Translation Table for Arbitrary Shaped Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
The production of arbitrary shaped video displays is inefficient and costly due to the use of standard rectangular grid components, which are inadequate for creating custom shaped displays and wasteful in terms of resources.
Innovation Solution
A translation table apparatus and method that maps graphical display data from a regular matrix to an arbitrary shape, allowing for the efficient configuration of displays with flexible pixel strings and enabling the creation of displays in any desired shape, such as channel letters or logos, by transforming rectangular image data into an arbitrary shape array.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If standard rectangular grid video components are used to construct displays, then the display can be built using readily available components, but the display cannot achieve arbitrary shapes and resources are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the display into modular video components (VCOs) that can be independently controlled and arranged. Each VCO represents a segment of the overall display, allowing the system to construct various shapes by selectively activating or deactivating specific segments, thereby achieving arbitrary shapes while using standard rectangular components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a logical layer of organization beyond the physical rectangular grid. By creating virtual channels and logical row/column mappings, the system transforms the two-dimensional rectangular component arrangement into arbitrary shapes through software-based coordinate transformation and data mapping techniques.
2Adaptability or versatility
If shaped video components in arbitrary shapes are produced, then the display can achieve desired custom shapes, but production becomes expensive and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of rectangular video components through software mapping. Instead of physically manufacturing custom-shaped components, the system uses standard rectangular VCOs and applies software transformations to simulate arbitrary shapes, thereby avoiding the high costs and low efficiency of custom component production while maintaining shape flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the organizational parameters of display data rather than the physical parameters of components. By modifying how data is mapped, addressed, and organized in memory (logical rows, columns, and channels), the system achieves arbitrary shape displays using standard rectangular components, eliminating the need for expensive custom-shaped component manufacturing.
3Device complexity
If rectangular grid video components are used, then the control system can be simple, but the system is inadequate for creating custom shaped displays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces translation tables and coordinate transformation software as intermediary layers between the simple rectangular grid control system and the desired arbitrary shape output. These intermediaries perform the complex mapping operations, allowing the underlying control system to remain relatively simple while achieving sophisticated shape customization capabilities.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to image displays and signage, and more particularly, to displays of custom or arbitrary shape. Such shaped displays include channel letter displays, logo or design displays, multiple displays in an assembly, multiple display modules, curved or round displays, or other arbitrary shaped or unusual aspect ratio displays. The present invention further relates to software, apparatus, and methods for a translation table which maps graphical data from an initial shape to an arbitrary shape for use on such displays.