FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to LED based display screens adapted for providing backdrops for theatre stages or for settings in the Film/TV production studios avoiding the need for creation of costly stage/settings for every event or movie afresh on each occasion and maintaining inventory thereof for further use. The display screens of the invention are obtained of modular construction to facilitate the assembling with 3-D visual effects required for such theatre stages or for settings in the Film/TV production studios. Advantageously such display screen is adapted to realize up to 280 trillions of colour combinations through a 16 bit colour processing scheme resulting in real life True colour' display based backdrop adding to the visual appeal of such backdrops. The display screen of the present invention can support variety of inputs like Text, Still images, Animations, Video and 3D. The backdrop involving such LED based modular plurality of modular screens can be obtained of variety of sizes and shapes to suit the end uses. Audio can also be provided through a set of speakers attached to the display boards. The visual displays are refreshed at a fast rate facilitating changing backdrops on the stage dynamically through software controls without any physical movement of the screens. Importantly, use of a plurality of such LED based display screens with selective separation in between screens provides 3D effect while viewing. The LED based display screens are usable indoor or outdoor with day and night visibility. The system of LED based display screens thus favour wide scale application in theatre art or entertainment show on stage or TV/Film production in studios enabling refreshing visual displays at a fast rate and thereby facilitating changing backdrops on the stage dynamically through software controls without any physical movement of the screens in an efficient and cost effective manner.

BACKGROUND ART

It is known in the existing field of preparing background and sets for theatrical art and stage performance as well as various reality shows, the requirement of various designs of the sets depend on a particular event and sequence in an act or live show and is dynamic in nature. The existing screens on a theatre stage are fixed arrangements with painted contents and several such screens are used interchangeably for different contexts. In film and TV production also, settings are constructed for various requirements fresh for every such need on each occasion a scene is shot. This necessitates design and fabrication every time and also the need to store them until the production activity is completed in all respects. In spite of the expensive and time consuming set building effort in the conventional practice, the theme remains static in nature without hardly any provision to demonstrate an act of mobility or a sense of dynamism in the contents of set/background where the situation in an act so demand.

The present method of creating and storing new designs of a large variety of sets/screens/backgrounds calls for significant amounts of time and energy in creative design works and also huge inventory to be stocked during a stage performance in respect of a theatre art or until the production is completed in the case of a film or TV production, which usually takes time in the range of one month to six months or even more.

There has been therefore a need in the art to incorporate mobility and dynamism in the contents used for set/background for stage or studio for theater or TV/Movie production and/or live show. There is also the requirement in the field of stage or studio performance where the set or back ground can be changed dynamically according to need with less effort, time and cost, resembling the desired situation and sequence in a lively manner wherein viewers comfort and pleasure can be ensured. The need is also there to eliminate the time and money associated with procuring, making and storing of sets/screens physically during a production period.

In the recent times LCD monitors of different sizes are being used in the background during performances but with limited possibility of fulfilling the above said requirements in the art.

The co-pending Patent application no. 2621/CHE/2008 for True Colour' LED relate to displays for use as posters (DigiPoster) for advertising and display purposes and co pending application no. 2141/CHE/2009 for LED TV applications discloses the potential display of content in electronic/digital media with computer composed selective energization of groups of LED modules directed to energy saving while maintaining richness of display contents in static as well as dynamic or 3-D mode.

The present invention is aimed at replacing the static structure/painted screen based background for stage performances or construction of settings for film/TV production by providing 'True Colour' LED display based screen with the modularity in construction and flexibilities in display adapted to ensure desired content management or manipulations in order to avoid limitations and disadvantages of the set/background designs presently in use with relative ease and comfort.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is thus the basic object of the present invention to provide a 3D display/video backdrop comprising of LED display for theatre art on stage or TV/Film production at studios adapted for dynamic display of contents as set/background adapted to changed as per need with ease, speed and comfort involving little manpower while ensuring the display content quality.

Another object of the present invention is directed to providing a 3D display/video backdrop comprising of LED display for theatre art on stage or TV/Film production studio wherein a plurality of such screens are arranged in sequence to ensure display of dynamic content on screen either in the form of text, images, animation, video or 3-D as per need of an event.

Another object of the present invention is directed to providing a 3D display/video backdrop comprising of LED display for theatre stage or TV/Film production studio wherein contents can be fed from sources like Dish / cable, DVD, Live camera or stored content from computer hard disks.

A further object of the present invention is directed to providing a 3D display/video backdrop comprising of LED display for theatre stage or TV/Film production studio wherein True Colour' LED display screens are made up of modules which in turn use LED panels with LEDs organized in the form of a rectangular matrix and are provided with electronics to drive the LEDs.

A still further object of the present invention is directed to providing a 3D display/video backdrop comprising of LED display for theatre stage or TV/Film production studio wherein display boards/screens are made up of several LED modules integrated as a single unit in the form of several arches and a complete screen so that together the system appears as if the screen is one with a 3-D visualization feature.

A still further object of the present invention is directed to providing a 3D display/video backdrop comprising of LED display for theatre stage or TV/Film production studio wherein said system can be used as backdrop screens for stage performances including music concerts /dance / drama.

A still further object of the present invention is directed to providing a 3D display/video
backdrop comprising of LED display for theatre stage or TV/Film production studio wherein LEDs can be selectively energized to produce 280 trillion colour combinations through a 16-bit colour processing scheme.

A still further object of the present invention is directed to providing a 3D display/video backdrop comprising of LED display for set/background of theatre stage or TV/Film production studio wherein it is also possible to provide audio through speakers connected in phase with the visual contents on display screen.

A still further object of the present invention is directed to providing a 3D display/video backdrop comprising of LED display for set/background of theatre stage or TV/Film production studio wherein contents can be changed through software with facilities for wired or wireless networking and remote control.

A still further object of the present invention is directed to providing a 3D display/video backdrop comprising of LED display for set/background of theatre stage or TV/Film production studio wherein said screens can be deployed both indoor or out door with day and night visibility. Outdoor units are protected with IP65.

A still further object of the present invention is directed to providing a 3D display/video backdrop comprising of LED display for set/background of theatre stage or TV/Film production studio wherein the screen sizes can be customized to any size since it is modular.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Thus according to the basic aspect of the present invention there is provided a 3D
display/video backdrop comprising of LED display for deployment in stage performances and/or construction of settings for films/ TV productions and the like comprising: plurality of LED display screens in the form of separate modular screens adapted to be integrated as a single display unit with each said plurality of display screen positioned spaced apart from one another with spacing in between such that the operation of the selective modules provide for a single screen 3-D visualization of the feature involving plurality of said modular screens.

A further aspect of the present invention is directed to a 3D display/video backdrop wherein said separate modular screens of the LED display are positioned with spacing in between in the third dimension preferably depth wise.

Another aspect of the present invention is directed to said 3D display/video backdrop wherein each said separate modular screens comprise LED panels with LEDs organized in the form of rectangular matrix with accompanying electronics adapted to drive the LEDs thereby providing means for visualizing any object in the form of text, graphics including still images and animations or video including 3-D.

A still further aspect of the present invention is directed to said 3D display/video backdrop comprising preferably up to 5 said separate modular screens with surface mount LEDs of 3-in-one, Red, Green, Blue - RGB - chip type adapted for displaying text, images, animations, video and 3-D pictures to thereby provide 'True Colour' display screen as a backdrop on a stage or a setting for a film/TV production studio.

Advantageously said 3D display/video backdrop is adapted for use as content-rich backdrop screen for stage performances including music concerts, dance, drama and the like.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention is directed to said 3D display/video backdrop which comprise of a 4 or 5 arch shaped screens separated apart by 8 to 10 feet and formed of arches of different lengths in a decreasing manner with a total length made up of all the arches and the full screen together, the said separation by depth providing for the 3-D effect while viewing.

Importantly also in said 3D display/video backdrop according to the present invention, said LEDs are 3-in-one type comprising Red, Green, Blue colours selectively energized to produce up to 280 trillion colour combinations through a 16 -bit colour processing scheme to produce real life substantially natural colours.

According to another aspect of the present invention directed to said 3D display/video backdrop wherein the display screens are made with pitch of any size selected from 4mm, 6mm, 7mm, 9mm, 12mm, for indoors and 12mm, 16mm, 21mm, 24mm, 25.4mm and 40mm for outdoors depending on requirement.

A still further aspect of the present invention is directed to said 3D display/video backdrop wherein the illumination intensities of display colours can be set for different ambient lights so that displays can be viewed comfortably from a distance due to high brightness and sharp contrast thereby minimizing the need for additional lighting on the stage or settings.

A still further aspect of the present invention is directed to a 3D display/video backdrop wherein the content for display is fed in the form of text, images, animations, video and 3- D in standard formats from sources including Dish/cable, DVD, Live camera or stored content from computer hard disks.

Said 3D display/video backdrop further comprises means for producing audio through speakers operatively connected.

According to a further aspect of the present invention directed to said 3D display/video backdrop the same comprises means adapted for changing the contents through with facilities for networking and remote control-through wired or wireless connectivity- LAN/GSM/Bluetooth.

Said 3D display/video backdrop further comprises providing masking films adapted to reduce strain and provide viewing comfort.

According to a still further aspect of the present invention directed to said 3D display/video backdrop which is adapted for indoor or outdoor activities including event management and stage performance/concerts.

Advantageously, in said 3D display/video backdrop, the screen sizes can be designed to any desired size and form due to the modular nature by using any number of modules suitable for an application.

According to a preferred aspect of the invention there is provided a 3D display/video backdrop wherein the said 'True Colour' LED Display Screens are operated involving operative components comprising a player computer including a CPU, a frame grabber and hard disc, a Video processing Unit which in turn is operatively connected to a controller electronics and power supplies and further onto the LED display screen.

The objects and advantages of the present invention are described in greater details with reference to the following non- limiting illustrative accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES

Figure 1: illustrates the schematic block diagram showing the different units of the LED display based 3D display/video backdrop of the present invention comprising the computer, the video processing unit, control electronics and the interconnecting fiber optic cable.

Figure 2: is the schematic illustration of the LED display based 3D display/video according to an embodiment of the present invention wherein arches and board forming a four layer 'True colour' LED display for a theatre stage has been shown.

Figure 3: illustrates another embodiment of the LED display 3D display/video according to the invention showing the assembly of arches and board arranged as background for theatre stage or TV/Film set.

Figure 4: is the schematic illustration of the top view, side view and isometric view of the Backdrop screen of the LED Display screen system for use in combination with arches for display during stage performance.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES

Reference is first invited to the accompanying Figure 1 that schematically illustrates the block diagram representing processor based control circuitry of the LED display screen according to the present invention. Live Video signals from Video processing unit can be directly fed to the LED display screen. While the video is processed and presented on the LED display screen, audio is presented on the speakers integrated to the display unit. Stored content from computer can also be used to drive the LED modules of display screen to create static or animated images.

Importantly, the LED screen and the control electronics are powered by SMPS which in turn gets power from AC mains / Generator. LEDs are driven at very low voltages like 5 V DC.

These LED display screens allow creating a variety of content-rich backdrops or settings which are easy to operate and easy to change with the contexts with innumerable content scenarios. These displays are essentially modular in nature enabling to be configured to any architecture - shape and size. The display modules are made up of pixels of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) arranged in the form of a rectangular array driven through current drivers. LEDs are placed at equal distance called pitch and the number of LED pixels in a given module is called resolution. Different combinations of values of pitch and resolution give rise to a number of alternative screen designs. Up to 280 trillions of colour combinations are realized through a 16 bit colour processing scheme resulting in real life True colour' display. The display can support a variety of inputs like Text, Still images, Animations, Video and 3D. Screen sizes include popular aspect ratios like Posters (4'X6'), HDTV (16:9) with physical sizes ranging from 55" to 120" diagonal or any other custom specific size. Audio is also provided through a set of speakers attached to the display boards. The visual displays are refreshed at a fast rate facilitating changing backdrops on the stage dynamically through software controls without any physical movement of the screens.

Importantly, the LED display screen system of the present invention deploys the versatile LED based display screens to replace the conventional screens and settings with seamless integration of modules of different shapes and sizes to construct any unique visual art, text or image, static or in motion/animation, employing a plurality of such screens and can go up to 5 with ease and comfort, selectively spaced apart and arranged in specified order to create the desired visual impact on stage/studio. In addition, the electronic medium with separation in between screens also gives a 3D effect while viewing. Advantageously, the long service life of LEDs, design flexibility, viewing comfort from a distance, networkability and remote control features of the LED displays bring in radical improvement in stage craft for theatre arts / Film &TV production. The screens are moreover usable indoor or outdoor with day and night visibility to suit any type of stage/studio performance.

Reference is now invited to the accompanying Figure 2 and Figure 3 that schematically show arrangement of a combination of arch and board display screens according to two different embodiments of the present invention. The figures show a typical construction of a stage for a theatre art application wherein the display boards are made up of several modules integrated as a single unit in the form of a plurality of independent rectangular arches and a complete screen forming a four layer 'True colour' LED display for a theatre stage. These independent arches are positioned with spacing in between in the third dimension i.e. depth wise. Accompanying 3 shows the assembly of three rectangular arches of gradually reducing dimensions arranged with larger size at front and gradually reducing sizes toward the rear side of stage thereafter with the complete screen/board/backdrop at the central and rear most positions. The arches in the above embodiment are separated apart preferably by 8 to 10 feet and formed of arches of different lengths in a decreasing manner with a total length made up of all the arches. Together the system appears as if the screen is one with a 3-D visualization feature.

Synchronized audio contents can also be integrated with the display sequences as desired.

Typical technical specifications of the LED display board/screen used for this exemplary embodiment are illustrated below:

Features Specifications
LEDs employed 3-in-l chip LEDs (Surface Mount Technology)
Colour processing 16bit - with a depth of 280 trillion colours
Operation Indoors or Outdoors
Display contents Text, Graphics (Still images / Animations) or
Video including 3D Inputs accepted Stored content (Disc), Dish / Cable TV, DVD,
Live Camera IP (Outdoors) IP65
Sizes (Typical): Module - The Basic Building Block
Module size 4ft X 3 ft
Pixel pitch 12.7 mm
Panel Physical size 12" x 9"
Panel Pixel matrix 24X18
Panel Matrix 4X4
No of Panels in a Module 16 Module Pixel Matrix 96 X 72
Total No. of Pixels or LEDs 6912

Screen - Full Size:

Display Screen Size (typical) 32 ft X 15 ft (width to height)
Module Matrix 8X5
No of Modules 40
Screen Pixel matrix 768 X 360
Total No. of Pixels or LEDs 276,480

Reference is also invited to the accompanying Figure 4 that shows the different views of the backdrop screen to be placed at the rear most position on stage for use in combination with a plurality of arch like screens placed at the front of it at selective distances apart to produce desired 3-D view when groups of LEDs on screens are selectively energized.

It is thus possible by way of the present invention for developing a system of LED display screen for theatre art and/or the TV/Film production at studio and the like wherein the screen is obtained as an arrangement of a plurality of arch and board type display panels selectively spaced and wherein groups of LEDs are selectively energized by software controlled sequence so as to create set/background of a various designs required with different context of an act/performance with ease, simplicity and cost effective manner without requiring any physical movement of screens or involving manpower to rearrange the set as per sequence. Importantly also, selective disposition of the independent LED display screens of preferred dimensions spaced part along depth of the stage/set enable achieving 3-D visual impact when corresponding energization of groups of LEDs on each of such arch/board is implemented in software controlled sequence. The LED display screen system of the present invention is thus having prospect for wide scale application of such display means for theatre/drama or film/TV production or any advertising or entertainment performance with easy and simple change of background/set without physical movement of static screens in a faster cost effective manner.

We Claim:

1. A 3D display/video backdrop comprising of LED display for deployment in stage performances and/or construction of settings for films/ TV productions and the like comprising:

plurality of LED display screens in the form of separate modular screens adapted to be integrated as a single display unit with each said plurality of display screen positioned spaced apart from one another with spacing in between such that the operation of the selective modules provide for a single screen 3-D visualization of the feature involving plurality of said modular screens.

2. A 3D display/video backdrop as claimed in claim 1 wherein said separate modular screens of the LED display are positioned with spacing in between in the third dimension preferably depth wise.

3. A 3D display/video backdrop as claimed in anyone of claims 1 or 2 wherein each said separate modular screens comprise LED panels with LEDs organized in the form of rectangular matrix with accompanying electronics adapted to drive the LEDs thereby providing means for visualizing any object in the form of text, graphics including still images and animations or video including 3-D.

4. A 3D display/video backdrop as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 3 comprising preferably up to 5 said separate modular screens with surface mount LEDs of 3-in-one - Red, Green. Blue (RGB) - chip type adapted for displaying text, images animations, video and 3-D pictures to thereby provide True Colour' display screen as a backdrop on a stage or a setting for a film/TV production studio.

5. A 3D display/video backdrop as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 4 adapted for use as content-rich backdrop screen for stage performances including music concerts, dance, drama, reality shows and the like.

6. A 3D display/video backdrop as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 5 comprising of a 4 or 5 arch shaped screens separated apart by 8 to 10 feet and formed of arches of different lengths in a decreasing manner with a total length made up of all the arches and the full screen together, the said separation by depth providing for the 3-D effect while viewing.

7. A 3D display/video backdrop as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 6 wherein said LEDs are 3-in-one type comprising Red, Green, Blue colours selectively energized to produce up to 280 trillion colour combinations through a 16-bit colour processing scheme to produce real life substantially natural colours.

8. A 3D display/video backdrop as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 7 wherein the display screens are made with pitch of any size selected from 4mm, 6mm, 7mm, 9mm and 12mm for indoors and 12mm, 16mm, 21mm, 24mm, 25.4mm and 40mm for outdoors depending on requirement.

9. A 3D display/video backdrop as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 8 wherein the illumination intensities of display colours can be set for different ambient lights such that displays can be viewed comfortably from a distance due to high brightness and sharp contrast thereby minimizing the need for additional lighting on the stage or settings.

10. A 3D display/video backdrop as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 9 wherein the content for display is fed in the form of text, images, animations , video and 3-D in standard formats from sources including Dish/cable, DVD, Live camera or stored content from computer hard disks.

11. A 3D display/video backdrop as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 10 comprising means for produce audio through speakers operatively connected.

12. A 3D display/video backdrop as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 11 comprising means adapted for changing the contents with facilities for networking and remote control - through wired or wireless connectivity-LAN/GSM/Bluetooth.

13. A 3D display/video backdrop as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 12 comprising providing masking films adapted to reduce strain and provide viewing comfort.

14. A 3D display/video backdrop as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 13 which is adapted for indoor or outdoor activities including event management and stage performance/concerts.

15. A 3D display/video backdrop as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 14 wherein the screen sizes are customized to any desired size and form due to the modular nature by using any number of modules suitable for an application.

16. A 3D display/video backdrop as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 15 wherein the
said True Colour' LED Display Screens are operated involving operative components
comprising a player computer including a CPU, a frame grabber and hard disc, a Video
processing Unit which in turn is operatively connected to a controller electronics and power supplies and further onto the LED display screen.

17. A 3D display/video backdrop comprising of LED display for deployment in stage performances and/or construction of settings for films/ TV productions and the like substantially as herein described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying figures.