A non-rectangular light-emitting array, system

Abstract

This utility model discloses a non-rectangular light-emitting array and system. The light-emitting array includes: multiple physical pixel units, each arranged according to a preset non-rectangular pattern, each physical pixel unit including a controller and a light-emitting element connected to the controller; at least one virtual pixel unit, each virtual pixel unit arranged between or around the physical pixel units, each virtual pixel unit including a controller and not emitting light; wherein, the controllers in each physical pixel unit and each virtual pixel unit are sequentially connected in series to form a serial data link, so that each physical pixel unit and each virtual pixel unit constitutes a logically M-row N-column virtual rectangular array, where M and N are integers greater than 1; the data input terminal of at least one controller constitutes the data input terminal in the serial data link connected to an external control unit. Using the above scheme, a light-emitting control scheme for rectangular shapes can be reused, reducing resource waste and labor costs, and shortening the project development cycle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of light-emitting system technology, specifically to a non-rectangular light-emitting array and system. Background Technology

[0002] LED (Light Emitting Diode) display systems have been widely used in advertising media, commercial displays, stage backdrops, architectural lighting, and decorative lighting due to their advantages such as high brightness, low power consumption, long lifespan, and flexible splicing. Traditional LED display systems are typically designed and manufactured as standard rectangular arrays, and their control systems (including hardware controllers and software drivers) are based on a regular two-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system for data processing and pixel addressing. The technology is mature and the solutions are highly standardized.

[0003] However, with the increasing market demand for personalized and artistic display effects, non-rectangular display applications with circular, triangular, trapezoidal, letter-shaped, and even arbitrary irregular shapes are becoming more and more common. Existing control technologies based on standard rectangular logic have encountered bottlenecks in implementing these non-rectangular display systems. The main approach is to develop dedicated control software or firmware for each specific non-rectangular pattern. This software needs to pre-store or calculate in real-time the precise coordinates of each physical light-emitting unit within the irregular boundary, and then project the input standard video or image signal point by point onto the corresponding light-emitting unit through complex coordinate mapping and cropping algorithms.

[0004] However, the current control method lacks versatility. Each new non-rectangular shape requires a completely new and independent software algorithm and driver, resulting in non-reusable development work and significant resource waste. Furthermore, the software development, coordinate mapping, and effect debugging processes for specific shapes are cumbersome and time-consuming, requiring software engineers with specialized algorithmic capabilities to invest considerable effort. This directly leads to extended project development cycles and a significant increase in labor costs. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the aforementioned defects or problems in the background technology and provide a non-rectangular light-emitting array and system that can reuse light-emitting control schemes for rectangular shapes, reduce resource waste and labor costs, and shorten the project development cycle.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] Technical Solution 1: A non-rectangular light-emitting array, comprising: multiple physical pixel units, each physical pixel unit being arranged according to a preset non-rectangular pattern, each physical pixel unit including a controller and a light-emitting element connected to the controller; at least one virtual pixel unit, each virtual pixel unit being arranged between or around the physical pixel units, each virtual pixel unit including a controller and not emitting light; wherein, the controllers in each physical pixel unit and each virtual pixel unit are sequentially connected in series to form a serial data link, so that each physical pixel unit and each virtual pixel unit constitute a logically M-row N-column virtual rectangular array, where M and N are integers greater than 1; the data input terminal of at least one of the controllers constitutes a data input terminal in the serial data link connected to an external control unit.

[0008] Technical Solution 2 based on Technical Solution 1: The physical pixel unit is composed of a light-emitting module with a controller and a light-emitting element, and the virtual pixel unit is composed of a non-light-emitting module with only a controller; the light-emitting module and the non-light-emitting module are physically independent of each other.

[0009] Technical solution three based on technical solution two: The non-light-emitting module is formed by removing the light-emitting element from the light-emitting module.

[0010] Technical Solution 4 based on Technical Solution 1: The physical pixel unit and the virtual pixel unit are both composed of light-emitting modules with controllers and light-emitting elements; each light-emitting module is physically independent of the others, and each light-emitting module is provided with a mode switch, which is used to control the circuit connection and disconnection between the controller and the light-emitting element in the light-emitting module.

[0011] Technical solution five based on technical solution four: The mode switch is a DIP switch or a jumper cap.

[0012] Technical Solution Six based on Technical Solution One: The number of rows M of the virtual rectangular array is the maximum number of pixel units of the non-rectangular pattern in the first direction, and the number of columns N of the virtual rectangular array is the maximum number of pixel units of the non-rectangular pattern in the second direction; the first direction and the second direction are orthogonally set.

[0013] Technical solution seven based on technical solution one: The serial data link adopts a serpentine wiring structure in the virtual rectangular array.

[0014] Technical solution eight based on technical solution one: The controller is a serial cascaded control chip with built-in data input and data output terminals.

[0015] In addition, this utility model also provides a ninth technical solution: a non-rectangular light-emitting system, which includes a non-rectangular light-emitting array as described in any one of technical solutions one to eight; and a control unit, the control unit being adapted to output display data for the rectangular array and connected to the data input terminal of the serial data link of the non-rectangular light-emitting array.

[0016] As can be seen from the above description of this utility model, compared with the prior art, this utility model has the following beneficial effects:

[0017] Technical Solution 1 provides a non-rectangular light-emitting array. This solution improves the problems of complex control logic and the need for customized software development faced by existing technologies when driving non-rectangular light-emitting systems by establishing a system architecture that can seamlessly connect irregular physical hardware layout with standardized data processing logic.

[0018] First, the foundation of this technical solution lies in the arrangement of physical pixel units. These units, comprising controllers and light-emitting elements, are the basic units for achieving the final visual presentation. They are arranged in physical space according to a preset, arbitrary non-rectangular pattern, which directly determines the shape of the light-emitting array ultimately presented to the observer. Without the intervention of other technical means, such an irregular set of pixels cannot be directly recognized and driven by a control unit suitable for processing standard M-row N-column matrix data. The control unit cannot know which specific coordinate in physical space the data packets in the data stream should be sent to, which leads to the reliance on complex software mapping algorithms customized for each shape in existing technologies.

[0019] To address this issue, this solution incorporates virtual pixel units within the luminescent array. These virtual pixel units include controllers but do not emit light, and are positioned in the empty spaces between or around physical pixel units. From a data processing perspective, the controller of a virtual pixel unit is functionally equivalent to that of a physical pixel unit in receiving and forwarding data; therefore, it is an effective node on the data link. However, from a visual perspective, due to its non-luminescent nature, it is physically invisible. This allows the virtual pixel unit to act as a logical placeholder, logically cooperating with physical pixel units rather than physically to form a rectangular array. For example, for a trapezoidal array with 5 physical pixel units in the top row and 9 in the bottom row, filling each side of the top row with 2 virtual pixel units increases the number of data nodes in the top row to 9, matching the bottom row. By filling all rows of varying lengths in this way, the originally physically irregular pixel array is reconstructed into a complete, standard M-row, N-column virtual rectangular array at a purely logical level composed of controller nodes.

[0020] Building upon this, a serial data link is used to connect all controllers in the virtual rectangular array, whether physical or virtual, one after another in a predetermined order. Based on the fundamental physical principles of serial communication, data signals are transmitted along this single link from one controller to the next, following the order of their physical connections. This order corresponds one-to-one with the data's position in the logic matrix. When a control unit sends data to the array, it no longer needs to concern itself with the physical coordinates of each pixel; it only needs to generate a standard, complete data frame containing information for M×N pixels and send it from the data input end of the serial data link. It should be noted that this scheme is not a simple, isolated application of serial data link technology, but rather a creative combination of the inherent timing characteristics of the serial data link with the aforementioned physical layout. By connecting physical and virtual pixel units in a single link using the serial data link, the one-dimensional timing characteristic of the serial data link is utilized to reduce the complex two-dimensional physical layout problem to a one-dimensional linear sequence problem. In this sequence, the identity of each pixel unit is uniquely determined by its order in the queue, without the need to set a complex two-dimensional address, thus eliminating the need for complex software algorithms to map coordinates.

[0021] A frame of display data corresponding to a complete rectangle of M×N pixels is sent to the serial data link by an external control unit. Each data packet in the data stream implicitly contains a logical coordinate within the rectangular array. Each controller on the link, whether belonging to a physical unit or a virtual unit, strictly follows the serial protocol, receiving and processing the pixel data corresponding to its own position in the logical rectangular array from the head of the data stream. After receiving the data, the controller of the physical pixel unit drives its connected light-emitting element to display the corresponding color and brightness. However, after completing the same data reception and processing, the controller of the virtual pixel unit, since it does not have a connected light-emitting element, actually consumes this data locally. After completing data processing, each controller completely passes the remaining part of the data stream to the next unit in the data link.

[0022] Therefore, at the hardware level, this technical solution provides an external control unit designed for standard rectangular arrays with a data receiving interface that behaves entirely identically to a real rectangular array. The external control unit does not need to perform any complex coordinate mapping, boundary judgment, or data clipping algorithms, nor does it need to know in advance the physical shape of the terminal it is driving. The control unit only needs to generate and output a standard M×N rectangular array data frame using the most conventional and mature method. Thus, this technical solution achieves the universality of the control scheme, allowing the control unit and software developed for standard rectangles to be directly reused, eliminating the need for customized programming for each shape. Secondly, it greatly simplifies the system development process; the project implementation is simplified to modular hardware assembly, significantly shortening the development cycle. Finally, since it eliminates the need for software engineers with specialized algorithm capabilities for customized development, it also reduces project development costs and the technical application threshold.

[0023] In technical solution two, the physical pixel unit and the virtual pixel unit are defined as being composed of two structurally independent light-emitting modules and non-light-emitting modules, which can realize the modular arrangement and manufacturing of the light-emitting array, and is conducive to large-scale production and rapid deployment.

[0024] In technical solution three, the non-light-emitting module is further defined as being composed of a light-emitting module with the light-emitting element removed. This means that two core modules with different functions can share the same circuit board design and materials. In industrial production, this can directly reduce mold-making and design costs, simplify supply chain and inventory management, and facilitate product installation, maintenance, and replacement, while reducing the complexity and cost of after-sales service.

[0025] In technical solution four, a standardized hardware module with a mode switch is used to simultaneously implement both physical and virtual pixel units, further enhancing the flexibility and integration of the light-emitting array's layout and production. During production, only one standardized module needs to be manufactured; its function can be switched by toggling the mode switch, maximizing economies of scale, effectively reducing production costs, and improving production efficiency, quality control, and inventory turnover. Furthermore, during on-site construction, there is no need to distinguish between different materials. Construction personnel can determine whether a module functions as a physical or virtual pixel unit based on the design requirements of the installation location by toggling the mode switch, greatly simplifying construction and reducing the probability of installation errors. Even if errors occur, they can be easily corrected. This can save significant time and labor costs for large, complex, irregularly shaped display projects.

[0026] In technical solution five, the mode switch is further limited to a DIP switch or a jumper cap. These two types of switches are mature, reliable and low-cost industrial components in the field, ensuring the stability and economy of the solution.

[0027] In technical solution six, by explicitly defining the dimensions M and N of the virtual rectangular array as determined by the maximum number of pixel units in the two orthogonal directions of the non-rectangular pattern, efficient utilization of system resources is achieved. This "minimum bounding rectangle" design ensures that the constructed virtual rectangular array is the smallest possible size capable of encompassing the entire non-rectangular pattern, avoiding hardware resource waste and data transmission bandwidth redundancy caused by arbitrary or excessively large logical array definitions, thus achieving a balance between hardware cost and system operating efficiency.

[0028] In technical solution seven, the physical arrangement of the serial data link is specified as a serpentine routing structure. For a two-dimensional array, serpentine routing is one of the optimal paths to achieve sequential traversal of all cells by a single data line. This routing method has a clear path, simple logic, and is easy to design and manufacture using automated routing software. It ensures that the physical transmission order of data in the two-dimensional array is predictable and regular, guaranteeing the stability of signal timing and the reliable operation of the system.

[0029] In technical solution eight, the controller is defined as a serially cascaded control chip with built-in data input and output terminals. Its internal structure ensures that data can be accurately received, processed, and forwarded to the next chip. By specifying this particular chip type, the stability and reliability of the entire data link are ensured, and the physical connection interface of the light-emitting array is clearly defined.

[0030] Technical solution nine provides a non-rectangular light-emitting system, which includes the aforementioned non-rectangular light-emitting array and control unit. Although the control unit is suitable for outputting display data for rectangular arrays, through the aforementioned special design for non-rectangular light-emitting arrays, the control unit can also be used for light-emitting control of non-rectangular light-emitting arrays. Therefore, the built-in programs of the control unit can be reused, greatly reducing construction costs and improving construction efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0031] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model, the drawings used in the following description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0032] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the non-rectangular light-emitting array involved in Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0033] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the light-emitting module and non-light-emitting module in the non-rectangular light-emitting array according to Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0034] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the light-emitting module involved in Embodiment 2 of this utility model.

[0035] Explanation of key figure labels:

[0036] Non-rectangular light-emitting system 100;

[0037] 10. Non-rectangular light-emitting array; 11. Physical pixel unit; 12. Virtual pixel unit; 13. Serial data link;

[0038] Control unit 20;

[0039] Light-emitting module 31; Non-light-emitting module 32;

[0040] Controller 41; Light-emitting element 42; Mode switch 43. Detailed Implementation

[0041] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are preferred embodiments of the present utility model and should not be considered as excluding other embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present utility model without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present utility model.

[0042] Unless otherwise expressly defined, the use of terms such as "first," "second," or "third" in the claims, description, and drawings of this utility model is for distinguishing different objects and not for describing a specific order.

[0043] Unless otherwise expressly defined, in the claims, description, and accompanying drawings of this utility model, the use of directional terms such as "center," "lateral," "longitudinal," "horizontal," "vertical," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "clockwise," and "counterclockwise" to indicate orientation or positional relationships is based on the orientation and positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and is only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description. It does not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as limiting the specific protection scope of this utility model.

[0044] Unless otherwise expressly defined, the terms "fixed connection" or "fixed connection" used in the claims, description and drawings of this utility model shall be interpreted broadly to refer to any connection in which there is no displacement or relative rotation relationship between the two parties, including non-removable fixed connection, detachable fixed connection, integral connection and fixed connection through other devices or components.

[0045] In the claims, description and accompanying drawings of this utility model, the terms "comprising", "having", and variations thereof are used to mean "including but not limited to".

[0046] Furthermore, to facilitate understanding of this utility model, the core terms used in the specification and claims are defined here first:

[0047] Non-rectangular light-emitting array: refers to a display or lighting device composed of multiple light-emitting points whose overall physical outline is not rectangular. The "non-rectangular" refers to the fact that it is not rectangular, as opposed to the traditional standard rectangular screen. It can be circular, triangular, letter-shaped, heart-shaped, or any irregular shape.

[0048] Physical pixel unit: refers to the smallest basic unit that constitutes the final visible light-emitting pattern in this utility model. Structurally, it must include a controller and a light-emitting element that is electrically connected to the controller.

[0049] Virtual pixel unit: In this invention, it refers to the smallest basic unit used to logically fill the empty positions of the non-rectangular pattern formed by physical pixel units, so as to form a regular rectangular array. Structurally, it must contain a controller with the same function as the controller in the physical pixel unit, but it does not emit light in its working state. This non-emitting state can be achieved in two ways: one is that its structure itself does not contain a light-emitting element; the other is that although its structure contains a light-emitting element, the driving circuit of the light-emitting element is artificially disconnected.

[0050] Controller: Refers to an electronic chip or circuit module capable of receiving, processing, and forwarding serial data. In this invention, it serves as the core of each physical pixel unit and virtual pixel unit, responsible for identifying and receiving data corresponding to its own logical position from the serial data link, and passing the remaining data to the next controller.

[0051] Control unit: refers to a separate device located outside the non-rectangular light-emitting array, whose function is to generate and send display data. In this utility model, the control unit specifically refers to a device suitable for driving a standard rectangular array, which outputs complete rectangular data frames without any algorithmic processing for non-rectangular shapes.

[0052] Light-emitting module: refers to a physically independent, standardized hardware module that integrates at least a controller and a light-emitting element, and can be used as a complete physical pixel unit.

[0053] Non-light-emitting module: refers to a physically independent, standardized hardware module that integrates at least a controller but does not have a functional light-emitting element, and can be used as a complete virtual pixel unit.

[0054] Mode switch: refers to a switching element installed on a standardized light-emitting module that can be manually or electrically controlled. Its function is to selectively connect or disconnect the drive circuit between the internal controller and the light-emitting element of the module, thereby determining whether the module works as a physical pixel unit (circuit connected) or as a virtual pixel unit (circuit disconnected).

[0055] Light-emitting element: refers to an electronic component capable of converting electrical energy into visible light. In this invention, it may specifically be one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which receive drive signals from a controller to emit light of a specific color and brightness.

[0056] Serial data link: refers to a data transmission path that connects multiple controllers sequentially in a preset order. In this invention, it forms a single, continuous electrical connection path, along which data signals are transmitted from one controller to the next.

[0057] Virtual rectangular array: refers to a regular rectangular grid with M rows and N columns, formed by physical pixel units and virtual pixel units at the logical level. This array is the basis for the control unit to perform data addressing and transmission. It may be physically incomplete or irregular, but logically it appears as a complete rectangle.

[0058] Snake-shaped routing structure: refers to the physical routing method in a two-dimensional array where serial data links are physically routed in an alternating reverse path. For example, the data stream is passed from left to right along the first row, then from the end of the first row to the end of the second row, and then from right to left along the second row, and so on, alternating in an "S" or "Z" shape to ensure that all logical locations are traversed sequentially.

[0059] Serial cascaded control chip: refers to a specific type of controller that integrates data latching, drive control, and signal regeneration functions. Its typical characteristics include a data input terminal (DIN) and a data output terminal (DOUT). It can receive serial data from upstream, process its own data, and then pass the shaped and amplified remaining data signal from the output terminal to the next downstream chip.

[0060] Example 1

[0061] Reference Figure 1This utility model relates to a non-rectangular light-emitting system 100, which mainly includes a non-rectangular light-emitting array 10 and a control unit 20. This non-rectangular light-emitting system 100 can be applied to conventional lighting products consisting of a backlight module and a lamp film covering the backlight module, wherein the backlight module emits light towards the lamp film, and the lamp film acts as a lampshade to diffuse the light emitted by the backlight module. Of course, in other embodiments, this rectangular light-emitting system can be used in other lighting products, such as billboards, stage backdrops, or building facade decorations.

[0062] In this embodiment, the non-rectangular light-emitting array 10 includes:

[0063] Multiple physical pixel units 11 are arranged according to a preset non-rectangular pattern. Each physical pixel unit 11 includes a controller 41 and a light-emitting element 42 connected to the controller 41. At least one virtual pixel unit 12 is arranged between or around the physical pixel units 11. Each virtual pixel unit 12 includes a controller 41 and does not emit light. The controllers 41 in each physical pixel unit 11 and each virtual pixel unit 12 are sequentially connected in series to form a serial data link 13, so that each physical pixel unit 11 and each virtual pixel unit 12 constitutes a logically M-row N-column virtual rectangular array, where M and N are integers greater than 1. The serial data link 13 has at least one data input terminal for connecting to an external control unit 20.

[0064] Specifically, both physical pixel units 11 and virtual pixel units 12 can be fabricated on independent substrates, such as rigid printed circuit boards (PCBs) or flexible printed circuit boards (FPCs). These independent units are mounted on a larger support structure, such as a metal backplate or frame. The virtual pixel units 12 fill the inner and outer gaps of the non-rectangular pattern formed by the physical pixel units 11, thus forming a complete rectangle of M rows and N columns at the logical level composed of the controller nodes 41. When the control unit 20 sends data, it sends a complete frame of data containing information of M×N pixels, and the data stream is transmitted sequentially along the serial data link 13. Each controller 41, regardless of whether it belongs to a physical pixel unit 11 or a virtual pixel unit 12, receives and consumes the data packet corresponding to its position in the logical rectangular array from the data stream, and then passes the remaining data stream to the next controller 41.

[0065] Reference Figure 1 As a specific implementation method, the non-rectangular pattern can be a trapezoid that is narrower at the top and wider at the bottom, such as... Figure 1The portion enclosed by the dotted line is arranged in a first direction (e.g., horizontal) and a second direction (e.g., vertical). This trapezoidal array consists of three rows of pixel units: the first row contains 5 physical pixel units 1111, the second row contains 7 physical pixel units 1111, and the third row contains 9 physical pixel units 1111. To form a logically complete rectangular array, virtual pixel units 1212 are used to fill the gaps in the shorter rows, for example... Figure 1 The part outside the dotted lines. Specifically, two virtual pixel units 1212 are arranged on each side of the five physical pixel units 1111 in the first row, bringing the total number of units to nine; one virtual pixel unit 1212 is arranged on each side of the seven physical pixel units 1111 in the second row, also bringing the total number of units to nine. Thus, the entire array logically forms a complete 3x9 virtual rectangular array. The controllers 4141 of all units are connected serially via serial data link 1313, following a serpentine wiring path from the first unit to the last unit in the first row, then from the last unit to the first unit in the second row, and finally from the first unit to the last unit in the third row.

[0066] Among them, reference Figure 2 The physical pixel unit 11 is composed of a light-emitting module 31 having a controller 41 and a light-emitting element 42, while the virtual pixel unit 12 is composed of a non-light-emitting module 3231 having only a controller 41. The light-emitting module 31 and the non-light-emitting module 3231 are physically independent of each other. Specifically, both the light-emitting module 31 and the non-light-emitting module 3231 can be designed as independent physical modules with standard dimensions and standard interfaces. For example, both can be fabricated on a PCB substrate with a size of 30mm × 30mm. The substrate of the light-emitting module 31 is equipped with the controller 41, several peripheral components such as filter capacitors, and the light-emitting element 42. The substrate of the non-light-emitting module 3231 is equipped only with the controller 41 and its necessary peripheral components. Both modules are provided with input and output connectors for serial data link 13 connection, as well as power connectors for power supply. This modular design standardizes the production and assembly process, facilitating the rapid construction of arrays of arbitrary shapes.

[0067] In a preferred embodiment, the non-light-emitting module 3231 is formed by removing the light-emitting element 42 from the light-emitting module 31. Specifically, this embodiment offers significant cost and efficiency advantages in manufacturing. During the design phase, only a single, universal circuit board layout needs to be designed, which includes pads for both the controller 41 and the light-emitting element 42 and their driving circuitry. During production, the same set of bare PCB boards is used. When manufacturing the light-emitting module 31, all components are fully mounted during the surface mount technology (SMT) process. When manufacturing the non-light-emitting module 3231, only the pick-and-place machine program or bill of materials (BOM) needs to be modified, omitting the light-emitting element 42 and its associated current-limiting resistors during the mounting process. This ensures complete compatibility of the two modules in terms of size, interface, and electrical characteristics, while minimizing design, mold making, and material management costs.

[0068] Wherein, the number of rows M of the virtual rectangular array is the maximum number of pixel units of the non-rectangular pattern in the first direction, and the number of columns N of the virtual rectangular array is the maximum number of pixel units of the non-rectangular pattern in the second direction; the first direction and the second direction are orthogonally arranged. Specifically, for example, if a preset non-rectangular pattern is a heart shape, its widest point in the vertical direction (first direction) occupies a height of 18 pixel units, and its widest point in the horizontal direction (second direction) occupies a width of 20 pixel units, then the size of the virtual rectangular array is determined to be M=18, N=20. During construction, it will be laid out according to an 18-row, 20-column grid, and all grid points outside the heart-shaped pattern are filled with virtual pixel units 12. In this embodiment, referring to... Figure 1 In the layout of the physical pixel unit 11 shown, M is determined to be 3 and N is determined to be 9.

[0069] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the serial data link 13 employs a serpentine wiring structure within the virtual rectangular array. Specifically, as shown... Figure 1 As shown, in a 3x9 virtual rectangular array, the physical connection path of the serial data link 13 can be implemented as follows: Data is output from the control unit 20, first entering the input terminal of the leftmost unit in the first row, and then sequentially connecting to the rightmost unit in the same row; the output terminal of this unit is then connected to the input terminal of the rightmost unit in the second row, and the data is sequentially transmitted to the left along the second row; the output terminal of the leftmost unit in the second row is then connected to the input terminal of the leftmost unit in the third row, and the data is finally transmitted to the right along the third row. This S-shaped connection path ensures that all units are traversed sequentially. The physical connection between modules can be achieved using short flexible flat cables (FFC) or board-to-board connectors.

[0070] Furthermore, controller 41 is a serially cascaded control chip with built-in data input and data output terminals; the data input terminal of at least one of the controllers 41 constitutes the data input terminal in the serial data link 13 connected to the external control unit 20. Specifically, the controller 41 in this embodiment can be a programmable serial control chip commonly used in the art, such as the WS2812 series or SK6812 series chips. These chips are usually integrated in a package and have data input (DIN) and data output (DOUT) pins. Its working principle is as follows: serial data is received from the DIN pin, the first 24 bits (or more) of data are latched to drive its own light-emitting element 42, and then the remaining data is internally shaped and clocked, and then output from the DOUT pin to the DIN pin of the next chip. This step-by-step regeneration mechanism ensures that the signal remains stable after long-distance chain transmission. The data input terminal of the entire non-rectangular light-emitting array 10 is the DIN pin of the first controller 41 in the serial data link 13.

[0071] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control unit 20 is specifically a device capable of outputting a serial data protocol compatible with the controller 41. It can be a dedicated LED controller 41, a general-purpose microcontroller 41 (MCU) such as Arduino or ESP32, a single-board computer such as a Raspberry Pi, or a personal computer with a specific interface card. Its core function is to generate a data frame conforming to an M×N rectangular array data structure and send it out in the correct timing, regardless of the actual physical shape of the array.

[0072] Example 2

[0073] This utility model embodiment two is based on embodiment one, and the difference between the two is that the actual composition of the physical pixel unit 11 and the virtual pixel unit 12 is different.

[0074] Reference Figure 3Both the physical pixel unit 11 and the virtual pixel unit 12 are composed of light-emitting modules 31 with a controller 41 and a light-emitting element 42. Each light-emitting module 31 is physically independent, and each light-emitting module 31 is equipped with a mode switch 43. The mode switch 43 is used to control the circuit connection between the controller 41 and the light-emitting element 42 in the light-emitting module 31. Specifically, this embodiment uses only one standardized light-emitting module 31. In the circuit design of this module, a mode switch 43 is connected in series between the drive signal output pin of the controller 41 and the data input pin of the light-emitting element 42. When a module is needed as a physical pixel unit 11, its mode switch 43 is closed, and the drive signal from the controller 41 can reach the light-emitting element 42 normally. When a module is needed as a virtual pixel unit 12, its mode switch 43 is open, and the drive signal path is cut off. Even if the controller 41 works normally and outputs a signal, the light-emitting element 42 cannot receive the signal, thus achieving no light emission. Regardless of the switch's state, the controller 41 itself and its data reception and forwarding functions in the serial data link 13 are unaffected.

[0075] Preferably, the mode switch 43 is a DIP switch or a jumper cap. Specifically, a DIP switch is a small, manually configurable switch array mounted on a circuit board, which can be switched on or off using a small lever. A jumper cap is a pluggable metal connector that connects or disconnects the circuit by plugging it into a pre-set pair of pins on the circuit board or removing it. Both of these components are inexpensive, reliable, and intuitive to operate, making them ideal for one-time mode configuration during product assembly. In more advanced implementations, the mode switch 43 can also be an electronic switch controlled by a specific configuration signal, such as an analog switch chip or a transistor.

[0076] Example 3

[0077] Embodiment 3 of this utility model relates to a method for constructing a non-rectangular light-emitting system 100. The light-emitting system is adapted to be controlled by a control unit 20, which is adapted to output display data for rectangular arrangement. The construction method includes the following steps:

[0078] S10: Provide a plurality of physical pixel units 11 and at least one virtual pixel unit 12, wherein the physical pixel unit 11 includes a controller 41 and a light-emitting element 42 connected to the controller 41, and the virtual pixel unit 12 includes a controller 41 but does not emit light;

[0079] S20: Arrange the plurality of physical pixel units 11 so that they are arranged according to a preset non-rectangular pattern;

[0080] S30: Fill the at least one virtual pixel unit 12 between or around the plurality of physical pixel units 11, so as to form a logically M-row N-column virtual rectangular array together with the physical pixel units 11, where M and N are integers greater than 1;

[0081] S40: Connect the controllers 41 in each of the physical pixel units 11 and each of the virtual pixel units 12 to form a serial data link 13 in sequence.

[0082] S50: Connect the data input terminal of the serial data link 13 to the control unit 20.

[0083] Specifically, the detailed execution process of this construction method is as follows: First, in step S10, the required number of pixel unit modules are prepared according to the method of Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2. Second, in step S20, according to the design drawings, the physical pixel units 11 are fixed one by one to a support substrate, precisely arranging a preset non-rectangular pattern, such as a company logo shape. Third, in step S30, the dimensions M and N of the virtual rectangular array are determined according to the circumscribed rectangle of the logo shape. Then, the virtual pixel units 12 are installed on all grid points not occupied by the physical pixel units 11, completing the physical construction of the rectangular array. Subsequently, in step S40, electrical connections are made. Using prefabricated connecting cables or connectors, the data output terminal of the previous module is connected to the data input terminal of the next module according to the serpentine wiring rule until all modules are connected in series. At the same time, the power supply and ground terminals of all modules are connected in parallel to the power supply bus. Finally, in step S50, the starting data input terminal of the entire array is connected to the data output port of the control unit 20, and the power supply is connected to the power supply system. At this point, the entire non-rectangular light-emitting system 100 is complete and ready for power-on testing.

[0084] In step S30, a preferred method for determining the values ​​of M and N is to place the preset non-rectangular pattern in a two-dimensional coordinate system, find the maximum coordinate range of all physical pixel units 11 in the first direction (e.g., the X-axis) and the maximum coordinate range in the second direction (e.g., the Y-axis, orthogonal to the X-axis), thereby determining a minimum bounding rectangle that can completely cover the pattern. The number of rows and columns of this rectangle are M and N. This method ensures that the constructed virtual rectangular array is the most efficient and avoids unnecessary resource waste.

[0085] Furthermore, in step S40, the preferred method for connecting all controllers 41 is to employ a serpentine wiring structure. That is, the data flow enters from the first unit of the first row, flows sequentially through all units of the first row, then connects from the last unit of the first row to the last unit of the second row, then flows in reverse through all units of the second row, then connects from the first unit of the second row to the first unit of the third row, and so on, alternating in an "S" shape until all M×N logical locations have been traversed. This wiring method provides a clear path, simple logic, and is easy to automate design and production. It ensures that the physical transmission order of data in the two-dimensional array is predictable and regular, thereby ensuring the stability of signal timing and the reliable operation of the system.

[0086] The foregoing description of the specifications and embodiments is intended to explain the scope of protection of this utility model, but does not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this utility model. Modifications, equivalent substitutions, or other improvements to the embodiments of this utility model or a portion thereof that can be obtained by those skilled in the art through logical analysis, reasoning, or limited experimentation, based on the teachings of this utility model or the foregoing embodiments, should all be included within the scope of protection of this utility model.

Claims

1. A non-rectangular light emitting array, characterized in that, include: Multiple physical pixel units (11) are arranged according to a preset non-rectangular pattern. Each physical pixel unit (11) includes a controller (41) and a light-emitting element (42) connected to the controller (41). At least one virtual pixel unit (12) is arranged between or around each of the physical pixel units (11), and the virtual pixel unit (12) includes a controller (41) and does not emit light; The controllers (41) in each physical pixel unit (11) and each virtual pixel unit (12) are sequentially connected in series to form a serial data link (13), so that each physical pixel unit (11) and each virtual pixel unit (12) constitutes a virtual rectangular array with logically M rows and N columns, where M and N are integers greater than 1. At least one of the controllers (41) has a data input terminal that forms the data input terminal in the serial data link (13) that is connected to the external control unit (20).

2. A non-rectangular light emitting array as described in claim 1, wherein, The physical pixel unit (11) is composed of a light-emitting module (31) having a controller (41) and a light-emitting element (42), and the virtual pixel unit (12) is composed of a non-light-emitting module (32)(31) having only a controller (41); the light-emitting module (31) and the non-light-emitting module (32)(31) are physically independent of each other.

3. A non-rectangular light emitting array as described in claim 2, wherein, The non-light-emitting modules (32) and (31) are formed by removing the light-emitting element (42) from the light-emitting module (31).

4. A non-rectangular light emitting array as described in claim 1, wherein, The physical pixel unit (11) and the virtual pixel unit (12) are both composed of a light-emitting module (31) with a controller (41) and a light-emitting element (42); each of the light-emitting modules (31) is physically independent of each other, and the light-emitting module (31) is provided with a mode switch (43), which is used to control the circuit connection and disconnection between the controller (41) and the light-emitting element (42) in the light-emitting module (31).

5. A non-rectangular light array as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that The mode switch (43) is a DIP switch or a jumper cap.

6. A non-rectangular light array as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that The number of rows M of the virtual rectangular array is the maximum number of pixel units of the non-rectangular pattern in the first direction, and the number of columns N of the virtual rectangular array is the maximum number of pixel units of the non-rectangular pattern in the second direction; the first direction and the second direction are orthogonally arranged.

7. A non-rectangular light emitting array as described in claim 1, wherein, The serial data link (13) adopts a serpentine wiring structure in the virtual rectangular array.

8. A non-rectangular light-emitting array as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The controller (41) is a serial cascaded control chip with built-in data input and data output terminals.

9. A non-rectangular light emitting system characterized in that, Includes a non-rectangular light-emitting array (10) as described in any one of claims 1-8; and a control unit (20) adapted to output display data for the rectangular array and connected to the data input terminal of the serial data link (13) of the non-rectangular light-emitting array.

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