The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 27, 2011
Filed:
Jun. 28, 2007
Randall R. Heisch, Georgetown, TX (US);
Randall R. Heisch, Georgetown, TX (US);
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);
Abstract
Mechanisms for providing a floating display without moving electronics is provided. The mechanisms include a stationary array of light emitting elements and a moving reflective element. As the reflective element rotates, oscillates, or otherwise moves in a path relative to the array of light emitting elements, a controller controls the illumination, i.e. the pulsing on and off, of the light emitting elements based on a location of the reflective element so as to achieve a desired image, alphanumeric message, graphical display, animated display, or the like. The reflective element may be a reflective sphere having a reflective exterior surface. In this way, the electronics used to generate the floating display are kept stationary while the reflective element is moved along a path of motion to generate the floating image. This reduces the complexity and cost of the electronics needed to generate a floating image.