GB2456141A

GB2456141A - Display means arranged as a virtual window

Info

Publication number: GB2456141A
Application number: GB0800025A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Eric Atherton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-01-02
Filing date: 2008-01-02
Publication date: 2009-07-08
Also published as: GB0800025D0

Abstract

A display means for mounting on an area viewable by an observer comprising a set of at least two display panels (12-17) each display panel in the set being separated from its neighbour by an intermediate non-display region (20, 21, 24), the set being provided with control means to enable an image to be provided on each panel in the set for viewing by the observer; at least one of the intermediate regions contributes to the totality of the image provided by the set to the observer. Typically the display means provides an image on the display panels representing a view through a window or other aperture in a wall and the, or each, intermediate region is a frame or other member incorporated in the window or aperture. The present arrangement is used to create a virtual window which may be located in a windowless environment to improve the psychological well being of the occupants.

Description

DISPLAY MEANS

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a display means and it is particularly, though not exclusively concerned with a display means for use in reducing stress.

BACKGROUND ART

The use of a window to allow the entry of light to illuminate an activity in a room has been widely used for centuries. The complementary ability to look out through a window to view objects near and far is satisfying if not always a functional requirement for an observer in the room. Research has shown that the provision of a window to view an outside environment is psychologically and physiologically beneficial to humans. Further research has shown that a windowless environment has a number of psychologically adverse effects on a user of the environment.

The use of electronic display screens to display information and pictures are well known, By way of example Figure 11 of the accompanying drawings shows a display wall WI for a financial dealing room for showing, for example, the current state of share prices.

In this usage the panels P1 -P4 show information which in a similar format on each screen without adjacent screens showing information which is clearly visually connected with that on adjacent screens. * **

2 Figure 2 shows what is often termed a video wall' Vi on which multiple displays are * *** *.. . used cumulatively to show a single picture. Such video walls are frequently used in i.. ** connection with sporting events in order either to provide a large number of spectators **** with another view of an event which they can view directly or to provide a view to a * further number of spectators who are otherwise unable to view the event directly though they may be able to hear related sounds. In relation to video displays effort is (2) made to minimise the gap between individual displays so as to give to an observer the impression of a single overall display. It is believed that if a single display was cost effective then it would be used in preference to multiple displays.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a display means for mounting on an area viewable by an observer comprising a set of at least two display panels each display panel in the set being separated from its neighbour by an intermediate region, the set being provided with control means to enable an image to be provided on each panel in the set for viewing by the observer; at least one of the intermediate regions serving to contribute to the totality of the image provided by the set to the observer.

According to a first preferred version of the present invention wherein the control mears of the set enables any one of a number of images to be provided by way of the set in conjunction with the at least one intermediate region.

According to a second preferred version of the present invention or of the first preferred version thereof the display means provides an image to the observer representing a window or other aperture in a wall and the or each intermediate region represents a frame or other member incorporated in the window or aperture.

The positive use of one or more of the intermediate regions to contribute to the totality of the image provided by the display means of the present invention in its several .2 versions provides a substantial advance over existing window substitutes. The *...

* ... proposed concept enables eextensive use of visual clues to blend the monitors into the *::::* surroundings of the room. The surrounds to the display panels can be customised so :" that the display surrounds blend and/or complement a given specific room decor.

*.. The display panels can be a mixture of portrait and landscape configurations to further *..30 soften the impression of it being a video wall but rather a window sympathetically (3) blending into the room decor. Visual clues like curtains, blinds, window catches, window locks can also be incorporated into the context of the display. in the case of a display of a view through a window some of the windows shown can simulate an open configuration as distinct from other closed' windows.

In a further embodiment window glass can be located in front of the actual display panels actual monitors. This could be used in connection with old buildings where the use of less than perfectly flat sheets of window glass with local areas producing a locally distorted area to enhance the visual illusion sympathetic to the building.

Again embodiments can be used to simulate a revolving restaurant with slowing moving external display to mirror a live or recorded feed from famous revolving restaurant locations such as those at Niagara Falls, Seattle or London.

BRIEF DEscRIPTIoN OF DRAWINGS

Figure 1 discussed earlier is a front view of a known type of panel display unit for use in displaying financial information with the panels in a working configuration in a mounting.

Figure 2 also discussed earlier is a front view of a pictorial view in which each panel contributes a part of a picture.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings of a display means of which: *:::* Figure 3 and 4 are perspective views of a display unit shown in different stages of *2 virtual display; * .* S * Figures 5 and 6 are side views of the display unit of Figures 3 and 4, Figure 5 showing the unit in a working configuration and Figure 6 showing the unit in a servicing *.S.*S * configuration. * ** * S S * ** S. S * * *S (4)

Figures 3 and 4 variously show a display unit 11 comprising six display panels 12-17 (panels 12 -14 being in a landscape mode and panels 15 -17 in a portrait mode). The display panels 12-17 are located in a frame 18.

The panels 12 -17 are spaced apart and have between them intermediate regions made up of vertical regions 19 -22 and horizontal regions 23 -25.

Figures 5 and 6 show the display unit 11 mounted on a wall W by a pivot P whereby the display can be moved between a vertical working configuration (Figure 5) and an open servicing configuration (Figure 6). Arrangement facilitates initial installation of the display unit 11 and subsequent operations on it such as servicing. A stay S limits the outward movement of the unit 11.

What is shown on the panels 12 -17 is regulated by way of a data processing unit 26 incorporated in the unit 11. The unit 26 can be controlled either locally or remotely or a combination of both.

Reverting to Figure 3 unit the display unit 11 is shown located on an un-pierced wall W of a restaurant. In this case panels 12 -17 show a combination of images as seen through a window showing in the foreground and middle distance a wall extending into the distance besides which is a road. The background shows a row of hills. This view is envisaged by a viewer as lying outside the restaurant. Typically the images are coloured to accord with a particular season of the year. Typically this can correspond to the actual season experienced by diners in the restaurant or to that of another * ** season. In addition to seasonal variation the display can be changed, such as in real **** time, to reflect changing times of day or changes in view such as would arise from a **. *, rotating restaurant or from a moving train or ship. S..

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*ISS I. * I * Intermediate regions comprising vertical regions 19 -22 and horizontal regions 23 -25 represent frame members of the window and can be finished to appear as, or be (5) formed from, wood, metal or stone. The panels 12-17 display those parts of the landscape image which are not screened by the intermediate regions 19 -25. That is to say the images shown on the displays taken in conjunction with the intermediate regions provide as a totality a view of a garden as viewed through a window including window frames. The overall effect on the users of the restaurant is to enhance their sense of well-being by creating an impression of a scene through a window. The sub-conscious effect has been found to be substantial. By using the intermediate regions to simulate what can be described as expected adjuncts to the scene the effect of realism is increased in a way that would not arise by including the frames as an element in the displayed picture.

Figure 4 shows the display unit of Figure 3 with added real curtains C and window catches HI -H3 and VI, V2. This combination of known adjuncts of a window with the virtual image shown adds to the visual effect experienced by a viewer in the restaurant.

The exemplary embodiments involve a view of a landscape. This could be a fixed image with no variation in scenes, season time or colour. However available data handling system can be readily adapted to provide other images. As touched on earlier these could be views of any type of scene varying, for example, in time of day, season, colours or movement or combinations of these. The scene could include or comprise moving objects. The images could be varied such as by taking real time outputs from existing camera output from any location. Thus in a Chinese restaurant the images could be ones associated with that country. * ** * S * S * S..

* ... The display unit could have displayed images enhanced with sounds from, for *..*, example, concealed loudspeakers. Rather than a landscape the images can include any *e** *....: desired context such as, for example, a beach, a forest, a building interior or exhibits ::; from a museum or art gallery. The display can show a moving or a static image or a (6) sequence of such images. The intermediate regions can be selected appropriately to enhance the beneficial effects of the images on a viewer.

Apart from the unit 11 being mounted on a wall W as shown in Figures 3 and 4 it is also envisaged that a false wall could be provided projecting from the wall W by, say, cm into which the unit 11 is set into the false wall to give the impression of depth.

The exemplary embodiment has intermediate regions 19 -25 representing window frames. However the invention is not limited to such items. The intermediate regions can represent any structural or boundary members relating to the image displayed.

Thus the regions could represent a part of a bridge, building, vehicle (land, air or waterborne), theatre, scaffolding or whatever,

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention provides in particular a display means directed to overcoming known psychological and physiological effects associated with of a windowless environment. * ** * S S * ** * S.. * . S... *.*. * S S... * S * *S * S S S 55 5* S * S * S S. (7)

Claims

1 A display means for mounting on an area viewable by an observer comprising a set of at least two display panels each display panel in the set being separated from its neighbour by an intermediate region, the set being provided with control means to enable an image to be provided on each panel in the set for viewing by the observer; at least one of the intermediate regions serving to contribute to the totality of the image provided by the set to the observer.

2 A display means as claimed in Claim I wherein the control means of the set enables any one of a number of images to be provided by way of the set in conjunction with the, or at least one, intermediate region.

3 A display means as claimed in any preceding claim the display means provides an image to the observer representing a window or other aperture in a wall and the or each intermediate region represents a frame or other member incorporated in the window or aperture.

4 A display means as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 3 to 6 of the accompanying drawings. * ** * S S * S. *

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