Patent Abstract:
A touchscreen panel bezel and method comprises a frame configured to an attached projected capacitive (PCAP) touchscreen panel. One or more clamp brackets are configured to secure a monitor within the frame. A first one of said clamp brackets is configured to receive and secure a universal serial bus (USB) controller. A ribbon slot disposed within the frame is configured to thread a ribbon of the PCAP touchscreen panel for attachment to the USB controller. A USB cable is for attachment to the USB controller and a processer external to the bezel.

Full Description:
COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
       [0001]    A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention generally relates to an attachable touch screen panel. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system and method for an attachable touch screen panel bezel with universal serial bus (USB) chipset storage. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    According to one preferred embodiment, a touchscreen panel bezel, comprises: a frame configured to attached projected capacitive (PCAP) touchscreen panel; one or more clamp brackets configured to secure a monitor within the frame; a first one of said clamp brackets configured to receive and secure a universal serial bus (USB) controller; a ribbon slot disposed within the frame configured to thread a ribbon of the PCAP touchscreen panel for attachment to the USB controller; and a USB cable for attachment to the USB controller and a processer external to the bezel. 
         [0004]    According to another preferred embodiment, a method for providing a touchscreen panel bezel comprises: attaching a projected capacitive (PCAP) touchscreen panel to frame; securing one or more clamp brackets to the frame; securing a universal serial bus (USB) controller to a first one of said clamp brackets; treading a ribbon of the PCAP touchscreen through a slot disposed within the frame; attaching the ribbon to the USB controller; and attaching a USB cable to the USB controller and a processer external to the bezel. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is an exemplary bezel projected capacitive (PCAP) touchscreen assembly flow diagram; 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic representation of the assembled bezel, PCAP and monitor according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is a diagram that illustrates the configuration of the touch glass being attached to the bezel according to the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  is a diagram that illustrates a rear view of the frame with the PCAP touch glass having been attached to the frame of the bezel according to the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  is a diagram that illustrates another rear view of the frame with the chipset inserted and attached into the cradle according to the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-4 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  is a diagram that illustrates a close up view of the chipset attached to the ribbon according to the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-5 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 7  is a bottom perspective view of the clamp bracket with the USB cable attached to the chipset according to the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-6 ; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 8 , is a rear perspective view of the complete assembly of the bezel, with side clamps, bottom clamp, and the clamp bracket enclosing the monitor according to the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-7 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0013]    For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the accompanying drawings several embodiments of the invention. However, it should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown therein and described below. 
         [0014]    The method and system for an attachable touch screen panel bezel with universal serial bus (USB) chipset storage is disclosed in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention and is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-8  wherein like reference numerals are used throughout to designate like elements. 
         [0015]    The overlay bezel assembly is shipped to the end user with an installation guide instructing said user to remove the bottom clamp bracket only. Once bottom clamp bracket is removed, the assembly is placed over the monitor and the clamp bracket re-attached. This is unique, in that other integration companies integrate the touch onto the monitor. The overlay assembly described herein allows the end user to add the touch to their existing monitor. 
         [0016]    In one embodiment, this PCAP overlay bezel comprises a rectangular bezel (to encase the monitor), welded to an inverted bezel (encasing the PCAP touch glass), with top and bottom monitor clamp brackets, and universal side brackets. A special slot is manufactured into the bezel and inverted bezel for the PCAP controller board or chip set ribbons to pass through to the back without visual detection. 
         [0017]    In one embodiment, the apparatus integrates the PCAP to the inverted bezel with 3M VHB double sided tape. On the inside of the rectangular bezel, ⅛″ thick 3M foam tape is applied. The universal spacer brackets and the monitor clamp brackets may be attached using 6-32×¼ undercut flathead Phillips machine screws. 
         [0018]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary bezel projected capacitive (PCAP) touchscreen assembly flow diagram is shown according to one embodiment. A projective capacitive (PCAP) touch glass  10  is a commercially available product that provides a means for assembling touch screen monitors for human interface device (HID) compliant touch applications, making the mouse obsolete. Some of the manufacturers of PCAP are 3M®, Touch Expert® and IDS®. One PCAP touch glass  10  that may be used comprises part number 98-1100-0693-3 available from 3M Touch Systems. The PCAP touch glass  10  is placed over a non-touch screen monitor  5  by means of a bezel  100  that provides a ridge on which the touch glass  10  may be attached or taped, and to which the monitor  5  is attached or placed. 
         [0019]    With reference to  FIG. 2 , a diagrammatic representation of the assembled bezel  100 , with the PCAP touch glass  10  and monitor  5  is shown according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . The PCAP touch glass is shipped from the supplier with a USB cable  16  that is attachable to a controller or chip set for processing the input-output of the PCAP touch glass  10  and for providing power. In the past, the chip set normally would be inserted into a personal computer (PC), monitor assembly, or other closed container. The USB cable  16  would then be plugged into a USB port of the personal computer or processor, which then would produce output to the monitor through a VGA or HDMI interface. However, aftermarket integration of an existing monitor with the PCAP has been prevented or avoided because of the electronic data ribbon and chip configuration that is exposed from the PCAP touch glass  10 . 
         [0020]    With reference to  FIG. 3 , a diagram illustrates the configuration of the touch glass  10  being attached to the bezel  100  according to one embodiment. As shown, the data ribbon  12  protrudes from the touch glass  10  as shipped from the manufacturer; a feature that normally prevents aftermarket attachment to an existing monitor  5 . However, in one embodiment, during installation, the ribbon  12  is inserted through a slot  104  of the frame  102  of the bezel  100  from the front to the rear of the frame  102 . 
         [0021]    With reference to  FIG. 4 , a diagram illustrates a rear view of the frame with the PCAP touch glass  10  having been attached to the frame  102  of the bezel  100 , with the ribbon  12  inserted through the slot  104 . The controller or chipset  14  will attached to the distal end of the ribbon  12  after it has been inserted through the slot  104 . A bottom monitor clamp bracket  106  attaches to the bottom of the frame  102 , and contains a recess or cradle  108  having an opening in the bracket rail wherein the chipset  14  for the PCAP touch glass  10  may be attached or inserted. 
         [0022]    With reference to  FIG. 5 , a diagram illustrates another rear view of the frame with the chipset  14  inserted and attached into the cradle  108 . 
         [0023]    With reference to  FIG. 6 , a diagram illustrates a close up view of the chipset  14  now attached to the ribbon  12 . 
         [0024]    With reference to  FIG. 7 , a bottom perspective view of the clamp bracket  16  with the USB cable  16  attached to the controller or chipset  14  is shown. In one embodiment, the USB cable  16  may be threaded through a hole in the back of the clamp bracket  106  upon attachment to the controller or chipset  14 . 
         [0025]    With reference to  FIG. 8 , a rear perspective view of the complete assembly of the bezel  100  is shown, with side clamps  120 , bottom clamp  122 , and the clamp bracket  106  enclosing the monitor  5 . 
         [0026]    The various embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the invention. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize various modifications and changes that may be made to the claimed invention without following the example embodiments and applications illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the true spirit and scope of the claimed invention, which is set forth in the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6