Modular Display Panel

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention are related to modular display panels. In one embodiment, a modular display panel includes a first side which includes a display surface, and an opposite second side. The modular display panel further includes a plastic enclosure including an outer surface that forms substantially all of the second side. The modular display panel further includes LEDs arranged as pixels attached to a printed circuit board which is attached to the plastic enclosure. The modular display panel further includes a circuit for controlling the LEDs and a power source for powering the LEDs. The front side of the printed circuit board is sealed to be waterproof and the plastic enclosure is sealed to be waterproof so that the modular display panel is sealed to be waterproof.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A modular display panel comprising:
 a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, wherein the first side of the modular display panel comprises a display surface of the modular display panel, wherein the modular display panel is configured to be attached with other modular display panels to form a multi-panel modular display;   a plastic enclosure comprising an outer surface of the modular display panel, the outer surface of the plastic enclosure forming substantially all of the second side of the modular display panel;   a printed circuit board comprising a front side and an opposite back side, the opposite back side being attached to the plastic enclosure;   a plurality of LEDs arranged as pixels attached to a front side of the printed circuit board, wherein the pixels are arranged in a rectangular array comprising at least fifty pixels;   a framework of louvers disposed over the front side of the printed circuit board between rows of the plurality of LEDs;   a circuit for controlling the plurality of LEDs, the circuit being attached to the printed circuit board;   a power supply for powering the plurality of LEDs;   wherein the front side of the printed circuit board is sealed to be waterproof and the plastic enclosure is sealed to be waterproof so that the modular display panel is sealed to be waterproof;   wherein the modular display panel is configured to be exposed to an external environment without a protective waterproof enclosure; and   wherein the modular display panel is configured to be cooled passively without fans.   
     
     
         2 . The modular display panel of  claim 1 , further comprising a sealing compound disposed over the front side of the printed circuit board, wherein the front side of the printed circuit board is sealed to be waterproof by the sealing compound. 
     
     
         3 . The modular display panel of  claim 1 , wherein the modular display panel is configured to be operational when submerged in water up to a depth of one meter. 
     
     
         4 . The modular display panel of  claim 3 , wherein the modular display panel is further configured to be operational when submerged in water to a depth greater than one meter. 
     
     
         5 . The modular display panel of  claim 1 , wherein the power supply is mounted over the outer surface of the plastic enclosure. 
     
     
         6 . The modular display panel of  claim 1 , wherein the power supply is disposed within the plastic enclosure. 
     
     
         7 . The modular display panel of  claim 1 , wherein the power supply comprises an alternating current/direct current (AC/DC) converter, and wherein the power supply is configured to receive AC power and output DC power to the plurality of LEDs. 
     
     
         8 . The modular display panel of  claim 1 , wherein the power supply comprises a down converter that down converts a direct current (DC) voltage at a first level to a DC voltage at a second level, the second level being lower than the first level. 
     
     
         9 . The modular display panel of  claim 1 , further comprising an integrated data and power connector comprising:
 data connectors surrounded by an end enclosure, each of the data connectors configured to fit into an opposite type of data connectors of another integrated data and power connector, wherein the data connectors are configured to carry data to the circuit for controlling the plurality of LEDs;   power connectors surrounded by the end enclosure, each of the power connectors configured to fit into an opposite type of power connectors of the another integrated data and power connector, wherein the power connectors are configured to carry power to the plurality of LEDs; and   a sealing cover configured to prevent moisture from reaching inside the integrated data and power connector.   
     
     
         10 . The modular display panel of  claim 1 , further comprising a receiver card configured to receive external data and provide the external data to the circuit for controlling the plurality of LEDs, the receiver card comprising a unique network address. 
     
     
         11 . A modular display panel comprising:
 a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, wherein the first side of the modular display panel comprises a display surface of the modular display panel, wherein the modular display panel is configured to be attached with other modular display panels to form a multi-panel modular display;   a plastic enclosure comprising an outer surface of the modular display panel, the outer surface of the plastic enclosure forming substantially all of the second side of the modular display panel;   a recess disposed in the plastic enclosure;   a printed circuit board disposed in the recess, the printed circuit board comprising a front side and an opposite back side, wherein the recess surrounds the opposite back side of the printed circuit board;   a plurality of LEDs arranged as pixels attached to the front side of the printed circuit board, wherein the pixels are arranged in a rectangular array comprising at least fifty pixels;   a sealing compound disposed over the front side of the printed circuit board;   a circuit for controlling the plurality of LEDs;   a power supply for powering the plurality of LEDs;   wherein the front side of the printed circuit board is sealed to be waterproof by the sealing compound and the plastic enclosure is sealed to be waterproof so that the modular display panel is sealed to be waterproof;   wherein the modular display panel is configured to be exposed to an external environment without a protective waterproof enclosure; and   wherein the modular display panel is configured to be cooled passively without fans.   
     
     
         12 . The modular display panel of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a network of support structures extending into the recess from the plastic enclosure towards the printed circuit board, wherein the printed circuit board is attached to the plastic enclosure by the network of support structures.   
     
     
         13 . The modular display panel of  claim 11 , wherein the modular display panel is configured to be operational when submerged in water up to a depth of one meter. 
     
     
         14 . The modular display panel of  claim 13 , wherein the modular display panel is further configured to be operational when submerged in water to a depth greater than one meter. 
     
     
         15 . The modular display panel of  claim 11 , wherein the power supply is mounted over the outer surface of the plastic enclosure. 
     
     
         16 . The modular display panel of  claim 11 , wherein the power supply comprises an alternating current/direct current (AC/DC) converter, and wherein the power supply is configured to receive AC power and output DC power to the plurality of LEDs. 
     
     
         17 . The modular display panel of  claim 11 , wherein the power supply comprises a down converter that down converts a direct current (DC) voltage at a first level to a DC voltage at a second level, the second level being lower than the first level. 
     
     
         18 . The modular display panel of  claim 11 , further comprising an integrated data and power connector comprising:
 data connectors surrounded by an end enclosure, each of the data connectors configured to fit into an opposite type of data connectors of another integrated data and power connector, wherein the data connectors are configured to carry data to the circuit for controlling the plurality of LEDs;   power connectors surrounded by the end enclosure, each of the power connectors configured to fit into an opposite type of power connectors of the another integrated data and power connector, wherein the power connectors are configured to carry power to the plurality of LEDs; and   a sealing cover configured to prevent moisture from reaching inside the integrated data and power connector.   
     
     
         19 . A modular display panel comprising:
 a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, wherein the first side of the modular display panel comprises a display surface of the modular display panel, wherein the modular display panel is configured to be attached with other modular display panels to form a multi-panel modular display;   a plastic enclosure comprising an outer surface of the modular display panel, the outer surface of the plastic enclosure forming the modular display panel, the plastic enclosure comprising a first recess and a second recess;   a printed circuit board comprising a front side and an opposite back side, the opposite back side being attached to the plastic enclosure and disposed in the first recess;   a plurality of LEDs arranged as pixels attached to a front side of the printed circuit board, wherein the pixels are arranged in a rectangular array comprising at least fifty pixels;   a framework of louvers disposed over the front side of the printed circuit board between rows of the plurality of LEDs;   a power supply for powering the plurality of LEDs and disposed in the second recess;   wherein the front side of the printed circuit board is sealed to be waterproof and the plastic enclosure is sealed to be waterproof so that the modular display panel is sealed to be waterproof;   wherein the modular display panel is configured to be exposed to an external environment without a protective waterproof enclosure; and   wherein the modular display panel is configured to be cooled passively without fans.   
     
     
         20 . The modular display panel of  claim 19 , wherein the power supply is mounted over the outer surface of the plastic enclosure. 
     
     
         21 . The modular display panel of  claim 19 , wherein the power supply is disposed within the plastic enclosure. 
     
     
         22 . The modular display panel of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 a network of support structures extending from the plastic enclosure towards the printed circuit board, wherein the printed circuit board is attached to the plastic enclosure by the network of support structures.   
     
     
         23 . The modular display panel of  claim 19 , wherein the modular display panel is configured to be operational when submerged in water up to a depth of one meter. 
     
     
         24 . The modular display panel of  claim 23 , wherein the modular display panel is further configured to be operational when submerged in water to a depth greater than one meter. 
     
     
         25 . The modular display panel of  claim 23 , wherein the power supply comprises an alternating current/direct current (AC/DC) converter, and wherein the power supply is configured to receive AC power and output DC power to the plurality of LEDs. 
     
     
         26 . The modular display panel of  claim 23 , wherein the power supply comprises a down converter that down converts a direct current (DC) voltage at a first level to a DC voltage at a second level, the second level being lower than the first level. 
     
     
         27 . The modular display panel of  claim 19 , wherein a surface of each of the plurality of LEDs is exposed to the external environment. 
     
     
         28 . The modular display panel of  claim 19 , further comprising an integrated data and power connector comprising:
 data connectors surrounded by an end enclosure, each of the data connectors configured to fit into an opposite type of data connectors of another integrated data and power connector, wherein the data connectors are configured to carry data to a circuit for controlling the plurality of LEDs;   power connectors surrounded by the end enclosure, each of the power connectors configured to fit into an opposite type of power connectors of the another integrated data and power connector, wherein the power connectors are configured to carry power to the plurality of LEDs; and   a sealing cover configured to prevent moisture from reaching inside the integrated data and power connector.   
     
     
         29 . The modular display panel of  claim 19 , further comprising a receiver card configured to receive external data and provide the external data to a circuit for controlling the plurality of LEDs, the receiver card comprising a unique network address. 
     
     
         30 . A modular display panel comprising:
 a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, wherein the first side of the modular display panel comprises a display surface of the modular display panel, wherein the modular display panel is configured to be attached with other modular display panels to form a multi-panel modular display;   means for emitting light;   means for housing the means for emitting light, the means for housing being made of plastic and comprising an outer surface of the modular display panel, the outer surface of the means for housing forming the second side of the modular display panel;   means for holding the means for emitting light, the means for holding comprising a front side and an opposite back side, the opposite back side being attached to the means for housing, the means for emitting light arranged as pixels attached to a front side of the means for holding, wherein the pixels are arranged in a rectangular array comprising at least fifty pixels;   means for controlling the means for emitting light, the means for controlling being attached to the means for holding;   means for powering the means for emitting light;   wherein the front side of the means for holding is sealed to be waterproof and the means for housing is sealed to be waterproof so that the modular display panel is sealed to be waterproof; and   wherein the modular display panel is configured to be exposed to an external environment without a protective waterproof enclosure.