Animated Lighted Display Device With LED Cavities
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighted display devices are limited in their application due to the delicacy of glass bulbs, inconsistency in light intensity, and high manufacturing costs, making them unsuitable for impact-resistant and contoured applications, and unable to achieve a full range of human-like facial expressions.
Innovation Solution
A lighted display device with a base member and cavities, where illumination devices provide bright and uniform lighting through optical communication, using LEDs or optical fibers, and a processor synchronizes light patterns with sound to create animated facial features, reducing the number of light sources and manufacturing complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If traditional glass bulbs are used for illumination, then bright lighting can be achieved, but the device becomes delicate and unsuitable for impact-resistant applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces fragile glass bulbs with LED illumination devices that are durable, impact-resistant, and have long operational life. The LED can be mounted directly in the cavity or coupled via optical fiber, providing both brightness and reliability suitable for toy applications.
2Illumination intensity
If traditional bulb illumination sources are used, then lighting can be provided, but uniform lighting without hotspots becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple LED illumination devices distributed across different cavities (eye cavities, mouth cavities, eyebrow cavities) to provide localized lighting control. Each LED or group of LEDs illuminates specific facial features uniformly without creating hotspots, achieving realistic animated expressions through selective regional illumination.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple illumination devices are used to create animated facial features, then realistic animation can be achieved, but the number of light sources and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the facial illumination system into segmented cavities: eye cavities (with upper and lower portions), mouth cavities (with upper and lower lips), and eyebrow cavities. Each cavity contains illumination devices that can be independently controlled to create different facial expressions, animations, and emotions, providing versatility while maintaining manageable manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a standardized cavity structure that can accommodate different types of illumination devices (LEDs directly mounted or coupled via optical fibers). This universal cavity design allows the same basic structure to serve multiple functions: illumination, animation, and various facial expressions, reducing overall manufacturing complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables the creation of realistic, animated visual displays with consistent illumination and reduced manufacturing costs, suitable for a wide range of applications, including toys and consumer goods, while maintaining high functionality and market appeal.
Implementation Method 1
an optically smooth surface for propagating light therethrough
Implementation Method 2
The light extraction structure includes an optically reflective surface extending into the light guide core and is oriented to reflect light at an angle less than a critical angle necessary for light to propagate through the light guide core
Implementation Method 3
A diffuse reflective sheet material is disposed around at least a portion of the light guide to direct at least a portion of the light reflected by the light extraction structure back through the light guide to emit the light through the light emitting region of the optically smooth surface
Data Source
AI summary
An illuminated display device with a base member with a plurality of cavities therein. Illumination devices illuminate the cavities and emit light through an opening of the cavities in a pattern, and a speaker can emit sounds in synchronization with the pattern. A panel with translucent portions can overly the base member and the cavities. An animated talking character can have an animated mouth cavity complex with multiple predetermined mouth lighting configurations simulative of human utterances. The cavities can be open, or optical waveguide material or positive members can be disposed therein. Reflective material can enhance internal reflectance and light emission.