DE102015102533B4 - Modular optical signaling system - Google Patents

Abstract

Modular system for optical signaling, comprising: - at least two modules (01), each having a plurality of LEDs (02) and each having a drive unit (03) for individually controlling the LEDs (02), wherein the LEDs (02) of the modules (02) 01) are each arranged like a matrix in the form of a rectangle or in the form of a pictogram; A system controller (06) for the digital control of the plurality of modules (01), wherein the system controller (06) is configured to provide individual signaling patterns for the plurality of modules (01), the signaling patterns being each one by the respective module ( 01) represent image to be reproduced, which is represented by the respective luminous LEDs (02); and - a digital bus (07) through which the system driver (06) is electrically connected to the drive units (03) of the plurality of modules (01); wherein the system driver (06) is adapted to address a plurality of the modules (01) to transmit the signaling patterns addressed as logical commands via the digital bus (07); and wherein the drive units (03) of the modules (01) are designed to receive the addressed signaling patterns via the digital bus (07) and to reproduce the respective signaling pattern for the respective module (01) with the LEDs (02), for which Drive units (03) are each designed to convert the transmitted signaling patterns into electrical signals for driving the individual LEDs (02).

Description

The present invention relates to a modular system for optical signaling, which comprises a plurality of LED modules, which can be controlled flexibly by a system control.

The DE 38 37 313 A1 shows a dot-matrix LED display unit and an LED display device composed of such units. Each unit has its own control circuit and has an input and an output connection. The units can be switched both in parallel and in series.

From the DE 100 48 440 A1 a display module for forming a display element constructed of a plurality of display modules arranged adjacent to one another is known. The display modules are optically coupled together for data transmission, which should eliminate interference-prone wire connections between adjacent display modules.

The DE 696 10 224 T2 teaches a drive unit for an LED dot matrix, in which a transmission of the control data takes place according to a multiplex method.

The DE 10 2006 014 800 A1 shows an LED display system with multiple LED modules, which are preferably connected via DMX or Ethernet to a control device.

The WO 2014/197782 A1 shows cascadable LED modules, each having a matrix arranged LEDs.

The US 2002/0047628 A1 teaches a method and apparatus for computer-aided control of light sources, such as LEDs. This device comprises several controllers to which, inter alia, several LEDs are connected. The controllers are connected to a processor via a common bus. A data protocol is used according to which each byte corresponds to a specific output port of the controller. Thus, groups of red LEDs, green LEDs and blue LEDs can be individually controlled. This should be able to generate different lighting situations.

The US 2012/0043885 A1 shows LED elements of a LED lamp, which are arranged, for example, trapezoidal.

From the DE 10 2010 002 758 A1 For example, a lighting system with a communication bus and a daisy-chain topology is known.

The DE 20 2013 103 146 U1 shows a device system with several devices for distributed arrangement along escape routes or traffic routes. Each device controls one or more lighting units, each with several LEDs. The device system further comprises a control device which is connected to the devices to a network. The control device is designed to output commands in the form of data packets to the devices, including control commands for controlling the lighting units. Each of the devices has a receiver on the input side and a transmitter on the output side, between which there is a local control unit. If the control unit receives a data packet via its receiver, it determines from an address contained in the data packet whether the data is intended for its own device.

The object of the present invention, starting from the prior art, is to provide a system of LED modules which is flexibly adaptable to different optical signaling applications. For this purpose, the system should be low-cost adaptable to different numbers of LED modules and also to differently designed LED modules.

The above object is achieved by a modular optical signaling system according to the appended claim 1.

The modular system according to the invention is used for optical signaling by means of artificial light, which is emitted by light-emitting diodes (LED). In particular, the signaling can take place by displaying moving images, images, symbol images, texts, tickers and pictograms, which are reproduced by the light of the LEDs. The system according to the invention can also serve for secondary illumination.

The system according to the invention comprises at least two modules, each with a plurality of LEDs. These modules can also be called LED modules. Each of the modules comprises a drive unit for individually controlling the LEDs of the respective module. The LEDs can be individually acted upon by the drive unit with a current, whereby the LEDs can be brought to light individually.

The system according to the invention further comprises a system control for digital control of the plurality of modules. Preferably, all of the modules are controlled by the system control. The system driver is designed to provide individual signaling patterns for the multiple modules. The signaling patterns each represent that by the respective module to be reproduced image, which is represented by the respective illuminated LEDs.

The system according to the invention further comprises a digital bus, by which the system drive is electrically connected to the drive units of the plurality of modules. The bus transfers the signaling patterns from the system controller to the modules. The signaling patterns are transmitted as digital data.

According to the invention, the system drive is designed to address a plurality of the modules in order to transmit the signaling patterns addressed as logical commands via the digital bus. The addressing can be absolute or relative. In any case, different signaling patterns can be output by the system control, which can be uniquely assigned to the individual modules within the system. The logical commands are assigned to a command set for programming the modules. The programming of the modules is done for the purpose of digitally transmitting the signaling patterns from the system controller to the modules. The commands are preferably transmitted as tokens over the bus. The commands preferably contain values which describe the activation of the individual LEDs.

According to the invention, the drive units of the modules are each designed to receive the addressed signaling patterns via the bus and in each case to reproduce and display the signaling pattern provided for the respective module with the LEDs located in this module. Consequently, the drive units of the modules are each designed to convert the signaling pattern to be displayed into data for the direct control of the LEDs located in the respective module and to make this data available. Furthermore, the drive units of the modules are each designed to provide corresponding currents for applying the LEDs, starting from the data for driving the LEDs.

The system driver and the modules are physically remote and interconnected by the bus. By contrast, the control units of the modules are each integrated in the modules.

A particular advantage of the modular system according to the invention is that due to the digital transmission of the signaling patterns to be reproduced via the bus, it is possible to integrate further and / or differently executed modules into an existing system solely by adapting the software.

The modular system according to the invention preferably comprises at least three of the modules, with further preferred embodiments comprising at least ten of the modules. The system control is preferably designed to be able to control at least 100 of the modules.

The bus is preferably annular or ring-shaped. This is at least a logical ring, for example, a token bus. Preferably, however, it is also electrically a ring, for example, a token ring. The ring-type bus starts at the system control. Subsequently, the bus passes through the individual modules, whereupon it ends again at the system control.

The bus is preferably unidirectional, d. H. it is intended for unidirectional data transmission.

In alternative preferred embodiments, the bus has a line topology and is bidirectional. These embodiments are particularly suitable for high data transfer rates on the bus.

In preferred embodiments of the system according to the invention, the bus is designed for electrical signal transmission in which voltage levels are transmitted differentially. Due to the differential signal transmission, the bus is susceptible to interference. The cable routing for the differential signal transmission is symmetrical.

The voltage levels on the bus preferably have a small difference of less than 1V; more preferably less than 0.5V.

The bus is preferably designed for LVDS signal transmission. Low Voltage Differential Signaling (LVDS) provides a voltage difference between the levels of 0.3V. A standard for LVDS is ANSI / TIA / EIA-644-1995.

The differential signal transmission on the bus is particularly provided for the data including the signaling patterns and the addressing. The bus can also be designed to transmit further data with another method for signal transmission.

The bus preferably comprises n signal lines for n data bits of the data including the signaling patterns and the addressing. The number n is preferably at least two and at most 64; most preferably equal to four.

The bus preferably comprises a further signal line for one time clock, another one Signal line for a transmission status, another signal line for an operating status and / or another signal line for an interrupt request (IRQ). The further signal lines are preferably designed for signal transmission according to LV-TTL.

The bus has a bus clock frequency, preferably at least 1 MHz; more preferably at least 10 MHz; and more preferably at least 30 MHz. As a result, data sets for displaying rapidly changing signaling patterns on modules with many LEDs can be displayed.

In further embodiments of the modular system according to the invention, this comprises a plurality of annular buses. Each of the buses is electrically connected to a selection of the plurality of modules, each forming a segment. Thus, the modular system comprises several segments from each of several of the modules. Each of the segments is electrically connected to the system driver through one of the buses.

The bus is designed for data transmission in accordance with a protocol. In particularly preferred embodiments of the modular system according to the invention, the system drive and the drive units of the modules have a fixed programming for data transmission according to the protocol of the bus. Thus, the data transmission is hardware-based, so that the encoding and decoding of the data for their transmission on the bus is not done with a freely programmable processor with the software thereon.

The protocol for transmitting data on the bus preferably provides for transmission of tokens. The tokens are each a bit sequence that is transmitted in the ring-type bus.

The tokens preferably comprise a module address for addressing the modules, so that an assignment of the signaling patterns to be transmitted to the individual modules can take place.

The drive units of the modules are each preferably configured to consider one of the tokens addressed to them when the module address of the received token is equal to zero. If one of the drive units receives a token with an address which is equal to zero, this drive unit receives the following data, which in particular comprise a signaling pattern, and brings this signaling pattern for playback on this module. Instead of zero, another value could be set for all modules.

The drive units of the modules are also each preferably configured to decrement the module address of a received token if it is greater than zero or greater than the specified value.

The system further preferably allows all modules to be addressed simultaneously with a token. For this purpose, the drive units of the modules are preferably each configured to consider one of the tokens addressed to it when the module address equals a specified global module address.

In preferred embodiments of the system according to the invention, the system drive, the drive units and the bus are adapted to change the signaling patterns to be displayed on all modules with a frequency which is at least 10 Hz; particularly preferably at least 25 Hz. In these embodiments, the system driver is configured to output the signaling patterns for all modules in their entirety at said frequency. The bus is adapted to transmit the signaling patterns output by the system driver in their entirety at said frequency. The drive units are suitable for receiving the respective signaling pattern provided for them at the said frequency and for providing corresponding currents for operating the LEDs.

In preferred embodiments of the system according to the invention, the modules each comprise a circuit board on which the LEDs and the drive unit are arranged and electrically connected to one another. Thus, the modules are preferably each a one-board solution.

In particularly preferred embodiments of the system according to the invention, the drive units each comprise a module computing unit, which is formed by a circuit with programmable logic. The module computing unit is designed to convert the signaling patterns to be displayed into data for the direct control of the LEDs located in the respective module and to make these data available. The programmable logic circuit is preferably an FPGA. The module computing unit furthermore preferably forms an interface to the bus. The interface is used for decoding and coding the data to be transmitted according to the protocol specified for the bus.

The control units are each designed as a matrix engine, ie that they are used to convert the transmitted signaling patterns into electrical signals for driving the individual LEDs are formed.

The drive units preferably each comprise at least one frame buffer. The at least one frame buffer is preferably formed in an FPGA and can be written and read simultaneously.

In particularly preferred embodiments of the modular system according to the invention, the drive units each comprise two of the image repetition memories. In this case, the drive units are each configured to control the LEDs either with the content of the first frame buffer or with the contents of the second frame buffer, for which the drive units can be switched accordingly. Accordingly, the drive units are designed to describe the image refresh memory not used for the control with received data. Thus, the two frame memories are alternately active or passive, d. H. their content is played or changed alternately.

In preferred embodiments of the modular system according to the invention, the totality of the LEDs of each of the modules is operable by the drive unit at a frame rate which is at least 20 Hz; particularly preferably at least 25 Hz. This makes the system suitable for playing back moving pictures.

The LEDs of the modules are preferably each arranged in a matrix. Thus, the LEDs are arranged in rows and columns, wherein the number of LEDs in each row of the matrix need not be equal, and the number of LEDs in each column of the matrix need not be equal.

The LEDs of the modules are each arranged in the form of a matrix in the form of a rectangle. Thus, the number of LEDs in each row of the matrix is the same and the number of LEDs in each column of the matrix is the same. Alternatively, the LEDs of the modules are each arranged in the form of a matrix and in the form of a pictogram. The pictogram is preferably formed by an arrow, by a triangle or by a circle. The pictogram can also symbolize a person or an action.

The modules preferably each comprise at least 100 LEDs; particularly preferably in each case at least 1,000 LEDs. The matrix arrangement preferably comprises at least 10 columns; more preferably at least 20 columns. The matrix arrangement preferably comprises at least 10 lines; more preferably at least 20 lines.

The LEDs of the modules are preferably arranged in each case in a plane, so that the modules are formed flat. This is especially given in those embodiments in which the LEDs are arranged together on a circuit board.

In a preferred embodiment of the system according to the invention, the planar modules are arranged together in one plane. This results in a large flat surface for displaying the signaling, which is advantageous, for example, for displaying moving images.

In alternatively preferred embodiments, the sheet-like modules are arranged not as a plane but as side surfaces of a body. The body is preferably a cuboid, a prism or a pyramid. It does not have to be arranged in each side surface of the body of one of the modules. Particularly preferably, the system comprises at least four of the sheet-like modules, which are arranged as sides of a cube. In this way, the system can be arranged at a point in a room, whereby the signaling for passers-by is recognizable from all directions.

In simple preferred embodiments, the LEDs of each of the modules emit monochrome and the same color light.

In preferred embodiments, the LEDs of each of the modules are formed by RGB LEDs. With these RGB LEDs, all colors of the corresponding RGB color space can be displayed, so that a reproduction of color images and colored moving image with the modules is possible.

The system driver preferably has a video interface for receiving a video signal. The system control is preferably designed to convert the video signal into the signaling pattern to be transmitted to the modules, for which it preferably comprises an MPEG decoder. The video interface is preferably digital. Most preferably, the video interface is an HDMI.

The system control preferably has at least one data interface for receiving data. The system control is designed to receive the received To convert data into the signaling patterns to be transmitted to the modules. The data interface is preferably formed by a LAN module or by a USB module.

The system controller preferably has at least one wireless data interface for the wireless reception of data. The system driver is designed to convert the wirelessly received data into the signaling patterns to be transmitted to the modules. The wireless data interface is preferably formed by a WLAN module, by an LTE radio module, by a Bluetooth module or by a WiFi access module.

Further advantages, details and developments of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, with reference to the drawing. Show it:

1 a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a modular optical signaling system according to the invention;

2 a block diagram of another preferred embodiment of the modular system according to the invention;

3 : a block diagram of an in 1 shown module; and

4 : a block diagram of an in 1 shown system control.

1 shows a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a modular optical signaling system according to the invention. The system includes several LED modules 01 , each one an LED matrix 02 (shown in 3 ) and a drive unit 03 (shown in 3 ). With the LED matrices 02 For example, optical signals may be reproduced which include, for example, pictograms, text or images. The LED modules 01 are on a carrier 04 arranged so that the LED matrices 02 (shown in 3 ) experience a spatial arrangement. For example, the LED matrices 02 be arranged in a plane or as side surfaces of a cube.

The system according to the invention comprises a system control 06 which serves the data of the signaling to be displayed for the LED modules 01 provide. A ring-type bus is used to transmit this data 07 who at the system control 06 starts, through all LED modules 01 is looped through and back to the system control 06 ends. The number of LED modules 01 This can be changed by adding more LED modules to the ring-type bus 07 be inserted or that one or more of the LED modules 01 from the ring-like bus 07 be removed.

2 shows a block diagram of another preferred embodiment of the modular system according to the invention. This embodiment includes three of the buses 07 , each one part of the LED modules 01 with the system control 06 connect. The by each one of the buses 07 connected LED modules 01 are on one of the carriers 04 arranged and form a segment.

3 shows a block diagram of one of in 1 shown LED modules 01 , The LED module 01 includes the LED matrix 02 and the drive unit 03 , which are arranged together on a board (not shown). An essential component of the drive unit is an FPGA 08 through which a central processing unit 09 , a serial data bus interface 11 , a frame buffer 12 in the form of a dual-port RAM and a control unit with address counter 13 are realized.

The serial data bus interface 11 forms an entrance 14 and an exit 16 the drive unit 03 , The entrance 14 and the exit 16 are by bus 07 (shown in 1 ) connect to. About the bus 07 There is also a power supply 17 of the module 01 ,

The central processing unit 09 has access to a program memory 18 , which is formed by a NOR flash EEPROM. The central processing unit 09 controls an LED driver 19 which is the individual LEDs of the LED matrix 02 energized.

4 shows a block diagram of in 1 shown system control 06 , The system control 06 includes a central processing unit 21 that has a Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter 22 and via a serial data bus interface 23 with an FPGA 24 connected is. Through the FPGA 24 is an entrance 26 and an exit 27 for connection of the system control 06 to the ring-like bus 07 (shown in 1 ) educated. The exit 27 makes the beginning of the ring-shaped bus 07 while the entrance 26 the end of the ring-like bus 07 forms.

About the central processing unit 21 is a data communication of the system control 06 with external computers, networks and data sources possible. This is a serial data bus interface 28 , USB connections 29 , a UART USB adapter 31 and an ethernet adapter 32 as well as an SD card reader 33 available. There are also four mini-PCI slots 34 present, via a USB hub 36 to the central processing unit 21 are coupled. The mini PCI slots 34 are intended for expansion modules (not shown), such as an RS232 interface module, a WiFi interface module, a Bluetooth interface module or a CAN interface module.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

01

LED module

02

LED matrix

03

control unit

04

carrier

05

06

system control

07

bus

08

FPGA

09

central processing unit

10

11

serial data bus interface

12

refresh memory

13

Control unit with address counter

14

entrance

15

16

output

17

power supply

18

program memory

19

LED driver

20

21

central processing unit

22

Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter

23

serial data bus interface

24

FPGA

25

26

entrance

27

output

28

serial data bus interface

29

USB connection

30

31

UART-USB adapter

32

Ethernet adapter

33

SD card reader

34

Mini-PCI slot

35

36

USB hub

Claims (9)

Modular optical signaling system comprising: - at least two modules ( 01 ) each having a plurality of LEDs ( 02 ) and each with a drive unit ( 03 ) for individually controlling the LEDs ( 02 ), the LEDs ( 02 ) of the modules ( 01 ) are each arranged like a matrix in the form of a rectangle or in the form of a pictogram; - a system control ( 06 ) for the digital control of the several modules ( 01 ), whereby the system control ( 06 ) is adapted to individual signaling patterns for the plurality of modules ( 01 ), wherein the signaling patterns in each case by the respective module ( 01 ) represent image to be reproduced by the respective illuminated LEDs ( 02 ) is representable; and - a digital bus ( 07 ), by which the system control ( 06 ) with the control units ( 03 ) of the several modules ( 01 ) is electrically connected; where the system control ( 06 ) is adapted to a plurality of modules ( 01 ) to address the signaling patterns addressed as logical commands via the digital bus ( 07 ) transferred to; and wherein the drive units ( 03 ) of the modules ( 01 ) are adapted to the addressed signaling patterns via the digital bus ( 07 ) and for each module ( 01 ) provided signaling pattern with the LEDs ( 02 ), for which the control units ( 03 ) each for converting the transmitted signaling pattern into electrical signals for controlling the individual LEDs ( 02 ) are formed. Modular system according to claim 1, characterized in that the digital bus ( 07 ) is annular. Modular system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the digital bus ( 07 ) is designed for electrical signal transmission, in which voltage levels are transmitted differentially. Modular system according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the digital bus ( 07 ) is designed for data transmission in accordance with a protocol, wherein the system control ( 06 ) and the control units ( 03 ) of the modules ( 01 ) have a fixed programming for data transmission according to the protocol. Modular system according to claim 4, characterized in that the protocol provides for transmission of tokens. Modular system according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the modules ( 01 ) each comprise a board on which the LEDs ( 02 ) and the control unit ( 03 ) are arranged and electrically connected. Modular system according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the drive units ( 03 ) each a module computing unit ( 08 ) formed by a programmable logic circuit. Modular system according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the LEDs ( 02 ) of the modules ( 01 ) are each arranged in one plane so that the modules ( 01 ) are formed flat. Modular system according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises at least four of flat modules ( 01 ) arranged as sides of a cube.

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