Patent Publication Number: US-2005122282-A1

Title: Extension device for a flat panel display and flat panel display

Description:
The invention relates to an expansion device for a flat panel display, and to a flat panel display provided with the expansion device based on the preamble of Claim  1  or Claim  10 .  
      Specifically, the invention relates to an expansion device by which a module, including a computer module, used to store, transmit or process video/graphics information, can be coupled to the flat panel display.  
      Flat panel displays available on the market, which are based on liquid-crystal, plasma or electroluminescence technologies, essentially have a display unit provided with glass substrates and a pixel matrix, the display unit exhibiting an overall diagonal display measurement of more than 100 cm; a driver unit provided with a circuit board; and a housing.  
      The construction of such a flat panel display is described in [1], EP 1 265 210 A1. This reference further indicates that the data for the images to be displayed can be supplied, for example, through a data bus from an external data source.  
      Reference [2], WO 02/25943, further discloses a flat panel display designed as a multimedia playback device in which the modules required to process the television signals and a computer module performing the function of a personal computer are integrated. The user may then, at his option, display a demodulated television signal or a video signal provided by the personal computer modules on the display unit.  
      A disadvantageous aspect of these device is the fact that the flat panel display must be appropriately equipped to accommodate the computer module, with the result being both higher production costs and relatively larger dimensions.  
      In the case of flat panel displays not provided with computer modules and which function in exhibition settings or in large public facilities as information panels, and are for this purpose mounted by means of a mounting device, personal computers in notebook format are often attached in order to provide the computer-generated data or images. To this end, the personal computers are fastened to the flat panel display or the mounting device, for example, by means of straps.  
      Reference [3], EP 1 244 000 A2 discloses an expansion device for a computer module, which device is designed in the form of a drawer-type compartment and is detachably connected to the back of a flat panel display. The expansion device has bulb-shaped recesses which can be inserted into nail-head-shaped fastening elements provided on the back of the flat panel display. The flat panel display can thus be coupled in a modular fashion to the expansion device. When connecting the flat panel display to a mounting device, however, the expansion device exhibits an interfering aspect. Mounting the normally quite heavy flat panel display by attaching the expansion device to the mounting device is not possible since the mounting device could detach from the flat panel display. This problem is solved by the device shown in  FIG. 9  which is the subject of European Patent Application no. 03 405 797.6.  
      The flat panel display  1 ′ shown in  FIG. 9 , which has a display housing  11 ′ with a display unit  12 ′ and a video/graphics processing unit  303 , is connected to a box-shaped expansion device  2 ′ which in turn has device housing  22 ′ which serves to accommodate at least one computer module  31  which is connectable to video/graphics processing unit  303  through a cable  311 .  
      Computer module  31  is detachably connected to the base plate of device housing  22 ′, this base plate being provided with openings through which mounting screws can be passed, by means of which screws device housing  22  is connectable to the supporting structure  10 ′ of flat panel display  1 . This results in a stable mounting of computer module  31  within device hosing  22 ′, and a secure attachment of device housing  22  and display housing  11  to supporting structure  10 ′ of flat panel display  1 ′.  
      The first mounting screws  2161  serving to mount device housing  22 ′ preferably have a first thread connectable to supporting structure  10 ′, and a spacer element which projects into or completely passes through the interior space of device housing  22 ′ and which is provided at the other end with a second thread which serves to accommodate a second mounting screw  2160 . Flat panel display  1 ′ provided with expansion device  2 ′ is connectable to the mounting device  5 ′ and mountable in a stable manner on a rod  6 .  
      The expansion device  2 ′ of  FIG. 9  provided with computer module  31  thus allows for the stable mounting of flat panel display  1 ′. However, flat panel display  1 ′ is provided with an appropriately fitting supporting structure  10 ′ to which both expansion device  2 ′ and mounting device  5  can be attached. This furthermore results in an increased diameter for flat panel display  1 ′. In the event the intention is to mount flat panel display  1 ′ provided with expansion device  2 ′ in another manner, the display&#39;s supporting structure  10 ′ must be adapted accordingly.  
      The goal of the invention is therefore to create an improved expansion device, by means of which the at least one module, including a computer module, can be connected to a flat panel display. A further goal is to create a corresponding flat panel display.  
      Specifically, the goal is to create an expansion device which enables a flat panel display that is of simple design and economical to fabricate to be installed in various ways and at low expense.  
      Furthermore, the modules in the expansion device should be able to be easily augmented and replaced.  
      This goal is achieved by an expansion device and a flat panel display which have the features indicated in Claim  1  or Claim  10 . Advantageous embodiments of the invention are provided in further claims.  
      The expansion device provided to connect a flat panel display serves to accommodate at least one module, including a computer module, which is capable of storing, transmitting or processing video/graphics information which is transmittable to the large-format display unit of the flat panel display, the display unit being held by a supporting structure.  
      According to the invention, the expansion device has a support device which is provided with at least one retaining element which engages a correspondingly designed receiving part of the supporting structure of the flat panel display and which is able to hold the supporting structure in a fixed position relative to the support device.  
      In a first preferred embodiment, the support device is located in a housing of the expansion device, which housing serves to accommodate the modules, and from which device the at least one retaining element projects.  
      In a second preferred embodiment, the support device is composed of a preferably one-piece shaped part provided with at least one retaining element, which shaped part encompasses a interior space capable of accommodating the modules. In this embodiment of the expansion device, no device housing is required. The shaped part forming the support device can be formed by bending a sheet-metal piece such that the at least one end piece projects upward, thereby forming the at least one retaining element. Preferably, both end pieces of the shaped part are bent upward. Openings for loading the support device are preferably provided on the back of the device. On the front, only such openings are preferably provided which serve to connect cables or enable insertion of data media.  
      The flat panel display can thus be provided with a supporting structure of simple design which can be implemented in an economical and space-saving manner, easily connected to the expansion device, or mounted on this device, and thus attached in a universally compatible manner. The expansion device thus serves not only to enable the functional expansion of the flat panel display, but also simultaneously to allow installation of the display according to the needs of the user.  
      The support device provided within the expansion device, which support device is attached in a stable manner to the supporting structure of the flat panel display, and thus forms an extension thereof, allows the flat panel display connected to the expansion device to be set up on the floor. To this end the support device has at least one possibly pivotable foot element, or is connectable to foot elements. Alternatively, the support device can be connected to a mounting device which is held, for example, by a rod or a wall, such that the expansion device is installed in a suspended manner and can then be connected to the flat panel display.  
      Installation of the flat panel display is thus not impeded but noticeably facilitated by the expansion device according to the invention. In addition, different installation variants may be implemented using the expansion device.  
      As a result, the flat panel display can be fabricated in a both mechanically and electronically thin form or minimal configuration, then connected at the installation site to the electronic expansion modules which are located within the expansion device while simultaneously functioning as an installation device. Flat panel displays which thus have minimal dimensions despite the large-format display unit can therefore be fabricated economically and shipped at a reduced transportation cost.  
      Expansion devices according to the invention can be produced at another location and configured according to the requirements of the user.  
      Despite the fact that multiple modules are accommodated, the expansion device can be implemented with dimensions which are essentially determined by the dimensions of the mechanical elements provided for the installation. To this end, the support device is preferably provided on both sides with pillars which have bearing surfaces for the flat panel display and which are interconnected by a center piece. The pillars and center piece form a kind of U-shape section into which one or more modules, for example, computer modules, as well as driver units for magnetic and optical storage media can be inserted. The dimensions of the expansion device are thus essentially determined by the dimensions of the support device which is in turn determined as a function of the load of the flat panel display.  
      Preferably, only a single interface is provided between the expansion device and flat panel display, through which interface video/graphics information is transmitted wirelessly or by wire, for example, by means of LVDS signals. Preferably, all modules which are provided in the expansion device and transmit video/graphics information to the display unit are compatible with this interface, such that in principle all of these modules can be connected to this interface. In order to provide selective connection of one or more modules to this interface, a switching unit is provided according to the invention which is controllable through a control unit. 
    
    
      The following discussion explains the invention in more detail based on the drawings.  
       FIG. 1  shows a flat panel display  1  according to the invention on which is mounted an expansion device  2  according to the invention in which multiple modules—a computer module  31 , a driver unit  32  for a storage medium, and an interface module  33 —are provided;  
       FIG. 2  shows the expansion device  2  of  FIG. 1  without flat panel display  1 ;  
       FIG. 3  shows expansion device  2  according to the invention in another preferred embodiment including modules  31 , . . . ,  3   n  which are commonly used today;  
       FIG. 4  shows, in yet another preferred embodiment, an expansion device  2  supporting a flat panel display  1 , which device is mounted in suspended manner by means of a mounting device  5  held by a rod  6 ;  
       FIG. 4   a  shows expansion device  2  of  FIG. 4  pivoted downward after flat panel display  1  has been lifted out;  
       FIG. 5  shows expansion device  2  with a support device  21  which functions both to support flat panel display  1  and accommodate modules  31 , . . . ,  3   n;    
       FIG. 5   a  shows the expansion device of  FIG. 5  connected to mounting device  5 ;  
       FIG. 6  shows expansion device  2  and mounting device  5  of  FIG. 4  which are connected to each other by screws  2160  and seen in a sectional view from above;  
       FIG. 6   a  is a detail of expansion device  2  and mounting device  5  of  FIG. 6  in a preferred embodiment with elements  29 ,  212  which are connectable to each other without screws;  
       FIG. 7  shows expansion device  2  of  FIG. 6  having foot elements  215  to provide support on a base;  
       FIG. 8  is a schematic view of a circuit configuration provided in expansion device  2  having modules  31 , . . . ,  3   n  which are individually connectable to a video/graphics processing unit  303  provided in flat panel display  1  through a connection device  301 , a switching unit  300 , and a main interface  302 ;  
       FIG. 9  shows flat panel display  1 ′ and expansion device  2 ′ from European Patent Application 03 405 979.6.  
       FIG. 10  shows flat panel display  1 ′ and expansion device  2 ′ of  FIG. 9  as seen from the rear; and  
       FIG. 11  shows flat panel display  1 ′ and expansion device  2 ′ of  FIG. 9  as seen from the side. 
    
    
       FIG. 1  shows a flat panel display  1  according to the invention which is mounted on an expansion device  2  according to the invention which in turn has a housing  22  with a support device  21  provided therein. Flat panel display  1 , which has a large-format display unit  12  located in a housing  11  and held by a supporting structure  10 , is supported at its bottom side or by a structural element  102  of supporting structure  10  on support device  21  provided in expansion device  2 . Supporting device  21  has two pillars  211 ,  212  connected to each other by a center piece  213 , the pillars supporting flat panel display  1 . Located on pillars  211 ,  212  is one each of mandrel-shaped retaining elements  2110 ,  2120  which engage with practically no play sleeve-shaped receiving parts  101  located on structural element  102 , thereby retaining flat panel display  1  stable in a position perpendicular to expansion device  2 , or to support device  21  provided therein. Retaining elements  2110 ,  2120 , which may also be of plate-like or cuboidal form, are connected as a single-piece to support device  21 , attached by screws therein (see  FIG. 3 ), or welded thereon.  
      Modules  31 , . . . ,  3   n  are located between the two pillars  211 ,  212 , which modules serve to store, transmit or process video/graphics information which is transmittable either wirelessly or by wire through cable  331  to display unit  12  of flat panel display  1 . Support device  21  thus forms a U-shape section having a free space  214  in which modules  31 , . . . ,  3   n , or possibly a set  3  including modules  31 , . . . ,  3   n  and provided with a bracket, are located.  FIG. 1  shows a computer module  31 , a driver unit  32  for optical or magnetic storage media, and an interface module  33  with a connecting cable  331 .  FIG. 3  illustrates that any desired additional modules  31 , . . . ,  3   n , such as adapters, tuners, storage modules, power supply modules, interface modules, specifically for video, audio and control data, as well as network cards for wireless and wired networks can be located in expansion device  2 . All modules which are not required to control display unit  12  and must necessarily be located in housing  11  of flat panel display  1  are thus preferably located within expansion device  2 —with the result that the flat panel display can be produced in a minimal configuration at low expense and minimal dimensions.  
       FIG. 2  shows expansion device  2  of  FIG. 1  without flat panel display  1 . Provided on the front of housing  22  of expansion device  2  are openings  220  to enable connection of cables and introduction of data media  321  (see  FIG. 6 ). In addition, a keypad  4  is shown by which control commands are wirelessly transmittable to computer module  31 .  
      Expansion device  2  can be installed in a variety of ways. First, expansion device  2  can be placed on a base. Secondly, expansion device  2  can mounted in a suspended manner using mounting device  5  (see  FIGS. 4 through 7 ).  
       FIG. 4  shows, in a preferred embodiment, expansion device  2  which is mounted in a suspended manner by mounting device  5  held by rod  6  and which supports flat panel display  1 . Support device  21  provided in expansion device  2  has an L-shaped connecting element  216  extending outward (see  FIG. 4   a ), which element is connected to a head piece  52  of mounting device  5 , which head piece surrounds a mounting block  51  and is hinge-connected by a horizontally aligned shaft  53  to mounting block  51  which in turn both surrounds rod  6  and is held by screws  54 . The tilt of head piece  52  can be adjusted by adjustment screws  56 , as is shown in  FIG. 4   a.    
       FIG. 5  shows support device  21  consisting of a one-piece shaped part which encompasses interior space  2100  capable of accommodating modules  31 , . . . ,  3   n . The adjoining end pieces of the shaped part are bent outward and upward at the top of support device  21 , forming a two-dimensional retaining element  2110 . Also shown is an opening  210  for loading the interior space  2100  of support device  21 , which opening is preferably located on the back of support device  21 . Preferably, only such openings  210  are provided on the front which serve to enable the connection of cables or insertion of data media.  FIG. 5   a  shows support device  21  of  FIG. 5  connected by a screw to mounting device  5 .  
       FIG. 6  shows expansion device  2  and mounting device  5  of  FIG. 4  which are attached to each other by a bracket  216  and screws  2160 , as seen in a sectional view from the top.  
       FIG. 6   a  is a detail of expansion device  2  and mounting device  5  of  FIG. 6  which are connected to each other without screws in a preferred embodiment. For this purpose, the end piece of bracket  216  is inserted into a receiving element  29  provided on pillar  212 .  
      Support device  21  is located in a device housing  22  which is provided on the front with openings  220  for the loading of data media  321  or for the connection of cables, and on the back with an opening  220 ′ for the insertion and mounting of modules  31 , . . . ,  3   n . In the present configuration, expansion device  2  is equipped with a computer modules  31 , a driver unit  32  for exchangeable optical data media  321 , and a driver unit  32 ′ for magnetic data media.  
       FIG. 7  shows expansion device  2  of  FIG. 6  with support device  21  which has foot elements by means of which expansion device  2  and mounted flat panel display  1  are held in a stable manner.  
       FIG. 8  is a schematic view of a circuit configuration provided in expansion device  2  with modules  31 , . . . ,  3   n  which are connected through connection device  301 , switching unit  300 , and main interface  302  to video/graphics processing unit  303  provided in flat panel display  1 . The video/graphics information supplied by modules  31 , . . . ,  3   n , for example, in the form of TTL signals (TTL: Transistor Transistor Logic) or LVDS signals are separated from each other via connection device  301 , for example, a so-called backplane, fed to one input each of switching unit  300  by which the video/graphics information from modules  31 , . . . ,  3   n  is switched through to an output connected to main interface  302 . The LVDS technology is described, for example, in reference [5 ], An Overview of LVDS Technology  (LVDS: Low Voltage Differential Signalling),  National Semiconductor  1998,  Publication number AN 012326 (see also: IEEE Standard 15961.3). Modules  31 , . . . ,  3   n  connected to switching unit  300  have a graphics module to process the video/graphics data, and at least one processor. Of course individual units of modules  31 , . . . ,  3   n  can be connected to switching unit  300  through another module  31 .  
      Modules  31 , . . . ,  3   n , which are provided with a separate graphics module that is matched to the service functions of the respective modules  31 , . . . ,  3   n , can thus be connected independently of a separately provided video card to the video control unit  303  provided in flat panel display  1 , which control unit supplies control data to the driver units  111 ,  112  connected to display unit  113 . The use of switching unit  300  results in a strictly modular design for the circuit configuration. The user is thus able to install in expansion device  2  any desired modules  31 , . . . ,  3   n  compatible with main interface  302  of flat panel display  1 . In preferred embodiments, the interface of video/graphics control unit  303  is flexibly matched to the requirements of the connected modules  31 , . . . ,  3   n , thereby further enhancing the flexibility and compatibility of flat panel display  1 .  
       FIGS. 9, 10  and  11  show the above-described flat panel display  1 ′ and the expansion device  2 ′ of European Patent Application no. 03 405 797.6.  
      Expansion device  2  and flat panel display  1  have been described in preferred embodiments. Based on the teaching according to the invention, it is also possible to implement additional embodiments. In particular, it is possible to implement different dimensions for the device components, as well as different means for connecting and mutally adjusting the device components. In addition, it is also possible to exchange individual connection elements by kinematic reversal.  
      The mounting and electrical connection of modules  31 , . . . ,  3   n  within device housing  22  or within support device  21  are performed by operations known to a person skilled in the art. The dimensions of expansion device  2  are adapted to the size of modules  31 , . . . ,  3   n.    
      Reference Literature  
      [1] European  Offenlegungsschrift  EP 1 265 210 A1  
      [2] International  Offenlegungsschrift  WO 02/25943  
      [3] European  Offenlegungsschrift  EP 1 244 000 A2  
      [4] U.S.  Offenlegungsschrift  US 2002/0120750 A1  
      [5 ] An Overview of LVDS Technology  (LVDS: Low Voltage Differential Signalling),  National Semiconductor  1998,  Publication number AN 012326 (see also: IEEE Standard 15961.3)