Technology has always done one thing better than most and that is to improve upon itself with every generation of device. Cars are an easy gauge for how things have improved from year to year, especially recently, with cars boasting 50 miles per gallon to even running solely on electricity, removing the need for fossil fuels to supply the power for travel. Computers have gone through several upgrades, from being the room sized giants that worked on punch cards to now being less than a half inch thick and completely portable. Cell phones which started off looking like a brick with an antenna are now the size of a playing card, and do far more than just answering and placing calls.
The same can be shown in the development of electronic displays. The largest improvements in the electronic displays has been the inclusion and advancement of LED technology. In the past, simple bulbs were the light source for most electronic displays and were the source of plenty of headaches when the bulbs had to be replaced frequently. They were also highly vulnerable to the elements and rapid changes in temperature also affected their ability to shine.
When the first generation of electronic LED display signs were released, the most notable improvement was the longevity of the devices over the predecessors. The color options were limited, but it showed a step in the right direction toward a more reliable and efficient means of data display. The technology was perfectly suited for outdoor LED signs as well, increasing the demand for electronic LED display signs in a variety of commercial and retail outlets. In many ways, LED technology sparked the popularity of electronic displays and placed the devices virtually everywhere.
We see examples of the signs and technology on the highway, with message boards displaying traffic information and possible crashes down the road.
When we drive to the bank drive-thru service, the ‘OPEN’ and ‘CLOSED’ signs are an example of outdoor LED signs in the form of message boards. It is an improvement over the stop light system that had been used for a long time, which suffered from the problems that plague many bulb based systems.
LED Matrix signs do a variety of things, like serving as a scoreboard’s electronic LED display. These signs are capable of a full matrix of colors and images, and can show video and data easily. All of this is controlled wirelessly, allowing for ease of operation.
There are even LED badges that can be worn on clothing, which is one of the simpler applications for electronic displays. An LED badge is a great way to grab the attention of a potential client or customer and inform them of some important information, such as a name, before getting down to business.
Many clock systems and outdoor signs also use electronic LED display systems, such as bank signs displaying advertisements, time and temperature. This is very similar to the technology in a nightstand clock.
The technology itself has proven to be able to be used in a tremendous number of places, showing a huge variety of possible applications for businesses and retail venues to sports arenas. This generation of technology offers the largest variety of devices for the consumer world and can only grow from here.