GB2331174A - Rotary display - Google Patents

Abstract

A display comprises a circular ring on which are mounted a plurality of light sources. In use the ring is rotated and the light sources controlled to produce a three dimemsional display, such as a world globe. The display may be static or moving.

Description

DESCRIPTION The placing of flashing lights on a spinning shape or frame has been known and used for many years.

Our device takes this process a stage further by electronically programming each light individually for every fraction of rotation, a full visual image is then generated from the rapid rotation of the shape holding the lights, this device will produce an impression of real solid pictorial images. For example, the image of a spherical globe of the world can be made from the electronic programming of lights on a rotating circular ring. The surface of the ring is covered with sufficient lights to produce a flill image when the ring is rotated rapidly. Each light is individually programmed for every small fraction of a rotation to produce a static or slowly moving image. More than one spinning shape, of the same or different sizes, as well as different different shapes may be used to enhance the imagery. Electronic equipment may also be provided to convert incoming television radio wave input signals, or film or video imput into moving image visual output produced by the rotating lights. Parallel beaming of the lights ts could also be used in order to produce a three dimensional ef fect. Part of the electronics for the lights may be positioned on the spinning shape using printed circuits which may also carry the lights. The motor which rotates the shape can either be positioned inside or outside the rotating shape. The programmed electronic imagery is synchronised with the variable speed of rotation.

Claims (1)

1. CLAIM We hereby claim any assembly of a programmable series of lights, that are variable in colour and brightness, where these lights are fixed onto a retaining structure that can either be curved or straight or shaped to form a rectangle, circle or any suitable geometrical or other design, any of these assemblies can be rotated about a stationary or moveable axis, at a suitable speed to give the appearance of a solid object such as a sphere or cylinder or cone etc. where the lights are electroni- cally programmed to produce a static or rotating pictorial image, for example the depiction of the world upon a sphere, moving images such as those used for television/film can also be programmed to appear on the visual surface of these spinning shapes, for example, the rotation of a rectangle, which would form a cylinder when spinning, could display one or more television programs when viewed from a different stand point.

   A three dimensional image can also be produced by using suitably programmed parallel beamed lights, positioned on either the inner side or outside of the spinning assembly.