Patent Description:
In addition, widescreen monitors and ultra-wide screen monitors have grown in popularity and demand to provide additional display area. As the screen size grows, the larger monitors and widescreen monitors may be curved to allow more of the screen to be viewed by a user.

US patent application <CIT> discloses a monitor apparatus which includes a plurality of discretely controlled displays within a single housing member.

European patent application <CIT> discloses a flexible display device and a method for controlling a display image.

US patent application <CIT> discloses a visual display screen that has a display area, for displaying an image, and which extends as far as an optically inactive region towards the edge of the display screen.

The present disclosure discloses a modular display system. As discussed above, monitors have grown in screen size to provide a larger viewing area and increase user productivity. To allow more of the screen to be seen, the larger monitors are curved to allow the user to use his or her peripheral vision. A single curved monitor has a fixed amount of curvature that is limited by the size of the single substrate used to make the monitor. In addition, a single curved monitor has fixed curve on both sides of the monitor. It may also be difficult to combine two curved monitors to increase the viewing area if a user prefers to have a side-by-side monitor configuration.

The examples of the present disclosure provide a modular display system that allows for more flexibility in user configurations. For example a center modular display is flat and a curved modular display is coupled to one or both sides of the center modular display. The center modular display and the curved modular display may operate as stand-alone monitors or may be combined to appear as a single larger monitor. The curved modular display is coupled to the center modular display to allow for additional center modular displays to be added. As a result, the modular display system of the present disclosure provides more flexibility to allow the user to customize the size of the display area and the amount of curvature on one end or both ends of the modular display system.

In addition, a single curved modular display part may be used for both ends of the modular display system. As a result, a single part with a single stock keeping unit (SKU) number can be used for both a left side and a right side of the modular display system. The single curved modular display can be rotated <NUM> degrees. In additional implementations, different curved modular displays having different amounts of curvature can be used to allow the user to customize the modular display system with a desired amount of curvature.

The examples of the present disclosure also provide a method for re-assigning functions of buttons (e.g., physical bezel buttons or virtual touch buttons) on the curved modular display. For example, order or sequence of functions of the bezel buttons can be maintained the same for both the left side and the right side even after the curved modular display is rotated <NUM> degrees and placed on opposite sides as another curved modular display.

<FIG> illustrates a block diagram of an example modular display system <NUM> of the present disclosure. In one implementation, the modular display system <NUM> includes a center modular display <NUM> and at least one curved modular display <NUM>.

The center modular display <NUM> and the curved modular display <NUM> are "modular" in that they are removably coupled to one another. In other words, the center modular display <NUM> and the curved modular display <NUM> are "modular" in that they may operate separately as independent monitors or be coupled together to form a single display of the modular display system <NUM>. Said another way, the center modular display <NUM> and the curved modular display <NUM> are not separate display areas within a single substrate or single display. Rather, the center modular display <NUM> and the curved modular display <NUM> are independent devices that can be combined or physically separated. In other words, the center modular display <NUM> and the curved modular display <NUM> are manufactured separately from two separate substrates to form the respective displays.

In one example, the center modular display <NUM> includes a bezel on a top side <NUM> and a bottom side <NUM>. The center modular display <NUM> is bezel free on a left side <NUM> and a right side <NUM>. In other words, the screen or viewing area of the center modular display <NUM> may span from an edge of the left side <NUM> to an edge of the right side <NUM>. The center modular display <NUM> may be held or mounted to a stand <NUM>.

In one example, the curved modular display <NUM> includes a single bezel free side. For example, the curved modular display <NUM> may include a bezel on a top side <NUM>, a bottom side <NUM> and a single side <NUM>. A display area <NUM> of the curved modular display <NUM> is less than or equal to a display area <NUM> of the center modular display <NUM>. The smaller display area <NUM> allows the curved modular display <NUM> to have more curvature than would be possible with a single substrate used to form a curved display.

In one example, the bezel free side of the curved modular display <NUM> is in communication with the left side <NUM>, or the right side <NUM>, of the center modular display <NUM>. In other words, a single curved modular display <NUM> may be used for both sides of the modular display system <NUM>. As a result, a single stock keeping unit (SKU) number may be used for the curved modular display <NUM>, which may keep production costs and inventory costs lower.

For example, <FIG> illustrates the bezel free side of the curved modular display <NUM> in communication with the left side <NUM> of the center modular display <NUM>. Notably, no bezel exists between the center modular display <NUM> and the curved modular display <NUM>. As a result, the display area <NUM> and the display area <NUM> appear as a single continuous screen that is part of the modular display system <NUM>.

In one example, the curved modular display <NUM> is in communication with the left side <NUM> of the center modular display <NUM> via an electrical connection or via a wireless connection. In other words, the curved modular display <NUM> and the center modular display <NUM> may exchange data (e.g., video data) via a physical electrical connection or a wireless connection (e.g., Bluetooth®, WiFi, infrared, and the like).

<FIG> illustrates an example block diagram of the curved modular display <NUM>. The curved module display may include a plurality of reconfigurable buttons <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>. In one implementation, the plurality of reconfigurable buttons may be physical buttons or may be virtual buttons (e.g., touch areas on the bezel <NUM>, touch areas in the display area <NUM>, etc.). The reconfigurable buttons <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> may be located approximately at a center of the bezel <NUM>. Although four reconfigurable buttons <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> are illustrated in <FIG>, it should be noted that any number of reconfigurable buttons may be deployed. In addition, the bezel buttons may include a joystick or rotatable button.

As noted above, the display area <NUM> may be rotated <NUM> degrees. As a result, the curved modular display <NUM> may be located on a left side <NUM> or a right side <NUM> of the center modular display <NUM>. By locating the reconfigurable buttons <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> approximately at the center of the bezel <NUM>, the reconfigurable buttons <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> may appear symmetrical on both sides when two curved modular displays <NUM> are coupled to the left side <NUM> and the right side <NUM> of the center modular display <NUM>.

In one example, the reconfigurable buttons <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> may each perform a different function and be automatically reconfigurable. In other words, when the display area <NUM> is rotated <NUM> degrees and located on the right side <NUM>, the order of the reconfigurable buttons <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> would also flip <NUM> degrees. Thus, the reconfigurable button <NUM> would be on top and the reconfigurable button <NUM> would be on the bottom. The user may be used to a certain sequence of functions for the reconfigurable buttons <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>. If the reconfigurable buttons <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> were not reconfigurable, the user may become confused as to which reconfigurable buttons <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> perform which functions when the curved modular display <NUM> is rotated <NUM> degrees.

To illustrate, the reconfigurable button <NUM> may be a power button, the reconfigurable button <NUM> may be a menu button, the reconfigurable button <NUM> may be an up navigation button and the reconfigurable button <NUM> may be a down navigation button. When the curved modular display <NUM> is rotated <NUM> degrees and connected to the right side <NUM> of the center modular display <NUM>, the reconfigurable buttons <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> may automatically be reconfigured to perform a function in accordance with a desired sequence of functions. For example, the reconfigurable button <NUM> that is now on top may be reconfigured to be the power button. The reconfigurable button <NUM> that is now second from the top may be reconfigured to be the menu button. The reconfigurable button <NUM> that is now second from the bottom may be reconfigured to be the up navigation button. The reconfigurable button <NUM> that is now the bottom button may be reconfigured to be the down navigation button. Thus, the reconfigurable buttons <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> may be automatically reconfigured to maintain a sequence of desired functions when the curved modular display <NUM> is rotated <NUM> degrees.

The curved modular display <NUM> may also include an electrical connector <NUM>. The electrical connector <NUM> may be a universal serial bus (USB) connection that provides a transfer of power and data between the curved modular display <NUM> and the center modular display <NUM>. As a result, when the curved modular display <NUM> is part of the modular display system <NUM> the curved modular display <NUM> may draw power from the center modular display <NUM> (as shown in <FIG> and discussed below) or may draw power directly from a power outlet and provide power to the center modular display <NUM> (as shown in <FIG> and discussed below).

The curved modular display <NUM> may include a physical connector <NUM> shown in phantom lines behind the display area <NUM>. For example, the physical connector <NUM> may be coupled to, or formed as part of, a back side of a housing of the curved modular display <NUM>. The physical connector <NUM> may be a mechanical connector that mates with a corresponding physical connector on the center modular display <NUM> such as an interference fit, a snap fit, a fastener (e.g., a screw, a bolt, and the like), or a spring clamp. In another example, the physical connector <NUM> may mate with another mounting apparatus (e.g., as illustrated in <FIG> and discussed below).

Thus, the curved modular display <NUM> may not use a stand when physically connected to the center modular display <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. However, when the curved modular display <NUM> is operated as a separate monitor, the curved modular display <NUM> may also be mounted to a respective stand.

<FIG> illustrates a block diagram of a front view of an example modular display system <NUM>. The modular display system <NUM> illustrates a first curved modular display <NUM>-<NUM> in communication with the left side <NUM> and a second curved modular display <NUM>-<NUM> in communication with the right side <NUM> of the center modular display <NUM>.

As noted above, the center modular display <NUM> is bezel free on the left side <NUM> and the right side <NUM>. The first curved modular display <NUM>-<NUM> and the second curved modular display <NUM>-<NUM> each have a single bezel free side that is in communication with the bezel free left side <NUM> and the bezel free right side <NUM>, respectively, of the center modular display <NUM>.

Notably, the second curved modular display <NUM>-<NUM> is the same as the first curved modular display <NUM>-<NUM>, but rotated <NUM> degrees around an axis that goes into the page (as shown by an arrow <NUM>). Said another way, the first curved modular display <NUM>-<NUM> and the second curved modular display <NUM>-<NUM> share the same SKU number as discussed above. The rotation can also be shown by the reconfigurable buttons <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>. For example, the order, or sequence, of the reconfigurable buttons <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> is flipped on the second curved modular display <NUM>-<NUM> relative to the first curved modular display <NUM>-<NUM>. The reconfigurable buttons <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> on the first curved modular display <NUM>-<NUM> and the second curved modular display <NUM>-<NUM> may perform identical functions, but assigned to different buttons depending on which curved modular display <NUM>-<NUM> or <NUM>-<NUM> has the active reconfigurable buttons <NUM>, <NUM><NUM> and <NUM>. In another example discussed below, the reconfigurable buttons <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> on both curved modular displays <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> may be active and assigned different functions. It should also be noted that the reconfigurable buttons <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> are positioned on the bezel <NUM> such that the reconfigurable buttons <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> appear to be mirror images of each other despite the rotation.

In one implementation, the user may pre-define which side's reconfigurable buttons <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> will be active in the modular display system <NUM>. For example, the user may prefer having active buttons on the right side. As a result, the reconfigurable buttons <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> of the curved modular display <NUM>-<NUM> may be active and the reconfigurable buttons <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> of the curved modular display <NUM>-<NUM> may be deactivated.

In another implementation, the user may assign new functions to the reconfigurable buttons <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>. For example, the reconfigurable buttons <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> of the curved modular display <NUM>-<NUM> may be set to be the power button, the menu button, the up navigation button and the down navigation button. Subsequently, the user may add the second curved modular display <NUM>-<NUM>. Rather than deactivating the reconfigurable buttons <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> of one of the curved modular displays <NUM>-<NUM> or <NUM>-<NUM>, the user may pre-define new functions for the reconfigurable buttons <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> of the second curved modular display <NUM>-<NUM>. For example, the reconfigurable buttons <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> of the second curved modular display <NUM>-<NUM> may be set to be a contrast adjustment, a brightness adjustment, a color adjustment and an input selection, respectively.

As result, the respective displays areas <NUM> and <NUM> of the first curved modular display <NUM>-<NUM>, the second curved modular display <NUM>-<NUM> and the center modular display <NUM> may appear as a single display to a computing device <NUM>. It should be noted that a single connection <NUM> to the computing device <NUM> is used to operate the modular display system <NUM> despite being a combination of three separate modular displays comprising the first curved modular display <NUM>-<NUM>, the second curved modular display <NUM>-<NUM> and the center modular display <NUM>.

In one implementation, the first curved modular display <NUM>-<NUM> and the second curved modular display <NUM>-<NUM> are electrically connected to the center modular display <NUM> via the electrical connector <NUM> mated with a corresponding electrical receptacle <NUM> of the center modular display <NUM> (shown in phantom lines). The center modular display <NUM> may detect the electrical connection and modify an extended display identification data (EDID) file to correspond to the dimensions of the entire modular display system <NUM>. The EDID file may be transmitted to the computing device <NUM> via the connection <NUM>. The computing device <NUM> may then send video data that corresponds to the dimensions of the entire modular display system <NUM> to the center modular display <NUM>. The center modular display <NUM> may transmit the video data to the first curved modular display <NUM>-<NUM> and the second curved modular display <NUM>-<NUM> via the respective electrical connectors <NUM>. Processors within the first curved modular display <NUM>-<NUM>, the second curved modular display <NUM>-<NUM> and the center modular display <NUM> (e.g., a scalar chip, a timing controller, and the like) can synchronize the video data and display the video data as a single continuous image across the respective displays <NUM> and <NUM> of the first curved modular display <NUM>-<NUM>, the second curved modular display <NUM>-<NUM> and the center modular display <NUM>.

It should be noted that the above is one example. In other implementations, the computing device <NUM> may be connected to the curved modular display <NUM>-<NUM> or <NUM>-<NUM>. The computing device <NUM> may send video data to the connected curved modular display <NUM>-<NUM> or <NUM>-<NUM>. The video data may then be sent to the center modular display <NUM> and the remaining curved modular display <NUM>-<NUM> or <NUM>-<NUM> via the respective electrical connectors <NUM>.

In one implementation, a single stand <NUM> may be used to support the center modular display <NUM>. The respective physical connections <NUM> of the first curved modular display <NUM>-<NUM> and the second curved modular display <NUM>-<NUM> may be connected to a corresponding physical connection <NUM> of the center modular display <NUM>. In addition, the center modular display <NUM> may use an electrical connection <NUM> to a power outlet <NUM>. Notably, the first curved modular display <NUM>-<NUM> and the second curved modular display <NUM>-<NUM> may not use a separate electrical connection the power outlet <NUM>. Rather, the first curved modular display <NUM>-<NUM>, and the second curved modular display <NUM>-<NUM> may be powered by the center modular display <NUM> via the respective electrical connectors <NUM>. However, in other implementations, the power or data connections to the power outlet <NUM> may be to one of the curved modular displays <NUM>-<NUM> or <NUM>-<NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a top view of the example modular display system <NUM>. The top view helps to illustrate a curvature <NUM> of the first curved modular display <NUM>-<NUM> and a curvature <NUM> of the second curved modular display <NUM>-<NUM>. It should be noted that due to the modular design of the curved modular displays <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>, a smaller substrate can be used to create a larger overall display area of the modular display system <NUM>. With the smaller substrate of the curved modular displays <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>, the amount of curvature <NUM> and <NUM> can be larger than a single substrate curved monitor.

In one example, the curvature <NUM> and the <NUM> may be the same or equal to one another. However, in another example, a variety of different curved modular displays <NUM> may be designed and sold having different amounts of curvature. This may provide more customization options for the user.

For example, based on the available workspace, a user may want to have more curvature on the left side of the modular display system <NUM> due to a corner of the desk, or wall. The user may want less curvature on the right side of the modular display system <NUM>. As a result, in some implementations the curvature <NUM> may be different than the curvature <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a block diagram of an example connection mechanism <NUM> of a modular display system <NUM>. As noted above, either the center modular display <NUM> or the curved modular display <NUM> may receive direct power from a power outlet and be held by a stand. <FIG> illustrates one example, wherein the curved modular display <NUM>-<NUM> is directly connected to a power source (e.g., a wall outlet) <NUM> via a power connection <NUM>. The curved modular displays <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> may be supported by a respective stand <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>.

In one implementation, the physical connectors <NUM> of the curved modular displays <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> may be coupled to opposite ends <NUM> of the connection mechanism <NUM> (as shown in phantom lines being in the back). The center modular display <NUM>-<NUM> may also include a physical connector <NUM> that allows the center modular display <NUM>-<NUM> to be mounted onto the connection mechanism <NUM>. In one example, the physical connector <NUM> may be a mechanical coupling such as a spring loaded clip, an interference fit, and the like. In another example, the connection mechanism <NUM> may have mounting holes (e.g., that correspond to spacing used for a VESA mount) and a fastener (e.g., a screw) may be used to secure the center modular display <NUM>-<NUM> to the connection mechanism <NUM>.

In one implementation, the connection mechanism <NUM> may comprise a concentric sliding bar. For example, the connection mechanism <NUM> may include an outer guide <NUM> and an inner sliding bar <NUM>. The inner sliding bar <NUM> may extend horizontally left or right as shown by an arrow <NUM>. As a result, a user may increase the flat surface area using an additional center modular display <NUM>-<NUM>.

For example, the modular display system <NUM> may initially look like the modular display system <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. At a later time, the user may desire a large display area or screen size. Thus, rather than having to purchase a larger monitor, the user may simply purchase another center modular display <NUM>-<NUM> at an incremental cost.

The curved modular display <NUM>-<NUM> may be disconnected from the center modular display <NUM>-<NUM>. The connection mechanism <NUM> may be horizontally extended by sliding the inner sliding bar <NUM>. The center modular display <NUM>-<NUM> may then be mounted onto the connection mechanism <NUM>. The connection mechanism <NUM> may be pushed horizontally until the curved modular display <NUM>-<NUM>, the center modular display <NUM>-<NUM> and the center modular display <NUM>-<NUM> are adjacent to one another. The center modular display <NUM>-<NUM> may be electrically connected to the curved modular display <NUM>-<NUM> and the center modular display <NUM>-<NUM>. The modular display system <NUM> may perform a restart function to send a host device an updated EDID file with the new dimensions of the modular display system <NUM>.

In another implementation, both the center modular display <NUM>-<NUM> and the center modular display <NUM>-<NUM> may be removed. As a result, the curved modular display <NUM>-<NUM> may be directly coupled to the curved modular display <NUM>-<NUM> without any center modular displays <NUM>. Thus, a variety of different configurations may be achieved with the center modular display <NUM> and the curved modular display <NUM>.

Thus, the examples of the present disclosure provide a fully modular display system that provides maximum customization for a user. For example, the screen size or display area can be increased or decreased. The amount of curvature of the display can be modified. A single curved modular display may be sold for both sides of the modular display system. Alternatively, a series of different curved modular displays having different amounts of curvature may be sold to allow a user to have different amounts of curvature on opposite sides of the modular display system.

The modular display system provides a clean look by allowing a single modular display to receive power and be connected to a host device. Thus, the design of the modular display system of the present disclosure avoids a clutter of wires running from the various modular displays to the host device and to a wall outlet for power.

<FIG> illustrates a flow diagram of an example method <NUM> for re-assigning functions of buttons on a curved modular display. In one example, the method <NUM> may be performed by the curved modular display <NUM>. For example, the curved modular display <NUM> may include a processor and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium may store instructions that when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform the method <NUM>.

At block <NUM>, the method <NUM> begins. At block <NUM>, the method <NUM> determines a desired sequence of functions for each one of a plurality of reconfigurable buttons. The buttons may be reconfigurable buttons that are physical bezel buttons or virtual buttons (e.g., defined touch areas on the bezel that are associated with a function). The desired sequence may be set by a manufacturer or may be selected by a user. The functions may include functions such as power, menu, navigation buttons (e.g., up, down, left, right), and the like.

At block <NUM>, the method <NUM> determines an orientation of the plurality of reconfigurable buttons. In one example, the curved modular display may include an accelerometer that determines the orientation. In another example, the orientation may be determined by the electrical connection to the center modular display. For example, when the curved modular display is connected to a right side of the center modular display, the electrical connector of the center modular display may notify the curved modular display that it is in a right side orientation. When the curved modular display is connected to a left side of the center modular display, the electrical connector of the center modular display may notify the curved modular display that it is in a left side orientation.

At block <NUM>, the method <NUM> assigns a function to the each one of the plurality of reconfigurable buttons in the desired sequence of functions based on the orientation of the plurality of reconfigurable buttons. For example, if the desired sequence of the reconfigurable buttons is power, menu, navigate up and navigate down, then the method <NUM> may assign the functions of the reconfigurable buttons in the desired sequence of power, menu, navigate up and navigate down.

Claim 1:
A modular display system (<NUM>, <NUM>), comprising:
a center modular display (<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>), wherein the center modular display is bezel free on a left side (<NUM>) and a right side (<NUM>); and
a first curved modular display (<NUM>-<NUM>) and a second curved modular display (<NUM>-<NUM>), wherein the first curved modular display and the second curved modular display each comprise a single bezel free side and each comprise a display area that is less than, or equal to, a display area of the center modular display, wherein the single bezel free side of the first curved modular display is the right side, and wherein the first curved modular display is in communication with the left side of the center modular display, and wherein the single bezel free side of the second curved modular display is the left side, and wherein the second curved modular display is in communication with the right side of the center modular display, and wherein the center modular display and the first curved modular display and the second curved modular display are removably coupled to one another and appear as a single display to a computing device,
wherein the second curved modular display is identical to the first curved modular display and is rotated <NUM> degrees around an axis perpendicular to the plane of the center modular display.