SEAMLESS ILLUMINATED PANEL

摘要

A device and method of providing a versatile illuminated panel for walls, product displays, and other surfaces is described. Panels are constructed from a variable number of rectangular illuminated tiles, where the tiles mate edge-to-edge so as to create a nearly seamless visual panel effect. Illumination within each tile is uniform to also create a nearly seamless visual panel effect. End-users may create panels of varying sizes and shapes by using different quantities of a standard tile. The software within the invention automatically determines the number and arrangement of tiles within each assembled panel. Each tile comprises a plurality of illuminators, an optical means to distribute light from the illuminators uniformly across the tile, and at least one communication interface. In one embodiment the tiles are linked into a communications tree-structure; and the location of each tile within the tree constitutes its logical address.

主权项

1. A rectangular, modular tile for the purpose of providing illumination comprising: an array of illumination devices configured to provide colored light of different hues and brightness; a processor operatively connected to the illumination devices; three or more communication interfaces operatively connected to the processor adapted to connect to a plurality of similar, adjacent tiles, wherein each tile is adapted to connect mechanically and electrically to one to four adjacent tiles; wherein the improvement comprises:
each tile comprises a base plate and an illumination plate, operatively attached to the base plate, wherein: the base plate comprises: (a) a base plate frame, adapted to mechanically attach to adjacent base plates on four sides, and adapted to be mounted on a structural support surface, and adapted to mechanically, removably attach to the illumination plate; (b) at least three panel electrical interconnection elements, each panel electrical interconnection element associated with one side, adapted to electrically connect to adjacent base plates; wherein each such panel electrical interconnection element supports both power and data transmission; (c) a first processor interconnection element adapted to electrically connect to the illumination plate; and the illumination plate comprises: (a) an illumination plate frame, adapted to mechanically, removably attach to the base plate; (b) an array of light emitting elements (pixels); (c) a second processor interconnection element adapted to electrically connect to the base plate; and (d) a diffusion layer through which light from the array of light emitting elements exits the illumination plate.