Patent Description:
A display apparatus is a kind of output apparatus that visually displays images and data information, such as characters, figures, etc. The display apparatus includes a display module for displaying images and a support device supporting the display module. The support device supports the display module such that a front side of the display module on which images are displayed, faces viewers.

Recently, a user's need for a display apparatus including a camera to enable a user to photograph himself/herself to produce contents or to check his/her gestures in real time when practising dancing or doing exercise is increasing.

However, when a camera is installed in a display apparatus, invasion of privacy and security issues may be caused, and due to an increase of cost for installation of the camera, the marketability of the display apparatus may deteriorate.

<CIT> relates to a display apparatus having an electronic module that automatically adjusts the screen orientation in accordance with whether the display mode of an image is in a portrait mode or a landscape mode.

<CIT> relates to a module configured to mount a portable device to a display device.

Therefore, it is an aspect of the disclosure to provide a display apparatus including a display module, a support device for rotatably supporting the display module, and a mounting device for mounting a mobile device on the display module.

It is another aspect of the disclosure to provide a display apparatus capable of using a camera module of a mobile device to use a camera without including any camera module.

It is another aspect of the disclosure to provide a display apparatus capable of automatically pairing a mobile device with a display module when the mobile device is mounted on a mounting device.

Additional aspects of the disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be understood from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a display apparatus according to claim <NUM>.

The display module may include a longer side and a shorter side. The longer side may be positioned in a vertical direction when the display module is at a first position, and the longer side may be positioned in a horizontal direction when the display module is at a second position.

When the display module is at the first position, the mounting device may be mounted at a top end of the display module.

The mounting device may support the mobile device such that a top end of the mobile device is positioned outside the display module.

The frame may include: a front portion, wherein one end of the front portion contacts the screen display area; a side portion connected to the other end of the front portion, inclined backward from the screen display area, and being larger than the front portion; and a rear portion extending from the side portion toward a rear surface of the display module.

The mounting portion may include: a first contact part contacting the front portion of the frame; a second contact part contacting the side portion of the frame; and a third contact part contacting the rear portion of the frame. The display module may further include a coupling portion, the coupling portion positioned on the rear surface of the display module, and the mounting device may further include a coupling protrusion extending from the third contact part to be coupled to the coupling portion.

The coupling protrusion may include a protrusion protruding in a direction crossing a direction in which the coupling protrusion extends.

The coupling portion may include a coupling groove into which the coupling protrusion is inserted, and a coupling hole into which the protrusion is inserted.

The third support part may be rotatably coupled to the second support part.

Configurations illustrated in the embodiments and the drawings described in the present specification are only the preferred examples of the disclosure, and thus it is to be understood that various modified examples are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

Also, the terms used in the present specification are merely used to describe the embodiments, and are not intended to limit and/or restrict the disclosure. In the present specification, it is to be understood that the terms such as "comprising", "including" or "having", etc., are intended to indicate the existence of the features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof disclosed in the specification, and are not intended to preclude the possibility that one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof may exist or may be added.

It will be understood that, although the terms "first", "second", etc., may be used herein to describe various components, these components should not be limited by these terms. The above terms are used only to distinguish one component from another. For example, a first component discussed below could be termed a second component, and similarly, a second component may be termed a first component without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Those embodiments that do not fall within the scope of the claims relate to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure that are not covered by the claimed invention.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a display apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention when a mobile device is mounted on a mounting device. <FIG> is a front view of a display apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention when a display module is positioned vertically. <FIG> is a front view of a display apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention when a display module is positioned horizontally.

Referring to <FIG>, a display apparatus <NUM> includes a display module <NUM> for displaying a screen, a support device <NUM> coupled to a rear side of the display module <NUM> to support the display module <NUM>, and a mounting device <NUM> coupled to the display module <NUM> to support a mobile device <NUM>.

The display module <NUM> is a device for displaying information, data, etc. as characters, figures, graphs, and images, and examples of the display module <NUM> include a television, a monitor, etc..

The display module <NUM> is configured to display a screen. The display module <NUM> may include a self-emissive display panel (not shown) such as organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) or a non-emissive display panel (not shown) such as a liquid crystal display (LCD). However, a kind of a display panel included in the display module <NUM> is not limited.

A horizontal length of the display module <NUM> may be different from a vertical length of the display module <NUM>. That is, the display module <NUM> may have a longer side and a shorter side. The display module <NUM> may be in a shape of a rectangular plate.

The support device <NUM> may be coupled to the rear side of the display module <NUM> and is configured to support the display module <NUM>. The support device <NUM> may include a support body <NUM> to which the display module <NUM> is coupled, and a stand <NUM> coupled to a rear side of the support body <NUM>. The support device <NUM> may stand when the support body <NUM> and the stand <NUM> are in contact with the ground.

The support device <NUM> may include a speaker <NUM> configured to generate sound. The speaker <NUM> may be positioned inside the support body <NUM>. More specifically, the speaker <NUM> may be positioned in a lower portion of the support body <NUM> inside the support body <NUM>. The speaker <NUM> may output sound to correspond to images displayed on the display module <NUM>. However, the speaker <NUM> may output sound independently even when the display module <NUM> is in a power-off state. Also, the speaker <NUM> may be connected to an external device such as a mobile device <NUM> in a wired or wireless fashion to output sound reproduced by the external device.

The mounting device <NUM> supports the mobile device <NUM> to mount the mobile device <NUM> on the display module <NUM>. The mounting device <NUM> can be coupled to the display module <NUM>. The mounting device <NUM> can be removably coupled to the display module <NUM>, although not limited thereto, which will be described later.

The mobile device <NUM> is a kind of an external device, and may include, for example, a smart phone. Recently, with widespread dissemination of mobile devices, attempts for using mobile devices by various methods are being made. Representative examples of such attempts are mirroring of outputting sound output from a mobile device and images displayed on the mobile device through a display module, and casting of outputting content being outputting from a pre-set application of a mobile device through a display module. To use such mirroring or casting, the mobile device <NUM> may need to be paired with the display apparatus <NUM>. According to the disclosure, the mobile device <NUM> may be paired with the display apparatus <NUM> through various methods, which will be described later.

Recently, many people photograph themselves through cameras to produce contents. Also, many people check their gestures by using cameras when practicing dancing or doing exercise. As such, a user's need for a mirror mode that uses screens of a camera and a display as mirrors, is increasing. However, to provide the mirror mode, a camera needs to be installed in a display apparatus, and when a camera is installed in a display apparatus, invasion of privacy and security issues may be caused. Also, due to an increase of cost for installation of the camera, the marketability of the display apparatus may deteriorate.

According to the disclosure, the display apparatus <NUM> may provide a mirror mode without installing a camera. To provide the mirror mode, the display apparatus <NUM> may include the mounting device <NUM>. By mounting the mobile device <NUM> including a camera module 2a on the mounting device <NUM> and pairing the mobile device <NUM> with the display apparatus <NUM>, a mirror mode may be provided. Because the mobile device <NUM> generally includes the camera module 2a, the display apparatus <NUM> may provide the mirror mode by using the camera module 2a of the mobile device <NUM>. As such, by using the camera module 2a of the mobile device <NUM> which is an external device, a cost increase of the display apparatus <NUM>, which may be caused by installation of a camera, may be prevented in advance. Also, by mounting the mobile device <NUM> on the mounting device <NUM> as necessary, invasion of privacy and security issues, which may be caused by the display apparatus <NUM>, may be prevented in advance.

Referring to <FIG>, the longer side of the display module <NUM> is positioned in a vertical direction and the shorter side of the display module <NUM> is positioned in a horizontal direction. Hereinafter, the position of the display module <NUM> is referred to as a vertical mode. Also, it may be expressed that the display module <NUM> is at a first position.

Referring to <FIG>, the display module <NUM> may be positioned such that the longer side is in the horizontal direction and the shorter side is in the vertical direction. Hereinafter, the position of the display module <NUM> is referred to as a horizontal mode. Also, it may be expressed that the display module <NUM> is at a second position.

A user may position the display module <NUM> to the vertical mode or the horizontal mode selectively according to a screen ratio of images.

It is common for a display module to be fixed at a horizontal position. However, when a vertical image is displayed on the display module fixed at the horizontal position, no image is displayed on both side areas of the screen of the display module so that the screen fails to be efficiently used. To meet the latest trend of using both vertical images and horizontal images, a display apparatus capable of efficiently displaying various screen ratios is needed.

The display apparatus <NUM> may position the display module <NUM> in the vertical mode when displaying a vertical image, and position the display module <NUM> in the horizontal mode when displaying a horizontal image, thereby efficiently using a screen display area <NUM>. Accordingly, the display apparatus <NUM> may efficiently display various screen ratios.

The display apparatus <NUM> may include the display module <NUM>, and the support device <NUM> that rotatably supports the display module <NUM> automatically by using a motor.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the display module <NUM> may be rotatable from the vertical mode to the horizontal mode or from the horizontal mode to the vertical mode. The support device <NUM> may rotate the display module <NUM> from the vertical mode to the horizontal mode or from the horizontal mode to the vertical mode.

The support device <NUM> may include a motor (not shown). The support device <NUM> may use a driving force of the motor to rotate the display module <NUM>. Therefore, a user may drive the motor (not shown), instead of manually rotating the display module <NUM>, to thereby automatically rotate the display module <NUM>.

Accordingly, the mounting device <NUM> supports the mobile device <NUM> although the display module <NUM> is positioned in the horizontal mode. In other words, the mounting device <NUM> supports the mobile device <NUM> such that the mobile device <NUM> is not separated from the mounting device <NUM> even when the display module <NUM> is positioned in the horizontal mode. Accordingly, the mobile device <NUM> can be mounted on the display module <NUM> regardless of a position of the display module <NUM>.

A user may selectively position the display module <NUM> to the horizontal mode or the vertical mode, and the display apparatus <NUM> may provide a mirror mode, mirroring, and casting in the horizontal mode or the vertical mode.

Meanwhile, as shown in <FIG>, the speaker <NUM> may be positioned below the display module <NUM>. The speaker <NUM> may be positioned not to be covered by the display module <NUM> even when the display module <NUM> is positioned in the vertical mode. By the position of the speaker <NUM>, the speaker <NUM> may stably output sound regardless of the position of the display module <NUM>. Also, as shown in the drawings, the speaker <NUM> is shown from the outside of the support device <NUM>, however, a metal cover including a plurality of holes or a fabric cover may be provided in front of the speaker <NUM>.

<FIG> is a rear perspective view of the display apparatus according to an unclaimed embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the display apparatus <NUM> according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include the display module <NUM>, the support device <NUM>, and the mounting device <NUM>.

The mounting device <NUM> may support the mobile device <NUM>. The mounting device <NUM> may be positioned at a top end of the display module <NUM> when the display module <NUM> is positioned in the vertical mode. More specifically, the mounting device <NUM> may be positioned at a centre of a top end of the display module <NUM> when the display module <NUM> is positioned in the vertical mode. The mounting device <NUM> may be removably coupled to the display module <NUM>, which will be described later.

On the mounting device <NUM>, the mobile device <NUM> may be mounted. The mounting device <NUM> may support the mobile device <NUM> such that the mobile device <NUM> rotates together with the display module <NUM>. The mounting device <NUM> may support the mobile device <NUM> such that the mobile device <NUM> is mounted on the display module <NUM>.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view showing the display module <NUM>, the mounting device <NUM>, and the mobile device <NUM> in the display apparatus <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the mounting device <NUM> according to an embodiment of the disclosure may be removably coupled to the display module <NUM>. Also, the mobile device <NUM> may be mounted on or separated from the mounting device <NUM>.

The mounting device <NUM> may be coupled to the display module <NUM> without using any coupling member, and separated from the display module <NUM> without using any member. Likewise, the mobile device <NUM> may be mounted on the mounting device <NUM> without using any member, and separated from the mounting device <NUM> without using any member.

On a rear surface of the display module <NUM>, a coupling portion <NUM> may be provided such that the mounting device <NUM> is coupled to the display module <NUM>. The coupling portion <NUM> may be positioned around a border of the rear surface of the display module <NUM> such that the camera module 2a of the mobile device <NUM> mounted on the mounting device <NUM> is positioned outside the display module <NUM>. The coupling portion <NUM> may be positioned adjacent to the top end of the display module <NUM>, so that the display module <NUM> is rotatable from the vertical mode to the horizontal mode or from the horizontal mode to the vertical mode even after the mounting device <NUM> is mounted on the display module <NUM>. Also, the coupling portion <NUM> may be positioned adjacent to one side of the display module <NUM>. In this case, the coupling portion <NUM> may be positioned adjacent to a top end of one side of the display module <NUM> such that the mounting device <NUM> is prevented from interfering with rotations of the display module <NUM>. The top end and side of the display module <NUM> may be based on when the display module <NUM> is positioned in the vertical mode.

The coupling portion <NUM> may include a coupling groove <NUM> into which a coupling protrusion <NUM> (which will be described later) of the mounting device <NUM> is inserted, and a coupling hole <NUM> into which a protrusion 104a of the coupling protrusion <NUM> is inserted.

The coupling portion <NUM> may be in a shape of a box of which an upper portion opens. The coupling groove <NUM> may be a space formed between the rear surface of the display module <NUM> and the coupling portion <NUM>. The coupling hole <NUM> may be formed in a part of the coupling portion <NUM>, which faces the rear surface of the display module <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a lower part of the coupling portion <NUM> may be closed. However, the lower part of the coupling portion <NUM> may be open.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the mounting device <NUM> may be coupled to the center of the top end of the display module <NUM> when the display module <NUM> is positioned in the vertical mode.

The mounting device <NUM> may include a mounting portion <NUM> having a shape corresponding to a frame <NUM> forming borders of the display module <NUM>, and an accommodating portion <NUM> accommodating and supporting the mobile device <NUM>.

The frame <NUM> may include a front portion 15a, a side portion 15b, and a rear portion 15c (<FIG>). According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the front portion 15a of the frame <NUM> may be in contact with the screen display area <NUM>. The front portion 15a of the frame <NUM> may protrude frontward from the screen display area <NUM> and be inclined outward from the screen display area <NUM>. The side portion 15b of the frame <NUM> may extend from the front portion 15a of the frame <NUM>, and be inclined backward from the screen display area <NUM>. The side portion 15b of the frame <NUM> may be larger than the front portion 15a of the frame <NUM>. The rear portion 15c of the frame <NUM> may extend from the side portion 15b of the frame <NUM> toward the rear surface of the display module <NUM>.

The mounting portion <NUM> may include a mounting groove 101d having a shape corresponding to the frame <NUM> of the display module <NUM>. The mounting portion <NUM> may be made of a material having elasticity. The mounting portion <NUM> may be elastically deformed to be insert-combined with the frame <NUM> of the display module <NUM>. In the present specification, the mounting portion <NUM> is also referred to as an elastic coupling portion.

The mounting portion <NUM> may include a first contact part 101a contacting a front border of the display module <NUM>, a second contact part 101b contacting a top border of the display module <NUM>, and a third contact part 101c contacting a rear border of the display module <NUM>. The mounting groove 101d may be formed by the first contact part 101a, the second contact part 101b, and the third contact part 101c. The mounting groove 101d may have a shape corresponding to the frame <NUM>, as described above (see <FIG>).

The accommodating portion <NUM> may be positioned below the mounting portion <NUM>. More specifically, the accommodating portion <NUM> may include a first support part 102a extending downward from the mounting portion <NUM>, a second support part 102b extending from the first support part 102a to be perpendicular to the first support part 102a, and a third support part 102c extending from the second support part 102b to be inclined toward the first support part 102a. On the first support part 102a, a non-slip member <NUM> may be provided to prevent the mobile device <NUM> mounted on the mounting device <NUM> from slipping. The non-slip member <NUM> may be made of various materials. For example, the non-slip member <NUM> may be made of a rubber material having a high frictional force. The non-slip member <NUM> may be provided on the third support part 102C.

The first support part 102a may support one portion of the mobile device <NUM>, the second support part 102b may support a lower portion of the mobile device <NUM>, and the third support part 102b may support the other portion of the mobile device <NUM>. The first support part 102a may be opposite to the rear surface of the display module <NUM>.

The third support part 102c may extend from the second support part 102b to be inclined toward the first support part 102a. By the structure of the third support part 102c, a distance between the first support part 102a and an end of the third support part 102c may be smaller than a thickness of a general mobile device. The end of the third support part 102c may be one end of the third support part 102c, located close to the first support part 102a.

The first support part 102a, the second support part 102b, and the third support part 102c may have elasticity. When the first support part 102a, the second support part 102b, and the third support part 102c are elastically deformed, the distance between the first support part 102a and the end of the third support part 102c may change. A user may apply a force that is greater than an elastic force acting between the first to third support parts 102a, 102b, and 102c, thereby placing the mobile device <NUM> between the first support part 102a and the end of the third support part 102c. The mobile device <NUM> may be fixed at the mounting device <NUM> by the elastic force acting between the first support part 102a and the end of the third support part 102c.

When the mobile device <NUM> moves downward by the force of gravity, the second support part 102b may support the mobile device <NUM>. Accordingly, the mobile device <NUM> may be stably supported by the mounting device <NUM>.

The third support part 102c may further include a handle 102d extending from the end of the third support part 102c and inclined away from the first support part 102a. When a user separates the mobile device <NUM> mounted on the mounting device <NUM> from the mounting device <NUM>, the user may put his/her finger in a space between the handle 102d and the mobile device <NUM> to pull the third support part 102c backward. Thereby, the user may easily separate the mobile device <NUM> mounted on the mounting device <NUM> from the mounting device <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the mounting device <NUM> shown in <FIG> at another angle. <FIG> shows a coupled structure of the display module <NUM>, the mounting device <NUM>, and the mobile device <NUM> in the display apparatus <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the mounting device <NUM> may further include the coupling protrusion <NUM> for more stable coupling to the display module <NUM>.

The coupling protrusion <NUM> may extend from the third contact part 101c of the mounting portion <NUM>. A connection part <NUM> may be provided between the third contact part 101c and the first support part 102a. The connection part <NUM> may extend from the third contact part 101c and be inclined toward the first support part 102a.

The coupling protrusion <NUM> and the third contact part 101c may be coplanar. The connection part <NUM> may be inclined from the third contact part 101c to prevent the coupling protrusion <NUM> from structurally interfering with the first support part 102a. In other words, the connection part <NUM> may form a space in which the coupling protrusion <NUM> is positioned between the third contact part 101c and the first support part 102a.

The coupling protrusion <NUM> may further include the protrusion 104a protruding toward the first support part 102a.

The coupling protrusion <NUM> may be coupled to the coupling portion <NUM> provided on the rear surface of the display module <NUM>. The coupling protrusion <NUM> may be inserted into the coupling groove <NUM> of the coupling portion <NUM>, and the protrusion 104a may be inserted into the coupling hole <NUM> of the coupling portion <NUM>. When the coupling protrusion <NUM> is inserted into the coupling groove <NUM>, the coupling protrusion <NUM> may be primarily coupled to the coupling portion <NUM>. When the protrusion 104a is coupled to the coupling hole <NUM>, the coupling protrusion <NUM> may be secondarily coupled to the coupling portion <NUM>. The double coupling structure may reinforce a coupling force or a fixing force of the mounting device <NUM> with respect to the display module <NUM>.

As described above, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the mounting portion <NUM> of the mounting device <NUM> may be coupled to the border of the display module <NUM> by an elastic force. Also, the coupling protrusion <NUM> of the mounting device <NUM> may be coupled to the coupling portion <NUM> provided on the rear surface of the display module <NUM>. The mounting device <NUM> may be stably coupled to the display module <NUM> by the mounting portion <NUM> and the coupling protrusion <NUM>.

As described above, the mounting device <NUM> may be stably coupled to the display module <NUM> without using any coupling member. Also, the mounting device <NUM> may be separated from the display module <NUM> in the reverse order of a coupling order, and in this case, no coupling member may be needed.

The mobile device <NUM> may be supported and fixed to the mounting device <NUM> by the elastic force of the mounting device <NUM>. More specifically, the mobile device <NUM> may be fixed in the accommodating portion <NUM> of the mounting device <NUM> by an elastic force between the first support part 102a and the second support part 102b and an elastic force between the second support part 102b and the third support part 102c.

To prevent the mobile device <NUM> from slipping inside the mounting device <NUM>, the mounting device <NUM> may further include the non-slip member <NUM>. The non-slip member <NUM> may be provided on the first support part 102a. However, the non-slip member <NUM> may be provided on the third support part 102c, and a location of the non-slip member <NUM> is not limited.

<FIG> is a rear perspective view of a display apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention. <FIG> shows a mounting device in the display apparatus shown in <FIG>. <FIG> shows the mounting device shown in <FIG> at another angle. <FIG> shows a coupled structure of a display module, the mounting device, and a mobile device in the display apparatus shown in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the display apparatus <NUM> according to another embodiment of the invention includes the display module <NUM>, the support device <NUM>, and a mounting device <NUM>. Hereinafter, descriptions about the same components as those described above will be omitted.

The mounting device <NUM> according to another unclaimed embodiment of the disclosure may be coupled to the display module <NUM> or separated from the display module <NUM>, without using any member.

On the rear surface of the display module <NUM>, the coupling portion <NUM> may be provided so that the mounting device <NUM> is coupled to the display module <NUM>. The coupling portion <NUM> may include the coupling groove <NUM> into which the coupling protrusion <NUM> (which will be described later) of the mounting device <NUM> is inserted, and the coupling hole <NUM> into which the protrusion 204a of the coupling protrusion <NUM> is inserted.

The mounting device <NUM> includes a mounting portion <NUM> having a shape corresponding to the frame <NUM> forming the borders of the display module <NUM>, and an accommodating portion <NUM> accommodating the mobile device <NUM> and supporting the mobile device <NUM>.

The mounting portion <NUM> may include a first contact part 201a contacting a front border of the display module <NUM>, a second contact part 201b contacting a top border of the display module <NUM>, and a third contact part 201c contacting a rear border of the display module <NUM>.

The mounting portion <NUM> may include a mounting groove 201d formed by the first contact part 201a, the second contact part 201b, and the third contact part 201c, and having a shape corresponding to the frame <NUM>.

The mounting device <NUM> may further include a coupling protrusion <NUM>. The coupling protrusion <NUM> may extend from the third contact part 201c of the mounting portion <NUM>. A connection part <NUM> may be provided between the third contact part 201c and a first support part 202a. The connection part <NUM> may extend from the third contact part 201c and be inclined toward the first support part 202a.

The coupling protrusion <NUM> may further include a protrusion 204a protruding toward the first support part 202a.

The coupling protrusion <NUM> may be coupled to the coupling portion <NUM> provided on the rear surface of the display module <NUM>. The coupling protrusion <NUM> may be inserted into the coupling groove <NUM> of the coupling portion <NUM>, and the protrusion 204a may be inserted into the coupling hole <NUM> of the coupling portion <NUM>. When the coupling protrusion <NUM> is inserted into the coupling groove <NUM>, the coupling protrusion <NUM> may be primarily coupled to the coupling portion <NUM>. When the protrusion 204a is inserted into the coupling hole <NUM>, the coupling protrusion <NUM> may be secondarily coupled to the coupling portion <NUM>. The double coupling structure may reinforce a coupling force or a fixing force of the mounting device <NUM> with respect to the display module <NUM>.

The accommodating portion <NUM> includes the first support part 202a supporting one portion of the mobile device <NUM>, a second support part 202b supporting a lower portion of the mobile device <NUM> and extending from the first support part 202a to be nearly perpendicular to the first support part 202a, and a third support part 202c that supports the other portion of the mobile device <NUM> and may be rotatably coupled to the first support part 202a.

The first support part 202a and the second support part 202b may be integrated into one body, and the third support part 202c may be provided separately from the first support part 202a and the second support part 202b. The third support part 202c is hinge-coupled to the second support part 202b in such a way that it may be rotatable with respect to the second support part 202b.

The first support part 202a may include a non-slip member <NUM> for preventing the mobile device <NUM> from slipping. However, in unclaimed embodiments, the third support part 202c may include the non-slip member <NUM>.

The first support part 202a may include an arm portion <NUM> including a plurality of adjusting grooves <NUM>. A pair of arm portions <NUM> may extend from both side ends of the first support part 202a to be nearly perpendicular to the first support part 202a. The pair of arm portions <NUM> may face each other. Each arm portion <NUM> may include a plurality of adjusting grooves <NUM>, wherein the plurality of adjusting grooves <NUM> of the arm portion <NUM> may be opposite to a plurality of adjusting grooves <NUM> of the other arm portion <NUM>. The arm portions <NUM> may limit a side movement range of the mobile device <NUM>. The arm portions <NUM> may prevent the mobile device <NUM> from moving in side directions to be separated from the mounting device <NUM>.

The third support part 202c may include an adjusting protrusion <NUM> formed in a side surface of the third support part 202c. The adjusting protrusion <NUM> may be formed in both side surfaces of the third support part 202cf. A pair of adjusting protrusions <NUM> may be provided. The adjusting protrusion <NUM> may be inserted into the adjusting grooves <NUM>. When the adjusting protrusion <NUM> is inserted into one of the adjusting grooves <NUM>, a position of the third support part 202c with respect to the first support part 202a may be fixed. The adjusting protrusion <NUM> may be insert-combined with the adjusting groove <NUM> by elastic deformation.

A user may insert the adjusting protrusion <NUM> into an appropriate adjusting groove <NUM> by considering a thickness of the mobile device <NUM>. Thereby, the mobile device <NUM> may be fixed between the first support part 202a and the third support part 202c.

The third support part 202c may further include a handle 202d extending from the third support part 202c and inclined from the third support part 202c. The user may put his/her finger into a space between the handle 202d and the mobile device <NUM> to rotate the third support part 202c with respect to the first support part 202a. Accordingly, the adjusting protrusion <NUM> may be taken out of the adjusting groove <NUM>, and the third support part 202c may be decoupled from the first support part 202a. After the third support part 202c is decoupled from the first support part 202a, the user may separate the mobile device <NUM> from the mounting device <NUM>.

Although not shown in the drawings, the arm portion <NUM> may include a plurality of adjusting protrusions, and the third support part 202c may include an adjusting groove which is formed in the side surface of the third support part 202c and into which one of the adjusting protrusions is inserted.

<FIG> is a rear perspective view of a display apparatus according to another unclaimed embodiment of the disclosure. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view showing a display module, a mounting device, and a mobile device in the display apparatus shown in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the display apparatus <NUM> may include the display module <NUM>, the support device <NUM>, and a mounting device <NUM>.

The display module <NUM> may include a coupling portion 12a provided on the rear surface. The coupling portion 12a may be in a shape of a box of which at least two portions open. The coupling portion 12a may form an inside space together with the rear surface of the display module <NUM>. A pair of coupling portions 12a may be provided and the mounting device <NUM> may be positioned between the pair of coupling portions 12a.

The mounting device <NUM> may include a body <NUM> being in a shape of a cylinder having a through hole 301a (<FIG>) penetrating sides of the mounting device <NUM>, a first support portion <NUM> including an adjusting protrusion 302a positioned inside the through hole 301a, and a second support portion <NUM> including a plurality of adjusting grooves 303a accommodating the adjusting protrusion 302a inside the through hole 301a.

The body <NUM> may include a coupling protrusion <NUM> that is inserted into the inside space of the coupling portion 12a. The coupling protrusion <NUM> may protrude outward from a side surface of the body <NUM>. A pair of coupling protrusions <NUM> may be provided.

Hereinafter, one surface of the body <NUM>, which faces the rear surface of the display module <NUM>, will be referred to as a lower surface of the body <NUM>.

The body <NUM> may further include a non-slip member <NUM> for preventing the mobile device <NUM> from slipping. The non-slip member <NUM> may be provided on an upper surface of the body <NUM> to correspond to a shape of the upper surface of the body <NUM>. For example, the body <NUM> may be in a shape of a cylinder, and the non-slip member <NUM> may be in a shape of a circle corresponding to an upper surface of the cylinder.

The mounting device <NUM> may include the first support portion <NUM> and the second support portion <NUM>. The first support portion <NUM> may include the adjusting protrusion 302a. The second support portion <NUM> may include the plurality of adjusting grooves 303a accommodating the adjusting protrusion 302a. The first support portion <NUM> may be coupled to the second support portion <NUM> inside the through hole 301a formed in the body <NUM>, and when the adjusting protrusion 302a is inserted into one of the adjusting grooves 303a, the first support portion <NUM> may be coupled to the second support portion <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a state before the mounting device <NUM> is coupled to the display module <NUM> in the display apparatus <NUM> shown in <FIG>. <FIG> shows a state after the mounting device <NUM> is coupled to the display module <NUM> in the display apparatus <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the mounting device <NUM> may be coupled to the rear surface of the display module <NUM> and separated from the rear surface of the display module <NUM>, without using any coupling member.

As shown in <FIG>, the mounting device <NUM> may be coupled to the display module <NUM> by positioning the coupling protrusion <NUM> of the body <NUM> to a side of the coupling portion 12a and then rotating the body <NUM> in a clockwise direction in the drawing. While the body <NUM> rotates, the coupling protrusion <NUM> may move to the inside space of the coupling portion 12a to be accommodated in the side space. The coupling portion 12a may be in a shape of a box of which at least two parts open. The coupling protrusion <NUM> may move to the inside space of the coupling portion 12a through the open parts of the coupling portion 12a.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the coupling portion 12a shown in upper areas of <FIG> and <FIG> may open at the left and lower parts. The coupling protrusion <NUM> may rotate in the clockwise direction to move to the inside space of the coupling portion 12a and be accommodated in the inside space of the coupling portion 12a. Because the right part of the coupling portion 12a, as seen in <FIG> and <FIG>, is closed, the coupling portion 12a may be prevented from rotating to a predetermined range or more.

Likewise, the coupling portion 12a shown in lower areas of <FIG> and <FIG> may open at the right and upper parts. The coupling protrusion <NUM> may rotate in the clockwise direction to move to the inside space of the coupling portion 12a and be accommodated in the inside space of the coupling portion 12a. Because the left part of the coupling portion 12a, as seen in <FIG> and <FIG>, is closed, the body <NUM> may no longer rotate in the clockwise direction after the coupling protrusion <NUM> is accommodated in the inside space of the coupling portion 12a.

When the mounting device <NUM> is separated from the display module <NUM>, the above-described process may be performed in the reverse order so that the mounting device <NUM> may be easily separated from the display module <NUM>. When the body <NUM> rotates in a counterclockwise direction, the coupling protrusion <NUM> may be taken out of the inside space of the coupling portion 12a, and when the coupling protrusion <NUM> is taken out, the mounting device <NUM> may be separated from the display module <NUM>.

Although not shown in the drawings, a structure of the coupling portion may be slightly modified such that the body rotates in the counterclockwise direction to couple the mounting device to the display module. In this case, the body <NUM> may rotate in the clockwise direction to separate the mounting device <NUM> from the display module <NUM>.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view of the mounting device in the display apparatus shown in <FIG>. <FIG> shows a state in which a distance between the first support portion and the second support portion has increased in the mounting device shown in <FIG>.

Hereinafter, a method for mounting the mobile device <NUM> on the mounting device <NUM> according to another embodiment of the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, by positioning the mobile device <NUM> between the first support portion <NUM> and the second support portion <NUM> and then adjusting positions of the first support portion <NUM> and the second support portion <NUM>, the mounting device <NUM> may support the mobile device <NUM>.

At one end of the first support portion <NUM>, the adjusting protrusion 302a may be provided, and in the second support portion <NUM>, the plurality of adjusting grooves 303a may be provided along a direction in which the through hole 301a of the body <NUM> extends.

The adjusting protrusion 302a may be inserted into any one of the plurality of adjusting grooves 303a. When the adjusting protrusion 302a is inserted into any one of the plurality of adjusting grooves 303a, the first support portion <NUM> may be coupled to the second support portion <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the first support portion <NUM> and the second support portion <NUM> may respectively include support surfaces that contact sides of the mobile device <NUM> and support the mobile device <NUM>. The support surfaces may respectively include non-slip members 311a and 311b. The non-slip members 311a and 311b may be made of the same material as the non-slip member <NUM> provided on the upper surface of the body <NUM>. The non-slip members <NUM> provided on the support parts 302b and 303b may improve a frictional force with the sides of the mobile device <NUM>, and the non-slip member <NUM> provided on the upper surface of the body <NUM> may improve a frictional force with a front or rear surface of the mobile device <NUM>. By the non-slip members <NUM> and <NUM>, a frictional force between the mounting device <NUM> and the mobile device <NUM> may increase, and accordingly, the mounting device <NUM> may more stably support the mobile device <NUM>.

When the adjusting protrusion 302a is inserted into an adjusting groove 303a located at one end of the plurality of adjusting grooves 303a, a distance between the first support portion <NUM> and the second support portion <NUM> may become smallest. That the distance between the first support portion <NUM> and the second support portion <NUM> is smallest means that a distance between the non-slip member 311a positioned on the support part 302b of the first support portion <NUM> and the non-slip member 311b positioned on the support part 303b of the second support portion <NUM> is smallest. When the distance between the first support portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> is smallest, the distance between the first support portion <NUM> and the second support portion <NUM> may be smaller than a length of a shorter side of the mobile device <NUM>.

When the adjusting protrusion 302a is inserted into an adjusting groove 303a located at the other end of the plurality of adjusting grooves 303a, a distance between the first support portion <NUM> and the second support portion <NUM> may become greatest. When the distance between the first support portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> is greatest, the distance between the first support portion <NUM> and the second support portion <NUM> may be greatest than the length of the shorter side of the mobile device <NUM>.

As described above, the user may freely adjust a distance between the first support portion <NUM> and the second support portion <NUM>. The user may position the mobile device <NUM> between the first support portion <NUM> and the second support portion <NUM>, and then adjust a distance between the first support portion <NUM> and the second support portion <NUM> to the length of the shorter side of the mobile device <NUM>, thereby mounting the mobile device <NUM> on the mounting device <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a portion of a rear surface of a display module in a display apparatus according to an unclaimed embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the display apparatus <NUM> according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a printed circuit board <NUM> which is positioned inside the display module <NUM> and on which a near field communication (NFC) chip <NUM> is mounted.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the printed circuit board <NUM> on which the NFC chip <NUM> is mounted may be located at a position corresponding to the mounting device <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>. Due to the position of the printed circuit board <NUM>, the NFC chip <NUM> may be located close to the mobile device <NUM> that is mounted on the mounting device <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>.

According to the position of the printed circuit board <NUM> and the NFC chip <NUM>, when the mobile device <NUM> is mounted on the mounting device <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>, a NFC chip (not shown) installed inside the mobile device <NUM> may be tagged with the NFC chip <NUM> provided inside the display module <NUM>. The mobile device <NUM> may be set to be paired with the display module <NUM> when being NFC-tagged with the display module <NUM>. According to the setting of the mobile device <NUM>, when a user mounts the mobile device <NUM> on the mounting device <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> mounted on the display module <NUM>, the mobile device <NUM> may be automatically paired with the display module <NUM>. Because the user is capable of pairing the mobile device <NUM> with the display module <NUM> by mounting the mobile device <NUM> on the mounting device <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>, a user convenience may be improved.

Meanwhile, the mobile device <NUM> may be paired with the display module <NUM> by various methods. For example, the mobile device <NUM> may be connected to the display module <NUM> through NFC, Bluetooth, or Wireless-Fidelity (Wi-Fi). Also, the display module <NUM> may have a 5th Generation (<NUM>) network function. In this case, the display module <NUM> may be paired with the mobile device <NUM> having a <NUM> network function through a <NUM> network.

According to a technical concept of the disclosure, there is provided a display apparatus including a display module, a support device for rotatably supporting the display module, and a mounting device for mounting a mobile device on the display module.

According to another technical concept of the disclosure, there is provided a display apparatus capable of using a camera module of a mobile device to use a camera without including any camera module in the display apparatus.

According to another technical concept of the disclosure, there is provided a display apparatus capable of pairing a mobile device with a display module when the mobile device is mounted on a mounting device.

Claim 1:
A display apparatus comprising:
a display module (<NUM>) including a screen display area, and a frame (<NUM>) forming borders of the screen display area;
a support (<NUM>) configured to rotatably support the display module (<NUM>); and
a mounting device (<NUM>) configured to be coupled to the display module (<NUM>) and configured to mount a mobile device (<NUM>) on the display module (<NUM>),
wherein the mounting device (<NUM>) comprises:
a mounting portion (<NUM>) having a shape configured to receive the frame (<NUM>); and
an accommodating portion (<NUM>) configured to accommodate the mobile device (<NUM>), and
wherein the accommodating portion (<NUM>) includes:
a first support part configured (202a) to support one of a front portion and a rear portion of the mobile device (<NUM>);
a second support part (202b) configured to support a lower portion of the mobile device (<NUM>);
a third support part (202c) configured to support the other one of the front portion and the rear portion of the mobile device (<NUM>); and
a hinge part configured to hinge-connect the second support part (202b) and the third support part (202c).