LED Poster System - LED DigiPoster
ABSTRACT
'DigiPoster' or 'LED DigiPoster' is an intelligent, robust and rugged device meant for use in advertisements or information dissemination, either indoors or outdoors. The Poster is constructed in a modular way and designed to withstand environmental stresses and forces that include dust, rain and wind. The Poster, which has several inherent advantages over conventional advertising methods can have its contents loaded or altered through an embedded controller or through a remote control unit over a wired / wireless mobile data network or even through a web server. The 'Poster' supports multiple pixel resolutions and multiple data / image formats. High quality images are realized through 280-trillion color combinations, made possible through the 16-bit processing technology. The integrated intelligent LED based poster/advertisement system also has an in-built provision to display live information related to temperature, time, humidity and pollution levels. The 'Poster' can be deployed in fixed or mobile applications. The mobility and the facility for timing the advertisement slots make the LED 'Posters' ideal for rental applications
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to LED technology for advertising products or services, in an appealing 'Poster' format of varied and flexible shapes, configurations and sizes adapted for displaying the still or video images of the advertisement / information content at several geographical locations simultaneously. In particular, the invention is directed to LED based poster/advertisement system including the embedded systems adapted to store in the internal memory, data pertaining to advertisements of several products or services. Fresh data to update the 'Poster' can be inputted either locally with a PC / keyboard or received from a remote central controlling station over wired, wireless, mobile network or the Internet.
DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART
Advertisement for publicity to promote or enhance the sale of products or services is a time old marketing strategy. Poster publicity is one among the several means of advertisements for brand promotion. Conventional and traditional methods involved paper posters pasted to the walls, screen-printed banners, scrolling text and animated displays with illuminated bulbs and the flexible vinyl computer-printed banners with text and images. Continuous

improvements in the publicity methods are achieved exploiting the state of the art technologies.
Poster advertisements are placed on roadsides, shops, malls or public places like airports, bus / railway stations etc. They provide an opportunity to advertise products or services to attract the attention of commuters and provide the desired visual impact.
The traditional poster displays present static images and whenever the content is to be changed, it is created again and the old one replaced. Also if the posters are placed at several locations, replacement is to be done at all places.
Electronic display technology solutions like TV and LCD screens have also been in use, which are required to be connected over a cable network to continuously telecast the advertisement stills / images / videos. Providing a physical connectivity in public places may pose difficulties.
Moreover while electronic displays such as TV and LCD based advertisements systems may be known and available, it is found that such systems always have limitations in imparting flexibility to the advertisement media in terms of its shape and configuration and also assembling complexities. Thus while TV and LCD screens are one piece subjects and do not cater to needs of modular orientations in shapes, configurations and sizes there is always a limitation and complexity in its assembling and use as a display media.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is thus the basic object of the present invention to provide for an intelligent LED based poster/advertisement system, which would be adapted to- avoid the aforediscussed limitations and complexities in electronic advertising of products or services such as electronic displays involving TV and/or LCD screens.
Another object of the present invention is directed to provide for an LED based poster/advertisement system which would enable providing a modular flexibility to the shape, configuration and sizes of intelligent LED based screen as digital posters for advertisement and like purposes.
Yet another object of the present invention is directed to provide for an LED based poster/advertisement system which would be suitable for use in advertisements / information dissemination indoors and outdoors and would enable displaying a number of

still and/or video images containing advertisement text, graphics and animation of several products or services in a desired sequence and optimizing use of the advertising space.
Another object of the present invention is directed to provision of an LED based poster/advertisement system involving several Posters that can be connected in a network and can be remotely controlled.
A further object of the invention is directed to an LED based poster/advertisement system wherein the content for display can be embedded in the 'Poster' to be updated either locally through a PC / keyboard or from a remote central controlling station over a wired or wireless / mobile data network / Internet.
Yet further object of the invention is directed to an LED based poster/advertisement system wherein the 'Poster' would be adapted to support multiple pixel resolutions and multiple data / image formats and favour realizing high quality images.
A further object of the invention is directed to an LED based poster/advertisement system including auto features enabling brightness & contrast control, idling detection to drive the 'Poster' into a power save mode and a self-diagnostics package to check the health of the 'Poster'.
Another object of the invention is to provide for an LED based poster/advertisement system wherein the digital poster can be adapted to operate in an interactive mode with plug and play connectivity and thus favourably used for information dissemination at Corporate offices. Banks, Stock Exchanges, Hotels, Function Halls and Shopping Mails etc.
Another object of the invention is directed to facilitate by way of an integrated intelligent LED based poster/advertisement system having in-built provision for ready and convenient to install and display live information related to temperature, time, humidity and pollution levels.
Yet further object of the present invention is directed to LED based poster/advertisement system, which would be adapted to be mounted on wheels to cater to mobile applications and have facility for timing the advertisement slots such as for rental applications.

Another object of the invention is to provide for an LED based poster/advertisement system involving manufacturing technologies adapted to make the 'Poster' systems very robust and rugged to withstand severe environmental stresses and forces.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Thus according to the basic aspect of the present invention there is provided an LED based intelligent poster/advertisement system comprising plurality of LED modules each having plurality of LED pixels and adapted to operatively combine to provide for atleast one electronic display means as 'Digi Posters' of varied shape , configuration and size , said atelast one electronic display means operatively connected to a control unit embedded in the display unit or a central control station over a wired or wireless/mobile data network or through web server.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided an LED based intelligent poster/advertisement system comprising plurality of LED modyles each having plurality of LED pixels and adapted to operatively combine to provide for atleast one electronic display means as 'Digi Posters' of varied shape , configuration and size , said atelast one electronic display means operatively connected to a control unit embedded in the display unit having suitable sensors positioned within the display adapted to facilitate displaying live information related to anyone or more of temperature, time, humidity and pollution levels and the like.
The above LED based poster/advertisement system can comprise plurality of LED posters adapted to carry the same image/video or different images/videos based on the operative sequence of posters in a centralized control unit.
Importantly, the above disclosed LED based poster/advertisement system for the first time would enable by way of a modular assembly of electronic display on one hand .the required flexibility in providing electronic posters of varied shape, configuration and sizes to meet variety of advertising and publicity needs based on selective space provisions for such electronic display and on the other hand provide the much required clarity in such electronic advertising both for indoor as well as outdoor applications.
Advantageously, the present invention deploys LED assembly modules of high resolution and image quality to form the 'Poster'. LEDs are arranged in the form of pixels and several pixels form a module. Several modules are assembled into a display of desired size. The display

size and resolution make the desired impact of the visuals on the targeted viewers. The pixel consists of 3 (RGB) Individual LEDs or 3-in-one RGB chip LED for Outdoor use and 3-in-one RGB chip LED for Indoor use.
In accordance with a preferred aspect the LED based poster/advertisement system is an embedded system comprising of a microprocessor, an internal memory adapted to store locally a large number of advertisement images of several products and a controller.
The text or graphics Images are stored in the memory embedded into the Poster system and provide data for continuous scrolling of several images one after the other in a pre-defined sequence.
Advantageously, LED based poster/advertisement system of the invention is adapted to display the data pertaining to the advertisement image or information - text or graphics or video.
In accordance with a preferred aspect of the invention the LED based poster/advertisement system comprising a 16-bit processing technology to realize 280 trillion color combinations to present true color images.
The LED based poster/advertisement system can be web enabled or programmable in respect of updating the local memory with new content from the central controlling station over the wired / wireless / mobile data network/Internet. It is also adapted to accept new image data or information through an external laptop computer / keyboard for updating the content.
Advantageously, the LED based poster/advertisement system of the invention having a range of resolutions to meet the indoor and outdoor visual requirements. Importantly, it is adapted for multiple formats of inputs for displaying on the 'DigiPoster' and for image quality characteristics of high brightness and daytime visibility with a wide viewing angle, essential for outdoor applications.

The LED based poster/advertisement system of the invention is also adapted for ruggedised and operating under high ambient temperatures and severe environments of dust, rain, storm etc.
The LED based poster/advertisement system can be advantageously operated in different configurations preferably selected from hanging, structure-mounted, stand-mounted, wall-mounted or pole-mounted including with displays on both sides. Moreover, the LED based poster/advertisement system is adapted for automatic intensity control based on the ambient light.
Also, to facilitate ease in servicing the LED based poster/advertisement system can have a front or rear opening.
Advantageously also the LED based poster/advertisement system is configurable to suit the advertisers' marketing strategies as fixed or mobile (on wheels). It can be programmable / web enabled to facilitate advertisement agencies to offer advertisement space to different product or services advertisers scheduling time slots based on data available from the web regarding the media space utilization.
Preferably, the 'Posters' are positioned at geographically distributed vantage locations and transmission of new image data takes place from the central controlling station over a wired / wireless / mobile network / Internet. Technologies like GPRS / CDMA / GSM are employed for the wireless transmission / reception. New text / images can also be loaded into the 'Poster' by means of a Laptop / Keyboard.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention the said LED based posters/advertisement systems are adapted to favour displaying poster advertisements, stills or videos in text or image formats, on a number of LED Posters, linked through a wired/wireless network. The content of the advertisements and the sequence of the advertisements can be set individually and can be changed for each poster locally or by transmission and control from a centralized location.
The positioning of the LED 'Poster' in the chosen locations can be by means of a stand, or on a unipole, through hanging or with hinges on a suitably designed structure. The 'Poster' unit can also be mounted on wheels and configured as a mobile facility to meet specific application requirements in public places. Such facilities can be offered by advertising

agencies on rentals to sell the display space to several product or services advertisers. The advertisement time can be recorded for tariff purposes.
The present invention will be an added value substitute for conventional poster advertising and scrolling advertisement displays. The Images are characterized by high brightness enabling even daytime visibility with wide view angles to be comfortably seen from a distance. The images can be in portrait (or landscape) format and can be displayed for periods ranging from 5-15 seconds, 8 seconds being typical. This periodicity enables the viewers to distinguish one image from the other.
The LED 'Poster' systems have superior performance features compared to prior art advertising displays including the electronic displays such as TV and LCD based displays. Importantly, the TV and LCD based systems have limitations in providing modular forms of electronic displays such as the LED based system proposed herein which in .turn lead.to limitations in convenient and efficient use of such electronic posters in areas /locations having complexities of place for such electronic display. Moreover, the selective use of LEDs in such display posters would provide for wide viewing facility, which LCDs do not have. LEDs can withstand high ambient temperatures, which LCDs cannot. LEDs offer a rugged display screen withstanding severe environmental conditions of dust, rain or storm etc that makes them best for outdoor applications. LED 'Poster' systems operate over a wireless connectivity dispensing with the cable needed for a TV networl<.
Moreover, LEDs have the advantage of lighting up very quickly and being solid state components are less vulnerable to damage with external shock. Relatively high color intensity makes LED screens suitable for outdoor applications also. The modular LED screens can be used outdoors and in rugged environments. Furthermore, LEDs have relatively longer useful life (up to 100,000 hrs) which again add to the advantages of such LED based modular electronic posters vis-a-vis any other conventional electronic display.
The details of the invention its objects and advantages are explained hereunder in greater detail In relation to non-limiting exemplary illustrations as per the following accompanying figures:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES:
Figure 1 is an illustration of a block schematic of the LED poster/advertisement system in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2: is an illustrative embodiment of an LED poster/advertisement unit in the system in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 3A illustrate various embodiment of modular LED based display unit in the LED poster/advertisement system in accordance with the present system;
Figure 3B illustrate further embodiment of modular LED based display unit in the LED poster/advertisement system in accordance with the present system;
Figure 4 is a typical illustration of the pixel based modular poster system of the invention.
Figure 5A show various illustrative embodiment of the LED based poster involving variety of shapes and configurations;
Figure 5B show further illustrative embodiment of the LED based poster involving variety of shape and configuration
Figure 6A to 6C show further illustrative embodiment of the LED based poster clearly illustrating the possible variety of shape and configuration of the display involving modular LEDs and its possible varieties mountings.
Reference is first invited to Accompanying figure 1 which shows by way of the block
illustration an embodiment of the LED poster/advertisement system involving the at least
one modular LED poster (30) which is operativeiy connected to a controller (20) adapter to
facilitate displaying advertisement images and/or flash information on the LED poster. The
operative connection from such controller (20) to at least one of the LED poster (30) can be
attained through any conventional means such as wired/wireless CDMA GSM
GPRS/Internet connectivity (40) as clearly illustrated in the figure. Importantly, the system of the invention facilitates the operative display of images in plurality of such' LED poster involving a single central controlling station (20).
The content for the images is prepared (formatted in proper files) in the central controlling station 20 and transmitted to the individual 'Poster' systems 30. The images can be still or videos with text and graphics. The images are displayed in a programmed sequence and for a pre defined time. Changes to the Image data or sequence can be effected at the central controlling station 20 and transmitted to each individual 'Poster' system 30. Changes can also be effected locally with the help of a Laptop computer / Key board.

The transmission of image data is through either wired (LAN) or wireless / mobile telephone networks / Internet 40. The data size and rates are so chosen to reproduce poster quality images on the 'Poster' screen. Ideally, the image should be of the same size as the "Poster' (say A X B) for a quality presentation. Smaller images can be displayed to their true size. However an image of size 2A x 2B can be fitted onto a 'Poster' of A x B with an acceptable degree of deformation in the image. Sizes beyond this limit undergo loss of picture quality and hence are not acceptable. The image data is typically of the size ranging from 50Kb to 5Mb.
Reference is next invited to accompanying figure 2 which illustrate an alternative embodiment of the LED poster system, which has an embedded controller. The LED 'Poster' system is an embedded system with a microprocessor, memory and a controller. In such case the data pertaining to the advertisement image is locally resident in the memory of the embedded poster system.
According to a further embodiment of the intelligent LED based posters of the invention the same can have said display with a control unit embedded in the display unit having suitable sensors positioned within the display adapted to facilitate displaying live information related to anyone or more of temperature, time, humidity and pollution levels and the like
Accompanying figures 3A and 3B illustrate the provision of pixel based modular LEDs providing for the desired flexibility and adaptability of the LED poster/advertisement systems of the invention for variety of end use/applications which are usually not practicable involving other known electronic display screens including TV and LCD Displays.
As clearly apparent from said figures 3A and 3B according to the modular system the LEDs are organized in the form of pixels - a cluster of 3 or 4 (Red, Green, Blue) LEDs OR a 3-in-one RGB chip LED - forming one pixel 31; several pixels make a module 32 and several modules make a display screen 33. The modular structure enables building of screens of any desired size to best meet the visual needs of indoor or outdoor applications. Virtually any color combination is possible to realize true color images by the 16 bit processing technology, which provides for 280 trillion colour combinations. The intensity of various 'Posters' could be automatically controlled and varied depending on the brightness of the ambient light.
Reference is now invited to Accompanying Figure 4 which further illustrates the possible arrangement of pixel in the modules comprising the LED displays in the

poster/advertisement systems of the invention. As shown in the figure the pixel can comprise of 3 (RGB) individual LEDs or 3-in-one RGB chip LED for outdoors and 3-in-one RGB chip LED for indoor use.
A typical 'Poster' of size 2286 mm height x 1524 mm width corresponding to a pixel resolution of 180 x 120 with a pixel pitch of 12.7mm is shown in Fig 4. Other resolutions like 4mm, 6mm, 7mm, 9mm, 12mm, 16mm, 21mm and 25mm [with or without scan + technology] are also available to be best viewed from distances of 5 to 100 meters. The sizes of the posters can be as per choice (Fig 3) and are realized by assembling several modules.
Reference is now invited to Accompanying Figure 5A & 5B to Illustrate how the modular construction of the LED poster/display means in the system of the invention adds flexibility to the desired obtaining of LED poster of variety of shape, configuration and sizes which none of the other l