GB2183074A - Animated illuminated display - Google Patents

Abstract

An animated display (1) comprises a plurality of light guides (5) provided with means (8, 12, 16, 17, 22) for illuminating input ends of the guides. The illuminating means is arranged to provide a variable illumination of the input ends. The output ends (4) of the guides are arranged to provide a desired display image, for instance on a front panel (3) of the display. The input ends of the guides face the illuminating means and are arranged at predetermined positions with respect to each other and with respect to the output ends and with respect to the pattern of illumination.

Description

SPECIFICATION Animation display and method of manufacture The present invention relates to animated displays and methods of manufacture. Such displays may be of the panel or other type of configuration, and provide an illuminated display which changes with time. This may, for instance, involve sequentially illuminating the whole display or parts thereof, or sequentially changing the colours of the display or parts thereof, or any combination of the two.

Known fibre optic displays include bundles of or individual fibres with their light input ends fixed in a suitable position for illumination by a light source and their light output ends brought through and secured to a display fascia at the front to provide an arrangement of dots of light. A rotating wheel having a plurality of opaque and transparent regions of different colours is placed between the light source and the input ends of the fibres. As the wheel rotates, the colour of the light entering the input ends of the fibres is varied.

The light is transmitted along the optical fibres and emitted from the output ends to provide a randomly animated image.

The fibres or bundles at the illuminated or input end are usually randomly juxtaposed during manufacture and, in order to provide an organised or non-prandom display, each individual output end has to be associated with the position of its input and so that the output end can be properly located with respect to all the other output ends to provide the desired animation. In particular, during manufacture, the fibres or bundles are formed into a communal collar at their input ends whereas the output ends are left free. The input collar end is then illuminated and a colour change effected and the output ends which change colour first have their position noted and numbered. These output ends can then be located according to a predetermined desired animation. This is time consuming and inefficient.

Also, the random location of the input ends limits the possibilities for animation.

Another disadvantage is that the amount of animation is limited by the area available behind the wheel which can be illuminated by the light source. Where bundles of fibres are used, the animation is seldom if ever even.

Also, the use of a wheel and light source to illuminate the input ends causes the display to be relatively large, thus limiting the range of possible applications.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided an animated display comprising a plurality of light guides, each of which has an input end and an output end, and illuminating means for providing variable illumination of the input ends, the output ends being fixed in a predetermined juxtaposition to provide a predetermined display image, each of the input ends facing the illuminating means and being fixed at a predetermined position with respect to the other input ends.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of making an animated display, comprising fixing output ends of a plurality of light guides in a predetermined juxtaposition to provide a predetermined display image, and fixing an input end of each light guide at a predetermined position with respect to the other input ends facing illuminating means for providing variable illumination of the input ends.

It is thus possible to provide an animated display which can be manufactured relatively easily and with great accuracy and which provides a predetermined display animation without having to identify cable ends from a random bundle. Because the input ends are arranged at predetermined relative positions facing the illuminating means, a new type of display image can be created rapidly and efficiently. Also, a display providing a particular effect can be mass produced efficiently without the need for identifying fibres and fibre ends after random location of the input ends.

Cost can therefore be reduced.

Each light guide may comprise an optical fibre or a bundle of optical fibres, and the fibres may be made from glass of suitable quality, from a transparent plastics material of suitable quality, or from any other suitable material capable of transmitting light.

Preferably the illuminating means comprises an elongate light source, an endless medium guided along a path between the light source and the input ends and having a plurality of regions of different light-transmissive properties and means for transporting the medium so that the regions move along the path. The light source may be a discharge tube, for instance a fluorescent tube. It has been surprisingly found that the predetermined positioning of the input ends allows them to be illuminated by such a light source to provide sufficient light output at the output ends. Also, because an elongate light source can be used, the input ends can be spaced as desired. The regions of the medium preferably have different colour-transmissive properties. The medium may comprise exposed and developed photographic transparency film.The use of such a cold light source allows such film to be used and, in combination with the predetermined positioning of the input ends and an extended light source, many more animation effects can be achieved than with the prior art. For instance, by arranging for different groups of fibres to illuminate different image features, the effective spacing of the fibres of the two groups may differ to allow, for instance, a different speed of animation, such as a creeping colour change or illumination, to be achieved with a common source of illumi nation.

The endless medium may comprise an endless loop, for instance of transparency film.

This can be driven continuously, for instance by a motor drive to a sprocket, and allows extended animation sequences to be provided.

The depth of the display can also be substantially reduced compared with the prior art, making the display more convenient and capable of use in locations which would be difficult or impossible with previously known displays.

In another embodiment, the endless medium comprises a cylinder and the transporting means is arranged to rotate the cylinder about its axis. The cylinder may be made of exposed and developed transparency film or transparent material with different regions of colour adhered thereto or exposed and printed thereon, and can provide more rapid animation sequences. The cylinder may be divided into any suitable pattern of, for instance, differently coloured regions. In one example, the regions extend helically around the cylindrical surface and this may be used to provide creeping colour change effects. An elongate light source, such as a fluorescent tube, may be disposed along the axis of the cylinder. Such an arrangement also allows a compact and relatively thin display to be provided.

The output ends may be fixed in a substantially flat surface and may extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface, whereas the input ends extend in a direction substantially parallel to the surface. This allows the display to be made relatively compact with its depth reduced as compared with previously known arrangements in which the diameter of a colour wheel causes the depth to be far greater.

Control means may be provided for controlling an electrical device, such as additional illumination means, a timing device, or sound generating means, the control means comprising an opto-electrical transducer for detecting the passage of a predetermined mark on the medium through a light path and switching means actuated by detection of the mark. The display animation may therefore be partly controlled automatically or additional sound features may be provided to enhance the effect of the display.

The output ends may be arranged in a regular array, such as a rectangular or dot matrix array, and the input ends may be arranged in a corresponding array. The input end array will normally reproduce the output end array to a smaller scale. The display will therefore reproduce the pattern of illumination provided by the illuminating means. For instance, in the case of a film loop carrying a message, the message will move across the display as the film loop is transported along its path.

The invention will be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a rear view of a display constituting a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows a detail of the display of Fig. 1; Figure 3 is a block circuit diagram of a control circuit of the display of Fig. 1; Figure 4 shows another arrangement for an animated display; Figure 5 is a rear view of a display constituting second embodiment of the invention using the arrangement of Fig. 1; Figure 6 is a part-sectional view of a table lamp display constituting a third embodiment of the invention using the arrangement of Fig.

1; Figure 7 is a front view of a display according to the invention illustrating different types of animation; and Figure 8 illustrates part of a film for providing display animation together with an arrangement of fibre input ends.

Fig. 1 shows an animated display 1 comprising a generally rectangular case 2, a front panel 3, and a rear panel which is not shown.

The front panel 3 is made of opaque material and has formed therein a plurality of holes for receiving the output ends 4, only some of which are shown, of optical fibres 5. The holes 6 are arranged in a pattern corresponding to the word "WELCOME". The holes are shown for the letter W and are indicated diagrammatically for the other letters.

The optical fibres 5 are arranged individually or in separate bundles for each letter and the input ends are fixed in through holes in a spacing block 7. The input ends of the optical fibres extend through the holes in the block 7 and end at the lower surface of the block.

The lower surface of the block 7 and the input ends of the optical fibres 5 are adjacent and face a lower run of an exposed and developed photographic film 8. The film 8 is arranged s a continuous loop which passes over idler sppols 9 and 10 rotatably mounted to the face 3, a tensioning spool 11, and a drive sprocket 12. The tensioning spool 11 is rotatably mounted on an arm 13 which is pivoted at 14 to the face 3. A tensioning spring 15 is connected between the lever 13 and the face 3 so as to apply tension to the loop of film 8 to maintain it taut.

The drive sprocket 12 engages in the edge perforations of the film 8 so as to transport the film. The sprocket 12 is driven via a gearbox 16 by a mains-powered induction motor 17.

Power for the display is supplied via a mains cable 18 to a board 19. The motor 17 is connected to the board 19 by a cable 20 so as to be driven continuously whenever mains power is present. The board 19 also carries starting and ballast components 21 for a cold light source in the form of a fluorescent tube 22.

The fluorescent tube 22 is located on the side of the lower run of film 8 facing the block 7 and the input ends of the optical fibres 5. The input ends therefore receive light from the tube 22 through the film 8. The board 19 and the tube 22 are electrically connected to a control circuit 23 via cables 24 and 25. The control circuit 23 is connected to an optical sensor 26, which is shown in more detail in Fig. 2.

The sensor 26 comprises a first part 27 containing a light source such as a light emitting diode and a second part 28 containing an opto-electrical transducer such as a phototransistor. The light emitting diode and the phototransistor are directed towards each other and define a light path between the parts 27 and 28.

The sensor 26 is positioned so that one edge portion of the film 8 passes through this light path. This edge portion is normally transparent and does not interrupt the light path.

However, at least one opaque mark 29 is provided on the edge portion so as to interrupt the light path when the or each mark 29 passes between the parts 27 and 28.

Fig. 3 is a block circuit diagram of the control circuit 23 shown in Fig. 1. A phototransistor 30 of the sensor 26 is connected to the input of a Schmitt trigger circuit 31 whose output is connected to trigger a timer 32. The output of the timer 32 is connected to the input of a drive circuit 33 whose output controls an electromagnetic relay 34. The relay has a normally open contact which is connected to the supply circuit 21 on the board 19 for the fluorescent tube 22. A power supply unit 35 derives suitable power supply voltages from the mains supply for the light emitting diode 36 of the sensor 26, the Schmitt trigger 31, the timer 32 and the drive circuit 33.

In use, with mains power supplied to the display 1, the motor 17 rotates continuously and, via the gearbox 16 and the drive sprocket 12, continuously transports the loop of film 8. When the or each opaque mark 29 passes through the light path between the light emitting diode 36 and the phototransistor 30, the electrical signal from the phototransistor 30 triggers the Schmitt trigger which in turn starts the timer 32. The timer 32 provides an output signal for a predetermined time period to the drive circuit 33, which therefore actuates the relay 34 for this period.

Power is therefore supplied to the fluorescent tube 22 for this period.

The film 8, which is transparency film that has been exposed, developed and processed so as to have a predetermined pattern of colours and/or intensities moves along between the input ends of the optical fibres 5 and the fluorescent tube 22 so that the pattern of illumination of the input ends of the optical fibres 5 changes with time, the pattern effectively moving along past the input ends.

The input ends of the optical fibres 5 are each arranged at a predetermined location with respect to the other input ends. Thus, the positions of all the input ends, and likewise all the output ends, are aranged at predetermined locations during manufacture so as to achieve a desired effect. For instance, the letters of the word "WELCOME" to be displayed are made up of straight line segments.

The input ends of the optical fibres for each line segment may be arranged in order parallel to the direction of movement of the film along the surface of the board 7, with the input ends for the individual line segments being aranged parallel to each other. The bundles of fibres for each letter are arranged in this way one after the other in the direction of film movement and, as illustrated in Fig. 2, the exposed and developed part of the transparency film 8 contains regions of different colours with abrupt longitudinal changes in colour as indicated at 37. As such a colour change 37 moves across a bundle of fibres corresponding to one of the letters, the light supplied by the output ends of the fibres through the holes 6 changes fron one colour to another with the colour change appearing to creep along each line segment.Such a colour change will start at the letter "W" and will then occur across each letter in turn. However, any suitable predetermined colour and/or intensity pattern may be provided on the film 8, including opaque portions, and the input and output ends of the fibres may be arranged in any predetermined arrangement to provide a desired predetermined effect.

At the end of the time period provided by the timer 32, the contact of the relay 34 returns to its normally open position and the fluorescent tube 32 is extinguished until the next opaque mark 29 passes through the light path between the light emitting diode 36 and the phototransistor 30.

Fig. 4 shows another type of arrangement for illuminating the input ends of optical fibres.

The arrangement comprises a motor 40 connected via a reduction gearbox 41 to a pulley wheel 42. The pulley wheel 42 drives a rotatably mounted cylindrical sleve 43 via an endless flexible belt 44.

The sleeve 43 has an opaque region 45, an opaque end cap 46, and a light-transmissive portion 47 carrying a predetermined pattern of colour and/or intensity variations. The portion 47 is made of exposed, developed and processed photographic film.

Boards 48 and 49 face the portion 47 of the cylindrical sleeve 43 and extend parallel to the axis thereof. The boards 48 and 49 are provided with a plurality of through holes which receive input ends of optical fibres 50.

The holes and input ends are arranged at predetermined locations with respect to each other so that the output ends can be corre lated and hence located at predetermined relative positions in order to provide a predeter mined display effect. Any suitable pattern of colours and/or intensities may be carried by the transport portion 47. For instance, regions of different colours may be separated by lines parallel to the axis for abrupt colour changes or by helical lines for moving or creeping changes. The surface may be divided into different cylindrical portions each having individual patterns for independently controlling individual fibres or respective bundles of fibres.

Although two boards 48-and 49 are shown in Fig. 4, any number may be provided as desired.

A fluorescent tube 51 extends along the axis of the cylindrical sleeve 43. The tube is mounted in a holder 52 which is fixed to a base 53.

Fig. 5 shows an animated display of the type shown in Fig. 1 but incorporating the arangement of Fig. 4. Like reference numerals refer to like parts and will not be further described. The display of Fig. 5 also differs from that of Fig. 1 in that it does not have the sensor 26 and control circuit 23. Thus, the motor 40 rotates continuously and the fluorescent tube 51 is illuminated continuously whenever mains power is supplied via the cable 18.

The transparent portion 47 is shawn as having differently colour portions separated by helical lines so as to provide a similar "creeping colour" display to that produced by the display of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 shows a display in the form of a table lamp employing an arrangement of the type shown in Fig. 4. The same reference numerals refer to like parts and will not be further described. The display comprises a base 60 with a fixed central pillar 61. The holde 52 is fixed to the pillar 61 and carries the fluorescent tube 51.

The rotating sleeve has an opaque portion 45 spaced from a portion 47 of varying colour and/or intensity by a clear portion 62.

Mains power for the motor 40 and the fluorescent tube 51 is supplied through a cable 63 via an on/off switch 64.

An outer sleeve 65 is upstanding from the base 60 and extends as far as the bottom of the clear portion 62 of the cyulindrical sleeve.

A lamp shape 66 is fixed to the sleeve 65 by stays 67 and 68. The lamp shade 66 has a plurality of holes 69 arranged in a predetermined pattern and receiving the output ends of the optical fibres 50. The input ends of the optical fibres 50 are arranged in predetermined relative locations in the boards 48 and 49 and the output ends are likewise arranged in predetermined relative locations in the holes 69 so as to provide a predetermined animated display effect. In addition, the clear portion 62 of the cylindrical sleeve allows light to.pass downwardly through the generally annular space between the bottom of the lamp shade 66 and the top of the sleeve 65. It is thus possible to provide conventional table lamp il lumination in combination with the animated display.

The display of Fig. 7 has a front panel 70 which is opaque and perforated so as to receive the output ends of a plurality of optical fibres. The output ends of a first set of fibres are arranged so as to provide an alpha num eric display 71 shown in the drawing as the first nine letters of the alphabet by way of illustration only. A second set of fibres ends is arranged as a rectangular border 72 surrounding the alpha numeric characters. Individual fibre ends are shown at 73 with exaggerated spacing so as to indicate that the lines of the rectangular border are in fact made up of a plurality of dots. Similarly, third and fourth sets of fibre ends are divided into groups 74 and 75, each of which has a geometrical shape so as to form a decorative logo.

Fig. 9 illustrates the arrangement of the input ends 84 of optical fibres along the direction 80 of transport of the film 8 and transversely to this direction in groups 81, 82, 83. The film 8 is intended for use in an arrangement of the type shown in Fig. 1 for providing display animation for the display of Fig. 7. The portion of the film shown in Fig. 8 comprises, between perforated strip portions 85, a plurality of regions 86 arranged longitudinally with respect to the direction 80 of transport, and a plurality of regions 87 also arranged longitudinally but with each section of greater length. The various sections may be alternately opaque and transparent, may be differently coloured, or a combination of different colours and opaque sections.

The optical fibres whose input ends are shown at 84 have their output ends arranged as the rectangular border 72. Thus, the colour or intensity changes defined by the regions 86 cause a colour or intensity change to creep around the rectangular border. The optical fibres whose input ends are arranged in groups as shown at 81, 82, and 83 have their output ends arranged as the alpha-numeric characters 71 with each group defining one of the characters. Thus, as the regions 87 moves along, an abrupt colour or intensity change will take place at each character in turn. Similarly arrangements may be provided for the geometrical figures 74 and 75. For instance, the optical fibres defining the figures 75 could have their input ends arranged in parallel rows longitudinally of the film ie along the direction 80 of transport so that a colour change or intensity change would creep simultaneously along both figures 75. The individual parts of the figure 74 could be connected to the respective groups 81, 82, 83, etc to provide abrupt sequential changes of colour or intensity moving in sequence from one part of the figure to the next. Of course, these ar rangements could be reversed or modified as desired.

Various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention. For instance, a display may be provided having both the film loop arrangement shown in Fig. 1 and the cylindrical arrangement shown in Figs. 4 and 5. In fact, any number and combination of such arrangements may be used in order to provide the desired display animation. Also, although the control circuit 23 of Figs. 1 and 3 is shown employing a timer and for controlling the tube 22, many other arrangements are possible. For instance, the control circuit could control other parts of a display or a sound generator of any suitable type. The timer could be replaced by a bistable or similar circuit so that the control circuit would change the on/off state of a controlled device each time a mark passed through the light path.

Claims (13)

1. An animated display comprising a plurality of light guides, each of which has an input end and an output end, and illuminating means for providing variable illumination of the input ends, the output ends being fixed in a predetermined juxtaposition to provide a predetermined display image, each of the input ends facing the illuminating means and being fixed at a predetermined position with respect to the other input ends.

2. A display as claimed in claim 1, in which each light guide comprises an optical fibre made of a flexible light-transmissive material.

3. A display as claimed in claim 1, in which the illuminating means comprises an elongate light source, an endless medium guided along a path between the light source and the input ends and having a plurality of regions of different light-transmissive properties, and means for transporting the medium so that the regions move along the path.

4. A display as claimed in claim 3, in which the regions have different colour transmissive properties.

5. A display as claimed in claim 4, in which the medium comprises exposed and developed photographic transparency film.

6. A display as claimed in claim 3, in which the endless medium comprises an endless loop.

7. A display as claimed in claim 3, in which the endless medium comprises a cylinder and the transporting means is arranged to rotate the cylinder about its axis.

8. A display as claimed in claim 7, in which the light source is disposed along the axis of the cylinder.

9. A display as claimed in claim 1, in which the output ends are fixed in a substantially flat surface and extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface, and the input ends extend in a direction substantially parallel to the surface.

10. A display as claimed in claim 3, including control means for controlling an electrical transducer for detecting passage of a predetermined mark on the medium through a light path and switching means actuated by detection of the mark.

11. A display as claimed in claim 1, in which the output ends are arranged in a regular array and the input ends are arranged in a corresponding array.

12. A method of making an animated display, comprising fixing output ends of a plurality of light guides in a predetermined juxtaposition to provide a predetermined display image, and fixing an input end of each light guide at a predetermined position with respect to the other input ends facing illuminating means for providing variable illumination of the input ends.

13. A method as claimed in claim 12, in which each light guide is individually located at each end.