screen

Abstract

Screen (1) configured for use in outdoor or semi-outdoor environments comprising: - a plurality of light elements (4) configured to emit light radiation so as to display and / or project an image, - a controller (6) configured to control the activation and deactivation of said light elements, said light elements (4) being associated with said controller (6), and characterized by the fact that it includes - a protective layer (8), preferably made of glass, positioned between said light elements (4) and a user, - an adhesive layer (10) configured to permit adhesion of said protective layer (8) to said controller (6).

Description

[0001] SCREEN

[0002] The present invention relates to a screen, specifically a screen configured for use in outdoor or semi-outdoor environments. "Outdoor" environments hereinafter mean environments in which the screen is exposed to sunlight most of the time, such as in a public square or any other uncovered space, while "semi-outdoor" environments mean environments with high ambient brightness, but in which the screen is generally not directly exposed to sunlight, such as under a canopy or near a window. There is a recognized need for screens that can be used in outdoor or semi-outdoor solutions, i.e. , in applications where the screen is exposed, at least partially or for at least some periods of the day, to direct sunlight. This need arises particularly in the transportation sector, where these screens can be used to display user communications, advertising messages, or any other type of image.

[0003] These applications generally require large screens, so that the images displayed and / or projected by them are visible to a user located at a distance ranging from a few meters to several meters.

[0004] Furthermore, exposure to sunlight requires screens designed for these applications to be very bright (>6000cd) to overcome the strong ambient light provided by the sun on sunny days. They must also be designed to withstand the high temperatures that can develop when the screen is exposed to sunlight for extended periods, in addition to the heat generated by the screen itself.

[0005] A well-known solution involves the use of liquid crystal displays, which have high contrast under ambient lighting conditions.

[0006] However, this solution is not fully satisfactory as for large screens (>90 inches) they are expensive and complicated to produce.

[0007] An alternative solution involves the use of LED screens, which however have the disadvantage of being highly reflective, and this is accentuated in the case of installations in outdoor or semi-outdoor environments.

[0008] Additionally, outdoor displays positioned in user-accessible locations, such as those at eye level, require additional protection against vandalism or accidental damage. This is typically addressed by adding a protective layer between a potential userand the active component — i.e., the component containing the LEDs and / or liquid crystals — of the display. However, this solution presents drawbacks, as the additional layer makes it more difficult to dissipate the heat generated by the display, thus requiring more powerful and expensive cooling systems.

[0009] The state of the art also includes documents WO 2023 / 244694, CN 115 602 071 , CN 215 814 959 and US 11 545 602 .

[0010] The aim of the invention is to propose a screen that overcomes the drawbacks of known solutions.

[0011] Another aim of the invention is to propose a screen that can be used in outdoor or semi-outdoor environments.

[0012] Another aim of the invention is to propose a screen that presents a high contrast. Another aim of the invention is to propose a screen that has a high resolution.

[0013] Another aim of the invention is to propose a screen that can display and / or project high quality images.

[0014] Another aim of the invention is to propose a screen that is resistant.

[0015] Another aim of the invention is to propose a screen that is protected from vandalism or accidental impacts.

[0016] Another aim of the invention is to propose a screen that has a high viewing angle. Another aim of the invention is to propose a screen that allows energy consumption to be limited.

[0017] Another aim of the invention is to propose a screen that

[0018] All these purposes, and others which will clearly result from the description, are achieved by means of a screen having the characteristics described in claim 1 .

[0019] Other structural and functional features of the present invention and the related advantages compared to the known art will become even clearer and more evident from an examination of the following description, referring to an exemplary and preferred, but not limiting, embodiment of the screen which is the object of the present invention, and from the attached drawings, where:

[0020] Figure 1 shows a front view of a screen according to the invention,

[0021] Figure 2 shows a front perspective view of a tile of a screen according to the invention,

[0022] Figure 3 shows a detail of Figure 2,

[0023] Figure 4 shows a detail of a section of a screen according to the invention, and

[0024] Figure 5 shows a UV-Vis absorption spectrum of the material used for the adhesive layer.

[0025] Hereinafter, the Z direction is defined as the direction perpendicular to the plane defined by the screen, with X and Y respectively being the two directions, preferably perpendicular, that define the plane on which the screen itself lies. The positive direction of the Z axis is the direction from which the image displayed on the screen is intended to be viewed - i.e., the direction in which a user of the screen itself is positioned.

[0026] As is clearly shown in the figures, the screen 1 according to the invention comprises a plurality of tiles 2. Advantageously, each tile 2 can be configured to project and / or display an image or part of an image. Suitably, for this purpose, each tile 2 can comprise a plurality of light elements, for example a plurality of light elements 4, preferably arranged in an ordered matrix. Preferably, said light elements 4 can be LEDs. Preferably, said light elements 4 can comprise mini LEDs, or, more preferably, micro LEDs. Suitably, the screen 1 can comprise a number of light elements suitable for achieving high brightness, for example, suitable for achieving a brightness of approximately 6000 cd.

[0027] Advantageously, each tile can have a substantially laminar shape, that is, have an extension along the Z axis that is substantially smaller than the extensions along the X and Y axes. In particular, each tile can have a substantially parallelepiped shape, and more specifically a rectangular-based parallelepiped . Advantageously, the edges of tile 2 facing the user can be rounded.

[0028] Suitably, each tile 2 may comprise a controller 6 configured to control its operation and, in particular, to control the switching on and off of said light elements. In one embodiment, the controller 6 may also be configured to control the color of the light emitted by said light elements 4. In particular, the controller 4 may be a PCB. Advantageously, the upper surface of the controller 4 may have a dark color and / or a rigid texture.

[0029] Suitably, the light elements 4 can be directly associated with the controller 6, for example using Surface- Mounted Device (SMD) technology, or preferably using Flip-Chip technology. In particular, in this way, the screen 1 can have an Ultra High Definition (UHD) or 4K resolution . Preferably, the light elements 4 need not have a dedicated encapsulation layer for each of the light elements themselves.

[0030] 4 light elements may not have a polarizer.

[0031] Advantageously, each tile 4 may include a protective layer 8, configured to protect the other components of the tile 4. Conveniently, said protective layer may be made of a substantially transparent material, for example, it may be made of glass, or of transparent polymers. Conveniently, the protective layer 8 may be made of transparent and / or ultra-clear glass. Advantageously, if it is made of glass, the protective layer 8 may be subjected to suitable chemical and / or thermal tempering processes. Conveniently, the protective layer 8 may be glued to the controller 6 using a suitable adhesive layer 10. Advantageously, said adhesive layer 10 may substantially surround and / or enclose the light elements 4. In particular, therefore, there need never be direct contact between the protective layer 8 and the light elements 4.

[0032] Preferably, the adhesive layer 10 can be at least partially transparent, meaning it can allow the passage of light radiation uniformly across all visible wavelengths. Preferably, the assembly consisting of the adhesive layer 10 and the protective layer 8 — i.e., the assembly of layers placed between the light elements and the user — can be configured to absorb an amount between approximately 10 and approximately 50%, and preferably between approximately 25 and approximately 45%, and more preferably between 30 and 40% of the light intensity in a substantially uniform manner across all visible wavelengths. Advantageously, in this way, it is possible to greatly reduce the amount of reflected light, particularly from LEDs, helping to improve contrast, and in particular the depth of black. This is because the light rays coming from the environment are attenuated both at the incoming and outgoing points, while those emitted by the LEDs are attenuated only once. Advantageously, the material composing the adhesive layer can have an absorption difference of less than 10%, and preferably less than 5%, between 400 nm and 800 nm . In a preferred embodiment illustrated in Fig. 5, the material composing the adhesive layer 10 can have high absorption in the UV range. In an alternative embodiment, it can have absorption in the UV range substantially similar to that in the visible range. Preferably, the adhesive layer 10 can have a refractive index similar to that of the protective layer 8, in order to reduce reflections. In particular, the refractive index can have a difference of less than 7%, and more preferably less than 5%, compared to that of the protective layer 8. Suitably, the adhesive layer 10 can be made of a polyurethane resin. Alternatively, it can be made of a silicone material. Conveniently, charges can be dispersed within the material from which the adhesive layer 10 is composed, which allow the desired optical properties, and in particular the desired absorption, to be obtained. Advantageously, the adhesive layer 10 can comprise a liquid transparent adhesive (Optical Clear Adhesive, OCA) and preferably a liquid optically transparent adhesive (Liquid Optically Clear Adhesive, LOCA).

[0033] Preferably the adhesive layer 10 may be substantially self-sealing.

[0034] Preferably, the adhesive layer 10 can have a reduced thickness. In particular, the adhesive layer can have a thickness such as to reduce the distance between the luminous elements 4 and the protective layer 8 to a value less than 3 mm, and preferably equal to approximately 1 mm. In this way, the screen can conveniently have a viewing angle of approximately 180° .

[0035] Advantageously, each tile 2 can comprise an anti -glare layer, configured to reduce the amount of reflected light radiation. Suitably, said anti-glare layer 12 can be included in said protection layer 8 and / or in said adhesive layer 10. In particular, the protection layer can have an anti-glare surface treatment 12, for example by deposition of the anti-glare layer 12. Suitably, said anti-glare layer can have nanometric dimensions.

[0036] Suitably, the screen 1 according to the invention may comprise a plurality of tiles 2 as described above. In one embodiment, the protection layer 8 may have a size suitable for protecting a plurality of tiles 2, 2' arranged side by side. Advantageously, in order to give the impression to the user that the screen 1 is a single structure, the distance between two light elements 8 (or two rows of light elements 8) in a tile 2 may substantially correspond to the distance between a light element 8 (or a row of light elements 8) in a tile 2 and a light element 8' (or a row of light elements 8') in a second adjacent tile 2'.

[0037] Advantageously, the screen 1 can also include a central control and processing unit (not shown) configured to control the different tiles 2, 2'. Suitably, each tile can be uniquely identified, together with its position on the screen 1 , in order to allow the central control unit to select which image, or which portion of an image, the specific tile 2, 2' is to represent. The present invention also relates to a method for designing a screen 1 .

[0038] In particular, the design includes an initial phase of calculating the necessary thickness of the protective layer 8 and / or the material from which it is made, in order to calculate its absorption.

[0039] Subsequently, an adhesive layer 10 can be prepared having the thickness and / or absorbency of the material of which the adhesive layer 10 is composed, in order to obtain the desired absorption.

[0040] Conveniently, the modification of the absorbance of the material of which the adhesive layer 10 is composed can be done by means of the density and / or the type of charges dispersed in the material itself.

[0041] From what has been said it is clear that the screen according to the invention is particularly advantageous, indeed optimal, because:

[0042] - allows you to obtain a high contrast between illuminated portions and dark portions,

[0043] - is protected from accidental or intentional damage.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Screen (1) configured for use in outdoor or semi-outdoor environments comprising: a plurality of light elements (4) configured to emit light radiation so as to display and / or project an image, a controller (6) configured to control the activation and deactivation of said light elements, said light elements (4) being associated with said controller (6), and characterized by the fact that it includes a protective layer (8), preferably made of glass, positioned between said light elements (4) and a user, an adhesive layer (10) configured to permit adhesion of said protective layer (8) to said controller (6), where the adhesive layer (10) and the protective layer (8) together have a light absorption value between 10 and 50%.

2. Screen (1 ) according to claim 1 characterised in that said adhesive layer (10) is made of a transparent polyurethane resin or a transparent silicone resin.

3. Screen according to one or more of the preceding claims characterised in that said adhesive layer has a refractive index which differs from that of said protection layer (8) by a value lower than 7%, and preferably lower than 5%.

4. Screen according to one or more of the preceding claims characterised in that the adhesive layer (10) and the protective layer (8) together have a light absorption value between 25 and 45%, and preferably between 30 and 40%.

5. Screen according to one or more of the preceding claims characterised by the fact that it comprises a plurality of tiles (2, 2'), each comprising a corresponding controller (6) and corresponding light elements (4).

6. Screen according to one or more of the preceding claims characterised in that said light elements (4) are arranged in ordered rows, and that the distance between two light elements (4) - or two rows of light elements (4) - in a tile (2) may be substantially corresponding to the distance between a light element (4) - or a row of light elements (4) - in a tile (2) and a light element (4') - or a row of light elements (4‘) - in a second adjacent tile (2').

7. Screen according to one or more of the preceding claims characterised in that said light elements (4) are mini or micro LEDs.

8. Display according to one or more of the preceding claims characterised in that said light elements (4) are associated with said controller (6) by means of Flip- Chip or Surface- Mounted Device technology.

9. Screen according to one or more of the preceding claims characterised in that each tile (2, 21) comprises a corresponding protective layer (8).

10. Screen according to one or more of claims 1 - 8 characterised in that a plurality of tiles (2, 2') comprise the same protective layer (8).11 . Screen according to one or more of the preceding claims characterised in that the light elements (4) are associated with a dark controller (6).

12. Display according to one or more of the preceding claims characterised in that the light elements (4) are associated with a rigid controller (6).

13. Screen according to one or more of the preceding claims characterised in that there is never direct contact between the protection layer (8) and the light elements (4).

14. Screen according to one or more of the preceding claims characterised in that the adhesive layer (10) is made of a material which has an absorption difference of less than 10%, and preferably less than 5% between 400 nm and 800 nm.

15. Screen according to one or more of the preceding claims characterised in that the adhesive layer (10) and the protective layer (8) together have a light absorption value between 10 and 50%.

16. Screen according to one or more of the preceding claims characterised in that the adhesive layer (10) and the protective layer (8 ) together have a light absorption value between 25 and 45%, and preferably between 30 and 40%.

Images