28 or the like) for
`interconnecting the electrical components of the sub-panels,
`and using suitable connectors ( e.g. plugs, jacks, receptacles,
`etc.) of a conventional type (see FIGS. 1B-lC). According to
`one alternative embodiment, the communication device may
`be a modular data bus formed by suitable conductors fitted
`into ( or otherwise connected to) the frame members so that
`mechanical connection of display units to the frame members
`also connects the display unit components to the modular data
`
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`bus ( e.g. in a "plug and play" like manner, etc.). According to
`another alternative embodiment, the data bus may be
`arranged for wireless signal communication to, and/or
`among, the sub-panels. The display panel assembly may be
`enclosed in any suitable structure (before or after assembly),
`such as a wall of a facility, a window, a weather-resistant
`housing, a monument-type object, a superstructure (e.g. for
`mounting two display panels assemblies in a "back-to-back"
`arrangement), or other suitable structure (not shown) to pro(cid:173)
`vide desired features such as a "finished" appearance,
`weather protection, access control, etc.
`[0031] Referring to FIGS. 2A-3A, the modular compo(cid:173)
`nents for a sub-panel of the modular assembly for a display
`panel are shown schematically according to an exemplary
`embodiment. The modular components include a frame
`member 40 (e.g. mounting ring, bracket, etc.). The modular
`components also include a display unit ( connectable to the
`frame member), which comprises a first housing (e.g. cap,
`etc.-shown as a DVI splitter and/or DVI turbo cover 70) for
`housing a first printed circuit board (PCB) 90 for DVI distri(cid:173)
`bution and/or signal amplification (e.g. "turbo" etc.). The
`display unit also includes-a second housing (e.g. mounting
`plate, cover, etc.-shown as a rear panel 100) configured to
`receive a second PCB 120 for providing DC voltage conver(cid:173)
`sion, and a third PCB 140 that functions as a driver board and
`having an array of LEDs mounted to a front surface, and a
`third housing ( e.g. louver, contrast plate, cover, etc.-shown
`as a front panel 160). The modular components are config(cid:173)
`ured for assembly according to any one of several convenient
`methods. For example, the frame members 40 may be con(cid:173)
`nected into a frame network (e.g. grid, matrix, "skeleton"
`etc.) having rows and columns of interconnected frame mem(cid:173)
`bers. The remaining components of the sub-panel 12 may be
`assembled into a display unit ( e.g. cassette, cartridge, module,
`"block" etc.). The frame network is intended to provide a
`properly aligned "foundation" upon which the display unit is
`directly connectable to a create a display panel assembly.
`Formation of a frame network into a properly aligned struc(cid:173)
`ture is intended to permit separation of a generally "rough"
`portion of the work (i.e. construction of the "foundation")
`from a more "delicate" portion of the work (i.e. assembly and
`connection of the electronic components of the display units).
`By further way of example, the modular components may all
`be assembled into a modular sub-panel, and any number of
`modular sub-panels may be interconnected to form a display
`panel assembly. In yet another example, the modular compo(cid:173)
`nents may be assembled and interconnected in any suitable
`arrangement or sequence to facilitate the needs of particular
`application (e.g. part availability, schedule, weather condi(cid:173)
`tions, installation site accessibility, etc.). The modular frame
`member is shown for use with a single modular display unit.
`However, according to alternative embodiments, a single
`modular frame member may be configured for use with two or
`more display units.
`[0032] Referring to FIGS. 2B and 3E, a modular frame
`member 40 component is shown according to one embodi(cid:173)
`ment. Frame member 40 is shown as a generally planar rect(cid:173)
`angular member having a sleeve ( e.g. socket, receptacle,
`etc.-shown as a first tubular member 42) at a first corner and
`another sleeve ( e.g. projection, post, etc.-shown as a second
`tubular member 44) at a second corner (shown for example as
`located at the top corners). The tubular members are shown
`having a generally frustoconical shape, but may be provided
`as cylindrical, cone-shaped, etc. The first tubular member 42
`
`on one frame member 40 is sized to receive the second tubular
`member 44 on another (adjacent) frame member 40 to inter(cid:173)
`connect the frame members (see FIG. 7) in a certain prede(cid:173)
`termined manner so that the frame members are arranged and
`connected in a proper orientation and the frame members of
`the network are properly aligned to present a substantially
`uniform appearance ( e.g. to preserve visual acuity and mini(cid:173)
`mize "mismatch" or parallax distortion detectable by an
`observer) from the pixels of the display units attached to the
`network. The tubular members 42, 44 are shown to interface
`in a "mating" or "nesting" relationship (see FIG. 8) and may
`be secured to one another using a threaded fastener or other
`type of conventional fastener. According to an alternative
`embodiment, the tubular members may interconnect using a
`snap-fit type arrangement (e.g. barbs, ribs, etc.), an interfer(cid:173)
`ence fit, adhesive, etc. According to another alternative
`embodiment, the frame member may be formed having a
`non-planar form ( e.g. curved, convex, concave, etc.) and the
`frame may be provided in additional shapes (e.g. triangular,
`circular, semi-circular, etc.) to increase the available options
`for possible shapes of the display panel assembly. Further, the
`sleeves may be provided having any suitable structure for
`mating in a projection-and-socket arrangement.
`[0033] Referring further to FIGS. 3E and 7 the frame mem(cid:173)
`bers 40 include resilient tabs 46 ( e.g. fingers, prongs, wings,
`etc.) shown schematically along the rear bottom and sides of
`the frame member 40 that are configured to engage ( e.g. by
`snap-fit, etc.) a receptacle 48 ( e.g. slot, aperture, window, etc.)
`provided along the top and sides of another (adjacent) frame
`member 40 (see FIG. 7). The interconnection of the tubular
`members 42, 44 and the tabs 46 and receptacles 48 are
`intended to permit interconnection of adjacent frame mem(cid:173)
`bers 40 in a certain predetermined arrangement to facilitate
`correct assembly and alignment, so that the frame members
`40 may be quickly and easily assembled in a factory or at a
`jobsite. The frame members 40 are also shown to include
`retainers 50 ( e.g. fingers, tabs, wings, etc.) that are configured
`to receive and retain the display unit as a whole, by intercon(cid:173)
`necting with rear panel 100 ( e.g. in a snap-fit or snap-connect
`relationship, etc.). Frame members 40 are also shown to
`include positioners 52 ( e.g. tolerancing tabs, etc.-see FIGS.
`lC and 2B) intended to facilitate proper positioning and
`alignment of components of the sub-panel 12 within the
`frame member 40. According to alternative embodiments, the
`tabs, receptacles and retainer may be provided in any desir(cid:173)
`able shape (e.g. interlocking ribs and channels, etc.) and
`location to facilitate interconnection of the frame members
`and the positioners may be provided in any suitable shape
`(e.g. alignment pins, ribs, channels, etc.) and location to
`facilitate alignment of the components of the sub-panel
`within the frame member.
`[0034] Referring to FIGS. 2B, 3Eand5, the frame members
`40 are also shown to include cross members 54 ( e.g. channels,
`struts, ribs, braces, supports, etc.-shown schematically as
`two cross members 54) extending from a top side to a bottom
`side of the frame member. Cross mem