Abstract:
A visual display device for vehicles and portable operation is provided, comprising a display arrangement for the display of data and a holding device for securing the display arrangement to the vehicle. Data and/or power may be provided either internally or externally through the holding device to the display arrangement. The visual display device is easily movable to accommodate the user&#39;s preferences, and may be transportable to locations other than the vehicle. Additionally, the visual display unit may function as a wireless terminal for an auxiliary television unit by receiving satellite or wireless transmissions and transmitting these to the auxiliary television unit. Methods for using the visual display device attached to a vehicle and as a portable unit are also provided, allowing for a wide range of data sources and internal power configurations.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of EPO 03019499.7, filed Aug. 28, 2003. The disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Technical Field  
         [0003]     This application relates to a visual display unit for use in vehicles. In particular, this application relates to a display unit that is detachable from a vehicle mount and may be used as a wireless terminal for an external display.  
         [0004]     2. Related Art  
         [0005]     Display units for vehicles integrated into the back of seats or in the headrests of vehicles are known in the prior art. Pocket television sets attachable to vehicle seats by clamping clasps or Velcro strip fasteners are also known. However, both integrated display units and pocket television sets can only be used to a limited extent. Therefore, a need exists for a visual display unit that is easily adapted for use both in a vehicle and as a portable display unit.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0006]     This application provides a display unit system for vehicles. The display unit may include a display arrangement and a holding device that is attachable to an inner structure in the vehicle such that the display unit can be used in a simple and versatile manner, while at the same time is easy to handle. The system also provides a method for using the display unit in a manner attached to a vehicle and a method for using the display unit as a portable device for viewing data.  
         [0007]     Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention will be, or will become, apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the following claims. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]     The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, like referenced numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.  
         [0009]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a visual display unit for a vehicle.  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of a holding device of the visual display unit of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  shows a front perspective view of a display arrangement of the visual display unit of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective rear view of the visual display arrangement of  FIG. 3 .  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  shows an extract of a view of a release means of the display arrangement in an operated state.  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  shows a representation of the fastening process of the display arrangement on the holding device.  
         [0015]      FIG. 7  shows a lateral view of the display unit for a vehicle, with the display arrangement attached to the holding device.  
         [0016]      FIG. 8  shows a perspective view of the display arrangement in a separate, uncoupled state.  
         [0017]      FIG. 9  shows a flow diagram depicting a method for using the visual display device in a coupled configuration.  
         [0018]      FIG. 10  shows a flow diagram depicting a method for using the visual display device in an uncoupled, portable configuration. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0019]      FIG. 1  shows a display unit  1  for a vehicle according to the application comprising a display arrangement  2  and a holding device  3 . The display arrangement  2  may be provided in a state detachably coupled to a coupling arrangement  4  of the holding device  3 . The holding device  3  may be attached to an inner structure of a vehicle (not illustrated). As shown in  FIG. 1 , the inner structure is represented by headrest bars  5  of a vehicle seat (not illustrated). When the display arrangement is attached to the holding device, the display arrangement may be fixed to the inner structure of the vehicle in a stable manner. The inner structure of the vehicle may include the headrests of the vehicle seats, consoles in the vehicle, the dashboard, or any other surfaces available in the vehicle. The vehicle passengers may view visual presentations reproduced by the display arrangement. The holding device  3  may comprise an attachment part  6  by which the holding device  3  is attached to the headrest bars  5 . The attachment part  6  may be connected to the coupling arrangement  4  of the holding device  3  via an arc shaped carrier member  7 .  
         [0020]     The attachment part  6  may comprise a central part  8  and holding jaws  9  detachably fixable on the outside. The central part  8  may have approximately semi-cylindrical recesses  10  on both sides on its outside, and the holding jaws  9  may each have approximately semi-cylindrical recesses  11  on their insides. However, other shapes may be used. When the holding jaws  9  are attached to the central part  8 , a clamping bore  12  is formed by the semi-cylindrical recesses  10  and  11  through which a headrest bar  5 , or other support mechanism within the vehicle, may be passed. The holding jaws  9  may be attached to the central part  8  by means of screws  13 . By driving in the screws  13 , the semi-cylindrical recesses  10  and  11  may be each brought to rest on the respective headrest bar  5  in a clamping manner.  
         [0021]     The display arrangement  2  may be supplied with data and/or power via the holding device  3 . The holding device  3  may be supplied with data and/or power via at least one of the headrest bars  5  or other support structures within the vehicle. Thus, the holding device may be supplied with data and/or power in a space-saving manner and free from obstructions like freely guided cables. The display arrangement may also contain an internal source of power in addition to an external source of power. Such sources of internal power include, but are not limited to, standard alkaline batteries, rechargeable internal batteries such as NiCd, NiMH, or Li cell batteries, solar cell power generation mechanisms, portable fuel cell devices, and mechanical power generation mechanisms such as wind-up crank power generation mechanisms.  
         [0022]     The source of data provided to the visual display unit may be cable-guided data like coaxial cable or RCA cable-directed transmission of television, radio, or Internet signals, or transmission of data stored on memory storage media such as CD, DVD, flash memory or hard-disk drive devices separate from the visual display device. The source of data may also be wireless signals such as radio, television, or satellite broadcasts of radio or television signals, wireless packet data such as WiFi or WiMax Internet signals, cellular telephone signals, and local area network transmissions such as X10, infrared, and Bluetooth transmissions. The carrier member  7  may be hollow, with electric cables being passed through the carrier member  7  from the attachment portion  6  to the coupling arrangement  4 .  
         [0023]     In  FIG. 2 , the holding device  3  is illustrated in more detail. On its upper end  14 , the coupling arrangement  4  may be provided with a bearing projection  16  extending parallel to an upper side  15 . The bearing projection  16  may extend approximately wedge-shaped from the body  18  of the coupling arrangement  4  and may project over the upper side  15 . An outside surface  19  of the bearing projection  16  may form a continuation of a coupling main surface  17  of the coupling arrangement  4 . The coupling main surface  17  may be positioned on a side directly opposite of the display arrangement  2  in a coupled state. By the slot-like bearing joint, the display arrangement and the holding device may be automatically positioned adjacent to one another when attached. The bearing joint may at least partially bear the weight of the display arrangement. The display arrangement may be attached to the holding device in a detachable manner and may be pivoted toward the holding device when attached in a coupled position. In this manner, the display arrangement can be easily attached to the holding device.  
         [0024]     A detachable plug-type connector may be provided between the display arrangement and the holding device when in the coupled state. The plug-type connector forms a coupling force between the display arrangement and the holding device. Thus, the display arrangement can be attached to the holding device by clipping the display arrangement onto the holding device, and the display arrangement remains fixed to the holding device by the coupling force of the plug-type connector. A first plug-type connector  21  may be arranged to project approximately transversely from the coupling main surface  17  on a lower end  20  of the coupling device  4 . The first plug-type connector  21  comprises a first plug part  22 , which, as depicted in  FIG. 2 , may be a male electrical plug part. On the outside, next to the first plug part  22 , first plug-type guides  23  are provided which, as depicted in  FIG. 2 , may be female mechanical plug-type recesses. At least one guiding member also may be provided on the display arrangement and/or on the holding device. The guiding member guides the display arrangement to the holding device in a section-wise manner. This brings the display arrangement and the holding device at least section-wise into a defined position relative to one another when the display arrangement and the holding device are in a coupled state. In this manner, the insertion of the plug-type connector may be facilitated.  
         [0025]      FIG. 3  shows the display arrangement  2  comprising a display module  24  and a base module  25  which, along a mutual side  27 , may be pivotably connected with each other via a pivoting joint  26 . The pivoting joint thereby forms a pivoting axis about which the display module  24  and the base module  25  may pivot.  FIG. 3  shows the display module  24  and the base module  25  in a state folded parallel to each other. The thickness  28  of the display module  24  and the thickness  29  of the base module  25  are thereby together approximately equal to the diameter  30  of the joint  26  alternatively. The thicknesses  28  and  29  together also may be smaller than the diameter  30  of the pivoting joint  26 . The display module can be brought into a desired orientation with respect to the viewing direction of a viewer, either when the display arrangement is operated separately from the vehicle, or when the display arrangement is attached to the holding device. This allows different spatial positions for the base module.  
         [0026]     In a folded state, the display module  24  and the base module  25  may be adjacent to each other. Thus, the unit consisting of the display module and the base module takes up little space in the folded state. In the state folded parallel to one another, the display module and base module are approximately aligned with the joint, or are mounted below the joint. In an unfolded state, as is shown in  FIG. 8 , the display module  24  and the base module  25  may, for instance, enclose an acute or an approximately right angle  31  with each other. The angle  31  is thereby understood as an angle between a rear side  32  of the display module  24  and the base module  25 . The display module may then be supported by the base module on a surface, such as a desk, in a tilt-resistant manner when the display arrangement is operated separately.  
         [0027]     As can further be seen in  FIG. 3 , the display module  24  may include a display  33  on the front side  34 . On the outside of the housing, a headset contact  36  may be provided approximately coaxially to a pivoting axis  35  of the pivoting joint  26 . Thus, when the display module and the base module are pivoted, the headset contact maintains its spatial position relative to both the display module and the base module. Moreover, a volume control  38  may be provided on the outside of the housing on a right-hand side  37  of the display arrangement  2  approximately coaxially to the pivoting axis  35 . Thus, when the display module and the base module are pivoted relatively, the volume control maintains its position relative to both the display module and the base module. As depicted in  FIG. 3 , the volume control  38  is rotatable approximately about the pivoting axis  35 . On the outside of the housing, a menu selector  40  is arranged on a left-hand side  39  of the display arrangement  2  approximately coaxially to the pivoting axis  35 . The menu selector  40  may be, as shown in  FIG. 3 , rotatable approximately about the pivoting axis  35 .  
         [0028]     On both of the right-hand and the left-hand sides  37  and  39  of the display arrangement  2 , an antenna  41  and  42  may be provided on the outside of the base module  25 . The antenna is easy to grasp and handle. The first and second antenna  41  and  42  may each, separately from each other, be pivotable between a retracted position  44  and  45  and an extended position  46  and  47  (see  FIG. 6 ) about an antenna pivoting axis  43  parallel to the pivoting axis  35  of the pivoting joint  26 . Thus, the antenna can easily be brought from one position to another. In  FIG. 3 , both the first antenna  41  and the second antenna  42  are in their retracted positions  44  and  45 . In their retracted positions  44  and  45 , the antennas  41  and  42  may each form an integral outer shape of the base module  25  and cover contacts and/or switches.  
         [0029]     The antenna pivoting axis  43  may be positioned in the region of an outer side  48  of the base module  25  which may be placed opposite the pivoting joint  26 . In the region of the antenna pivoting axis  43 , the antennas  41  and  42  are each enlarged in an approximately arc-shaped manner. The enlargements  49  and  50  may extend in the direction toward a rear side  51  of the base module  25 . The rear side  51  of the base module  25  may face away from the display module  24  when the display arrangement  2  is in a folded state.  
         [0030]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective rear view of the display arrangement  2  in a folded state. The rear side  51  of the base module  25  is also shown. The rear side  51  may have a flat area  53  between the outside  48  of the base module  25  and a joint side  52  of the base module  25 . Adjacent to the flat area  53 , an approximately rounded-off bulge  54  may be provided on the rear side  51  in the region of and parallel toward the outside  48 . The bulge  54  ends approximately transversely to the outside of the flat area  53 . Adjacent to the flat area  53 , the bulge  54  comprises a rounded-off groove  55 . The enlargements  49  and  50  of the antennas  41  and  42  correspond to the bulge  54  of the groove  55 .  
         [0031]     A longitudinal recess  56  may be formed approximately in the center of the area of the groove  55  parallel to the groove  55  and the bulge  54 . The recess  56  may be approximately slot-shaped. The bearing projection  16  of the coupling arrangement  4  can be inserted at least section-wise into the recess  56 . Thus, the display arrangement  2  can be attached to the holding device  3 . Accordingly, when the display arrangement  2  may be detachably attached to the holding device  3 , the recess  56  of the base module  25  and the bearing projection  16  of the coupling arrangement  4  may form an approximately slot-like bearing joint.  
         [0032]     The slot-like bearing joint allows the display arrangement  2  to pivot relative to the holding device  3  about a bearing axis  57 . The bearing axis  57  extends approximately throughout the bottom face of the recess  56  on the side of the base module  25  and approximately throughout the region of an upper edge  58  of the bearing protection  16  of the coupling arrangement  4 . The upper edge  58  comes to rest on the bottom face  59  of the recess  56 . When the display arrangement  2  is attached to the holding device  3 , it can be pivoted toward the holding device  3  about the bearing axis  57 .  
         [0033]     Between a joint side  52  and the pivoting joint  26 , the base module  25 , there exists a joint connection  60 . In a central portion  61 , the joint connection  60  may be recessed. A second plug-type connector  63  may be provided in the recess  62 . The second plug-type connector comprises a second plug part  64  which, according to  FIG. 4 , may be a female electric plug part mating with the first plug part  22  of the coupling arrangement  4 . The first plug part  22  can be inserted at least section-wise into the second plug part  64 . Second plug-type guides  65  may be arranged on the outside of the second plug part  64 . The second plug-type guides  65  may be, according to  FIG. 4 , approximately pin-like male mechanical plug-type guides mating with the first plug-type guides  23  of the coupling arrangement  4 . The second plug-type guides  65  can at least be inserted section-wise into the first plug-type guides  23 . In this manner, a detachable plug-type connection of the display arrangement  2  and the holding device  3  can be accomplished with the aid of the first plug-type connector  21  of the coupling arrangement  4  and the second plug-type connector  63  of the base module  25 . For plugging the first and the second plug-type connectors  22  and  63  together, a clamping force of the plug-type connection must be generated, which constitutes a coupling force of the plug-type connection. The coupling force prevents an unintentional disengagement of the display arrangement  2  from the holding device  3 . According to this arrangement, the coupling force may be generated by the first and second plug part  22  and  64 . To disengage the first and second plug-type connectors  22  and  63  from each other, the coupling force of the plug-type connection must be overcome.  
         [0034]     The base module  25  comprises a release means  66  in the region of the pivoting joint  26  and the joint connection  60 . The release means  66  may be approximately lever-shaped and may extend section-wise into the interior of the base module  25 . The display arrangement can be then brought into a position relative to the holding device, in which the display arrangement can be detached from the holding device. The release means  66  comprises a first lever section  67  formed in an operating key-type manner and located opposite a second lever section  68 . The second lever section  68  comprises two push-cams  69 . The release means may be operable with a first lever section, and the display arrangement may be released out of the coupled position with a second lever section. The lever thereby serves as a transmission gear.  
         [0035]     The first lever section  67  may be exposed and freely accessible due to an opening  70  in the central area of a part  71  of the pivoting joint  26  on the side of the base module. The push-cams  69  project at least section-wise into the inner region of the recess  62  of the joint connection  60 , and are each located on the outside of the second plug-type connector  63 .  
         [0036]     The release means  66  can be pivoted between a retracted position and a released position about a release means pivoting axis (not illustrated), extending approximately parallel to the pivoting axis  35  in the interior of the base module  25 .  FIG. 4  shows the release means  66  in its retracted position.  
         [0037]      FIG. 5  shows a section of the display arrangement  2 , with the release means  66  in its released position. The release means may be thereby moved into the released position against a spring force of an adjustment spring (not illustrated) by pressing fingers  72  onto the first lever section  67 . In the released position, the first lever section  67  may be positioned deeper in the opening  70  than in the retracted position of the release means  66 . Moreover, in the released position, the push-cams  69  each project at least section-wise over the joint connection  60  and out of the recess  62 .  
         [0038]      FIG. 6  shows the display arrangement  2  in a position attached to the holding device  3 . The rear side  51  of the base module  25  and the coupling main surface  17  of the coupling arrangement  4  still enclose an acute angle between each other. By pivoting the display arrangement  2  toward the holding device  3 , the display arrangement  2  may be brought into its coupled position  73 , as is shown in  FIG. 7 . In the coupled position  73 , the display arrangement  2  may be attached to the holding device  3 , the rear side  51  (from  FIG. 6 ) of the base module may be positioned approximately in a co-planar alignment to the coupling main surface  17  of the coupling device  4 . The plug-type connection may be produced by means of the first and second plug-type connectors  21  and  63 .  
         [0039]     The outward pivoting movement of the display arrangement  2  into its coupled position  73  may be accomplished in a direction of the arrow  74  illustrated in  FIG. 6 . When the first and the second plug-type connector  21  and  63  engage with each other, the second plug-type guides  65  are introduced into the first plug-type guides  23 , whereby—in this last section of the approaching pivoting movement—the pivoting movement of the display arrangement  2  may be guided in a directed manner relative to the holding device  3 . When guiding the first and second plug-type guides  23  and  65 , the first and second plug parts  22  and  64  are plugged together by overcoming the coupling force.  
         [0040]     The display arrangement  2  may be released out of its coupled position  73  by actuating the release means  66  through the fingers  72 , which is shown in  FIG. 5 . The push-cams  69  may thereby each push against pushing surfaces  75  provided on the outside, adjacent to the first plug-type connector  21  (compare with  FIG. 2 ). The pushing surfaces  75  may be formed on lateral shoulders  76  approximately co-planar to the coupling main surface  17  of the coupling arrangement  4 . The lateral shoulders  76  may project approximately perpendicularly over the coupling main surface  17  and are formed integrally with the first plug-type connector  21 .  
         [0041]     By pushing the push-cams  69  against the pushing surface  75 , a force may be produced, directed opposite to the direction of arrow  74  shown in  FIG. 6 , pushing the display arrangement  2  relatively away from the holding device  3 . Through this force, the coupling force may be overcome and the display arrangement  2  may be displaced back into a state attached to the holding device  3 . From this attached state, the display arrangement  2  may be brought into a separated state by unhinging the bearing projection  16  from the recess  56 .  
         [0042]      FIGS. 6 and 7  show the antennas  41  and  42  in extended positions  46  and  47 , the extension accomplished by separately rotating each of the antennas  41  and  42  about the antenna pivoting axis  43 . In their extended positions  46  and  47 , the antennas  41  and  42  extend away from the base module  25 . In the extended positions  46  and  47  of the antennas  41  and  42 , recesses  77  and  78 , with contacts  79  and/or switches  80  arranged within the recesses  77  and  78 , re exposed on both sides of the base module  25 . The contacts  79  may be audio inputs and/or outputs. This may allow for various forms of inputs to and outputs from the display arrangement in the exposed areas, such as cable-directed media input or output. In such a configuration, the visual display device may receive radio or coaxial cable directed media from television or disk media like CD&#39;s or DVD&#39;s, flash memory devices, hard-disk drive devices, and packet data such as Internet transmissions. The visual display unit in such a configuration may also output signals such as television signals to external devices like other display units, external display monitors, or other electronic entertainment or data devices. A power supply input may be provided, and one switch may be an ON/OFF switch of the display arrangement  2 .  
         [0043]     The antennas  41  and  42  may be detachable. When detached, external antenna contacts are exposed, each contact provided on the base module  25  approximately coaxially to the antenna pivoting axis  43 . The display arrangement  2  can be supplied with external antenna signals via these external antenna contacts. Such external signals may be broadcast transmissions such as radio, television, satellite broadcasts of radio and/or television, or wireless packet data such as wireless Internet or cellular telephone signals. The antenna contact may also supply the display arrangement with signals from local computer networks such as local area networks (LANs), X10 network signals, infrared signal transmissions, or Bluetooth transmissions to and from other devices located within the vicinity of the visual display device. The antenna contact may be accessible with the antenna removed from the antenna contact. This ensures that the antenna of the display arrangement and an external antenna are used alternatively only.  
         [0044]      FIG. 8  shows the display arrangement  2  separated from the holding device  3 , with the display module  24  unfolded with respect to the base module  25 . The base module  25  lies with its underside approximately flat on a table plate  90 . In this manner, the display unit may be used, for example, as a table unit. Thus, a user may use it on a desk or other surface and, if desired, also install it in the vehicle on the holding device. The first antenna  41  may be in an extended state  46 , with the longitudinal direction of the antenna  41  extending approximately transversely to a surface  83 , on which the display arrangement  2  stands. From the exposed contacts  79  of the recess  77 , one contact  79  arranged adjacent to the pivoting joint  26  may be formed as a main feed terminal  81 . A main cable  82  may be plugged into this main feed terminal  81  through its main feed plug  84 . The display arrangement  2  may be thus supplied with external power. Other contacts  79  may be used for input and/or output signal feeds, including, for example, coaxial and/or RCA cables for supplying a source of data to or from the visual display device.  
         [0045]     In addition,  FIG. 8  shows an antenna joint  85  of the first antenna  41 . The first antenna  41  may be movable about the antenna pivoting axis  43  with the aid of the antenna joint  85 . If the first antenna  41  may be removed, an external antenna contact arranged in the inner region of the antenna joint  85  may be accessible and the external antenna contact may be used for signal feeds such as data sources directed by coaxial or RCA cable. Such signal feeds include, but are not limited to, radio, television, telephone, Internet and other packet switched data.  
         [0046]     When in an uncoupled state, as is illustrated in  FIG. 8 , a satellite signal, such as in a digital form, may be received via antenna  41 . The display arrangement may be used as a satellite receiver for an additional television set. Thus, the display arrangement may be used in terms of an auxiliary device for the additional television set, where it may receive satellite signals and transmit them to the additionally connected television set, via a video output. To accomplish this, the antenna may, if necessary, receive the data—such as digital data—and pass it on to the television set. Thus, the display arrangement may serve as a wireless terminal for an external display of the television set. As mentioned above, the display arrangement may also receive wireless signals such as radio, television, wireless packet data such as WiFi or WiMax Internet signals, cellular telephone signals, and local area network transmissions such as X10, infrared signal, and Bluetooth transmissions. Via the video output  79 , the base module may be connected via a line  92  to an external television set  91 , which is only shown schematically and may correspond to a complete television and/or video system. In this case, the display unit serves as a satellite receiver which, when connected with the television set  91  in the form of an auxiliary device, may supply the data for the operation of the television set  91 . Through the antennas, the display arrangement may serve as a wireless terminal. Examples of wireless signals include signals from local computer networks such as local area networks (LANs), X10 network signals, WiFi or WiMax signals, infrared, or Bluetooth transmissions to and from other devices located within the vicinity of the visual display device.  
         [0047]     The application used as a display unit for vehicles need not necessarily be attached in a vehicle such as a car. Other applications may include stationary locations upon which the visual display device may be attached. In these applications, the display unit may be used as a mobile display unit, which can be brought from the coupled state into the uncoupled state, and vice versa.  
         [0048]     In  FIG. 9 , a method for using the visual display device in a vehicle is shown  900 . First, a visual display device  1  (see  FIG. 1 ) comprising a display arrangement  2  and a holding device  3  may be provided  910 . Second, the visual display device  1  may be supplied with a source of power, whether internal or external  920 . The visual display device may be capable of being supplied with an external source of power, in addition to having its own source of power supplied internally. The external power may be supplied through contacts  79  (see  FIG. 6 ) provided on the visual display device. Third, the visual display device may be supplied with a source of data to be displayed on the visual display unit  930 . The visual display device may be capable of being supplied with an external source of data, in addition to having its own source of data supplied internally. The external data may be supplied through contacts  79  (see  FIG. 6 ) provided on the visual display device. Fourth, the visual display device  1  may be operated, displaying the data supplied to the visual display device  940 .  
         [0049]     In  FIG. 10 , a method for using a visual display device in a portable manner is shown  1000 . First, a visual display device  1  (see  FIG. 1 ), comprising a display arrangement  2  and a holding device  3 , is provided  1010 . Second, the visual display device  1  may be supplied with a source of data  1020 , whether internally supplied or externally supplied. Third, the display arrangement  2  may be removed  1030  from the holding device  3 . Fourth, the display arrangement  2  may be transported  1040  to a location separate from the holding device  3 . Fifth and finally, the display arrangement may be operated by displaying the supplied data  1050 . Alternatively, the supplying of data  1020  may be performed just prior to the operation  1050 , transport  1040 , or removal  1030  of the display arrangement  2  from the holding device  3 . In addition, the display arrangement  2  may alternatively already be uncoupled from the holding device  3 , which eliminates the need for removing  1030  the display arrangement  2  from the holding device  3 .  
         [0050]     In each of the methods  900  and  1000  presented above, the source of data may be cable-guided data like coaxial cable or RCA cable-directed transmission of television, radio, or Internet signals, or transmission of data stored on a memory storage medium such as CD, DVD, flash memory or hard-disk drive devices separate from the visual display device. The source of data may also be wireless signals such as radio, television, or satellite broadcasts of radio or television signals, wireless packet data such as WiFi or WiMax Internet signals, cellular telephone signals, and local area network transmissions such as infrared interfaces, X10 and Bluetooth transmissions. The visual display unit may have an internal source of power, which may be in addition to an external source of power. Such sources of internal power include, but are not limited to, standard alkaline batteries, rechargeable internal batteries such as NiCd, NiMH, or Li cell batteries, solar cell power generation mechanisms, portable fuel cell devices, and mechanical power generation mechanisms such as wind-up crank power generation mechanisms.  
         [0051]     While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents.