Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The invention relates to a monitor, and especially relates to a monitor with a detachable console. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    In general, a present monitor has a function of displaying an on-screen display menu for a user to set displaying parameters of the monitor. The user needs keys on the rim of the monitor for the manipulation. In most cases, the user may need to set a plurality of parameters. The setting for each parameter may need several pushes on the keys. So, for an entire setting, the user needs to push the keys a dozen to dozens times, which takes ten to twenty seconds or more. A common user may be tolerant to the above case in a common scenario such as processing documents, seeing movies and other non-real-time scenarios. However, in a scenario that a gamer needs to perform the parameter setting such as changing displaying size or brightness during a real-time game, the gamer is requested to spare one hand, time, and attention for the setting; it is obviously unrealistic. 
         [0005]    Furthermore, the body of the user is required to approach the monitor so as to successfully push keys. Pushing keys induces shaking of the whole monitor. These manipulation phenomena are not only inconvenient for common users but also quite bothersome for gamers, even leading to failure in games. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    An objective of the invention is to provide a monitor, which uses a detachable console to provide a user a setting manipulation close by and has switch keys disposed on the console for a user to switch displaying modes quickly, so as to effectively solve the problems of wasting time and shaking induced by setting the displaying parameters in the prior art. 
         [0007]    A monitor according to the invention includes a displaying device, a supporting device, and a console. The supporting device is connected to and supports the displaying device. The console is connected in communication to the displaying device and is capable of being engaged with the supporting device. The console includes a first switch key and a second switch key. The displaying device is capable of being triggered to switch to a first displaying mode by the first switch key. The displaying device is capable of being triggered to switch to a second displaying mode by use of the second switch key. Thereby, the console is capable of being disengaged from the supporting device and the displaying device to a user. Then, the user can use the console to perform manipulation of displaying parameters of the displaying device and also to switch to the first displaying mode and the second displaying mode directly, even to more displaying modes. 
         [0008]    Another monitor according to the invention includes a displaying device, a mounting, a support, and an input device. The mounting is disposed on a plane and has a mounting left end and a mounting right end. One of the mounting left end and the mounting right end has an engagement structure. The support is disposed between the displaying device and the mounting. The support supports the displaying device on the mounting. The input device is electrically connected to the displaying device. The mounting is capable of being engaged with the input device by the engagement structure or being departed from the input device selectively. Similarly, a user can depart the input device from the mounting for manipulation close by. 
         [0009]    In short, the console according to the invention is designed in a detachable way, so the user can not only quickly switch the displaying modes, but also can avoid the inconvenience of manipulating with being required to be close to the displaying device in the prior art and the problem of the displaying device shaking induced by manipulation by fingers directly on the displaying device in the prior art. Therefore, the invention can effectively solve the problems of wasting time, distraction, shaking, and so on induced by setting or switching the displaying modes in the prior art. 
         [0010]    These and other objectives of the present invention will no doubt become obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment that is illustrated in the various figures and drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a monitor of a preferred embodiment according to the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a back view of the monitor in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of the engagement for the mounting and the console of another embodiment according to the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of the console of the monitor in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a partial section of the console along the cutting line X-X in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram of an on-screen display menu for the displaying parameters of the displaying device of the monitor. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a partial section of the console according to another embodiment. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram of a monitor of the invention according to another preferred embodiment. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a schematic diagram of a monitor of the invention according to another preferred embodiment. 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a schematic diagram of a monitor of the invention according to another preferred embodiment. 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a schematic diagram of a monitor of the invention according to another preferred embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    Please refer to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a monitor  1  of a preferred embodiment according to the present invention.  FIG. 2  is a back view of the monitor  1 . The monitor  1  includes a displaying device  12 , a supporting device  14 , and a console  16  (or other input device, the invention is not limited to it). The supporting device  14  is connected to and supports the displaying device  12 . The console  16  is connected in communication to the displaying device  12  and is capable of being engaged with the supporting device  14 . In the embodiment, the console  16  is electrically connected to a universal serial bus connection port  122  of the displaying device  12  by a cable  18 . However, the invention is not limited to this; the console  16  is alternatively capable of being connected to the displaying device  12  through any other connection ports, even through a wireless connection. 
         [0023]    The supporting device  14  includes amounting  142  and a support  144 . The support  144  is disposed between the displaying device  12  and the mounting  142 . The mounting  142  can be placed on a plane (not shown in the figure) such as tabletop; however, the invention is not limited to it. The displaying device  12  is supported by the support  144 . The displaying device  12  thereon defines a view direction  124 ; correspondingly, the mounting  142  thereon defines a disposition direction  1422  perpendicular to the view direction  124 . The mounting  142  includes an engagement structure  1424  along the disposition direction  1422  on each of two sides of the mounting  142 . In other words, the mounting  142  has a mounting left end  1421   a  and a mounting right end  1421   b . Each of the mounting left end  1421   a  and the mounting right end  1421   b  has the engagement structure  1424 . Thereby, the console  16  is capable of being engaged with the supporting device  14  by either of the engagement structures  1424 , or being departed from the mounting  142 . There are two of the engagement structures  1424  in the embodiment; hence, a user is able to choice either of the engagement structures  1424  by his habit to engage. That is, the user can use his left or right hand to engage the console  16  to the mounting  142  by the left or right side. However, for the disposition, quantity, and geometric structure of the engagement structure  1424 , the invention is still not limited to the above disclosure. 
         [0024]    It is added that, in the embodiment, the mounting  142  has a mounting top surface  1423 . The console  16  has an input-device top surface  161 . When the mounting  142  is engaged with the console  16  by the engagement structure  1424 , the mounting top surface  1423  and the input-device top surface  161  are coplanar. Furthermore, the mounting  142  has a mounting front edge  1425 . The console  16  has an input-device front edge  163 . Similarly, when the mounting  142  is engaged with the console  16  by the engagement structure  1424 , the mounting front edge  1425  is aligned with the input-device front edge  163 . In addition, as the engagement direction of the console  16  and the mounting  142  shown in  FIG. 1 , the console  16  has an input-device left end  165   a  and an input-device right end  165   b . There is one of the engagement structures  1424  at the mounting left end  1421   a . The input-device right end  165   b  is capable of being engaged with the mounting left end  1421   a  by the engagement structure  1424  at the mounting left end  1421   a , while the input-device left end  165   a  has a plurality of buttons (i.e. the buttons marked with numbers ‘1’, ‘2’ and ‘3’ and a return symbol). 
         [0025]    In the embodiment, the engagement structure  1424  is a protrusion basically; the console  16  has a depression  162  correspondingly (shown in dashed lines in  FIG. 2 ). The console  16  realizes the engagement purpose of the console  16  and the supporting device  14  by the joining the depression  162  and the protrusion together. In practice, the protrusion may include some structure features thereon so that the depression  162  and the protrusion can be joined tight. For example, the engagement sections of the protrusion and the depression  162  can be designed to be more complex in geometry so as to increase the contact area between the protrusion and the depression  162 ; or the protrusion thereon forms ribs (the extension direction of which is non-parallel to the disposition direction  1422 ) while the depression  162  forms corresponding slots inside, so as to produce the effect of holding. Furthermore, because the console  16  has depressions  162  on the both sides, the user can engage the console  16  with the mounting  142  by either engagement structure  1424  on different side; however, the invention is not limited to this. It is added that, in practice, the engagement structure  1424  can be a depression, and the console  16  includes a protrusion correspondingly for being engaged with the depression. Please refer to the above description for the engagement herein, which is no longer to be discussed more. In addition, the engagement mechanism using geometric structure has the effect of positioning, so by the design of appearance dimensions of the console  16  and the mounting  142 , the whole profile of the console  16  engaged with the mounting  142  together is continuous and smooth to show an integral whole, which improves the appearance of the product. 
         [0026]    Please refer to  FIG. 3 , which is a schematic diagram of the engagement for the mounting  142  and the console  16  of another embodiment according to the present invention. In this embodiment, there is no engagement structure meshing with each other for the mounting  142  and the console  16 . However, the mounting  142  and the console  16  includes magnetic parts  1426  and  164  respectively, so the console  16  is capable of being mounted on the mounting  142  by use of the magnetic attraction induced by the magnetic parts  1426  and  164 . In practice, the magnetic parts  1426  and  164  can be disposed outside or inside the mounting  142  and the console  16 , even integrated into a part of the case thereof. The magnetic parts  1426  and  164  can be made of magnetic material; or one of the magnetic parts  1426  and  164  is a magnet, and the other is made of magnet-conductive material. However, the invention is not limited to this. In this embodiment, there is no engagement structure meshing with each other, so the user to attach the console  16  on the mounting  142  more easily. In addition, in practice, for the advantages of the alignment accuracy of physical geometric structure and the convenience of magnetic engagement, a meshing structure such as pyramids  1428  and holes  166  (shown in dashed lines) for guiding the engagement may be added to the engagement interface in  FIG. 3 . It is added that, in the engagement mechanism shown in  FIG. 2 , magnets may be disposed in the engagement structures  1424  and the depressions  162  respectively to improve the engagement stability of the console  16  and the mounting  142 . 
         [0027]    Please refer to  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of the console  16  of the monitor  1  in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 5  is a partial section of the console  16  for showing the interior thereof; the position of the cutting plane for the section is shown as the cutting line X-X in  FIG. 4  substantially. The console  16  includes three switch keys  168   a ,  168   b  ad  168   c , a back key  170 , a rotary part  172 , and a confirmation key  174 . In the embodiment, the rotary part  172  is a rotary wheel, the rotation of which is sensed by use of a sensor  176 . The confirmation key  174  is disposed below the shaft of the rotary part  172  (as shown in  FIG. 5 ). The rotary part  172  can be pressed down to trigger the confirmation key  174 . A user can set the displaying parameters, including sizes, brightness, saturation, contrast, horizontal position, vertical position and so on, of the displaying device  12  by use of the back key  170 , the rotary part  172  and the confirmation key  174 . For a general setting operation, an on-screen display menu  126  relative to the displaying parameters of the displaying device is shown as in  FIG. 6 . In the embodiment, the on-screen display menu  126  is a nest structure to be displayed in single list, which is conducive to selecting by use of the rotary wheel; however, the invention is not limited to this. 
         [0028]    Furthermore, in practice, there are displaying parameters having been stored in advance correspondingly to each of the switch keys  168   a ,  168   b  and  168   c . If any one of the switch keys  168   a ,  168   b  and  168   c  is triggered (such as by pressing), the displaying device  12  will be switched to a displaying mode relative to the displaying parameters corresponding to the pressed switch key  168   a ,  168   b  or  168   c . In the embodiment, the user can also use the back key  170 , the rotary part  172 , and the confirmation key  174  to set the displaying parameters correspondingly to the switch keys  168   a ,  168   b  and  168   c  respectively. For example, when the user has set the displaying parameters by use of the on-screen display menu  126 , the user can press any one of the switch keys  168   a ,  168   b  and  168   c  for some time (for example 5 seconds or any other set time) to store the present displaying parameters corresponding to the pressed switch key  168   a ,  168   b  or  168   c . In addition, according to a program design, the user can press anyone of the switch keys  168   a ,  168   b  and  168   c  for some time (for example 10 seconds or any other set time, usually longer than the time for storing abovementioned) to restore a default displaying parameters corresponding to the pressed switch key  168   a ,  168   b  or  168   c . In sum, the switch keys  168   a ,  168   b  and  168   c  corresponds to different displaying parameters respectively. Anyone of the switch keys  168   a ,  168   b  and  168   c  can be triggered (such as by pressing) for switching the displaying device  12  to operate in the displaying mode relative to the displaying parameters corresponding to the pressed switch key  168   a ,  168   b  or  168   c . Therefore, in the embodiment, the displaying device  12  has at least three displaying modes; for example, except for the original displaying modes corresponding to the switch keys  168   a ,  168   b  and  168   c , the switch keys  168   a ,  168   b  and  168   c  can be triggered together with the back key  170  for switching more displaying modes. In practice, the above-mentioned displaying modes can be a bright displaying mode, a predetermination-sized displaying mode, a theater displaying mode, a game displaying mode, a darkroom displaying mode, a document-processing displaying mode and so on. 
         [0029]    It is added that the operation design for the keys (including the switching keys  168   a ,  168   b  and  168   c , the back key  170 , the rotary part  172 , and the confirmation key  174 ) can involve more functions depending on different program designs to satisfy different demands. Further, the invention is not limited to controlling the displaying modes of the displaying device  12 . For example, the invention is also applied to interactive manipulations on the displaying content of the displaying device  12 . The above is not described one by one herein. In addition, in practice, the operation for triggering the switch keys  168   a ,  168   b  and  168   c  is not limited to pressing; for example, if the switch keys  168   a ,  168   b  and  168   c  are realized by a touch panel, the triggering can be performed by touching the touch panel. Furthermore, in practice, the user can remove the console  16  from the mounting  142  to approach his body for convenient operation; alternatively, the user can reach his hands for operation, which does not trouble the user much. Anyway, the user can operate easily to switch the displaying modes for the displaying device  12  by use of the switch keys  168   a ,  168   b  and  168   c  without the problem of the on-screen display menu  126  shadowing the screen, which solves the problem of inconvenience, wasting time, distraction and so on during the switching in the prior. Besides, the console  16  does not directly contact the displaying device  12 , so the hands of the user will not affect the displaying device  12  during the operation on the console  16  and the shaking problem in the problem is therefore avoided. 
         [0030]    Please refer to  FIG. 7 , which is a partial section of the console  16  according to another embodiment for showing the interior thereof. Compared with the console  16  in  FIG. 5 , in this embodiment, the rotary part of the console  16  in  FIG. 7  is a trackball  173  and the sensor of console  16  is a photo-sensor  177  for sensing the two-dimensional rolling of the trackball  173 . The carrier  178  for carrying the trackball  173  shows a cantilever structure (or other elastic structures). The confirmation key  174  is disposed under the free end of the carrier  178  such that the trackball  173  can be pressed to make the carrier  178  press down the confirmation key  174 , and the operation of triggering the confirmation key  174  is therefore completed. It is added that the trackball  173  can provide pointer operation of two-dimensional movement, so the on-screen display menu  126  (as shown in  FIG. 6 ) can be displayed in an arrangement of multiple lists in this embodiment, and the user can perform selection and setting by use of the trackball  173 . 
         [0031]    In the above embodiments, they are illustrated for the invention by the supporting device  14  mainly consisting of the single mounting  142  and the single support  144 ; however, the invention is not limited to this. Please refer to  FIG. 8 , which is a schematic diagram of a monitor  3  of the invention according to another preferred embodiment. A mounting  342  of a supporting device  34  of the monitor  3  includes a base  3422  and two feet  3424 . The two feet  3424  are symmetrically connected to the base  3422 . A support  344  of supporting device  34  is connected to the base  3422 . An engagement structure  3426  of the mounting  342  is disposed on the base  3422  between the two feet  3424 . A displaying device  32  of the monitor  3  is connected to the support  344 . A console  36  is connected in communication to the displaying device  32  by a cable  38  and is capable of being disposed between the two feet  3424  to be connected to the engagement structure  3426 . In the embodiment, the engagement structure  3426  is a wedge structure where the console  36  has a corresponding wedge structure to be connected. Similarly, the engagement structure  3426  can be replaced with magnetic parts so that the magnetic attraction replaces the structure constraint, or the engagement structure  3426  further includes magnetic parts therein for the both advantages. The above-mentioned explanation for the engagement structure and the magnetic part is also applied herein, which is not repeated. It is added that the rotary part of the console  36  is a rotary wheel  362 . A confirmation key is disposed under the rotary wheel  362  and is capable of being triggered by pressing the rotary wheel  362 . An applicable structure for the confirmation key can be easily realized according to the description of the above embodiments, which will not be described. Switch keys  364   a ,  364   b  and  364   c  of the console  36  are disposed at a side of the main body of the console  36 . A back key  366  of the console  36  is disposed in the hollow portion of the rotary wheel  362 . Regarding descriptions for other components of the monitor  3 , please refer to the relevant descriptions mentioned above of the components with the same names of the monitor  1 , which will not be repeated. 
         [0032]    Please refer to  FIG. 9 , which is a schematic diagram of a monitor  5  of the invention according to another preferred embodiment. A displaying device  52  of the monitor  5  is connected to a support  544  of a supporting device  54  of the monitor  5 . A mounting top surface  5423  of a mounting  542  of the supporting device  54  of the monitor thereon forms a rectangle depression slot  5422  having an accommodating space, regarded as the engagement structure for accommodating a console  56 . Thereby, the console  56  can be accommodated in the accommodating space or be taken out of the accommodating space selectively. In the embodiment, the profile of the rectangle depression slot  5422  matches the profile of the console  56 ; however, the invention is not limited to this. The console  56  and displaying device  52  are connected in communication with a cable  58 . The rotary part of the console  56  is a rotary wheel  562 . Directly pressing the rotary wheel  562  can trigger a confirmation key of the console  56 . The rotary wheel  562 , a back key  564 , and switch keys  566   a ,  566   b  and  566   c  are arranged in order on the main body of the console  56 . Regarding descriptions for other components of the monitor  5 , please refer to the relevant descriptions mentioned above of the components with the same names of the monitor  1 , which will not be repeated. It is added that, in practice, the rectangle depression slot  5422  can be a through hole passing through the mounting  542  with a bottom directly by the top of a desk; therefore, the console  56  can still be accommodated in the rectangle depression slot  5422  stably. 
         [0033]    Please refer to  FIG. 10 , which is a schematic diagram of a monitor  7  of the invention according to another preferred embodiment. A displaying device  72  of the monitor  7  is connected to a support  744  of a supporting device  74  of the monitor  7 . Amounting top surface  7423  of a mounting  742  of the supporting device  74  of the monitor thereon forms a circular depression slot  7422  having an accommodating space, regarded as the engagement structure for accommodating a console  76 . Thereby, the console  76  can be accommodated in the accommodating space or be taken out of the accommodating space selectively. In the embodiment, the profile of the circular depression slot  7422  matches the profile of the console  76 ; however, the invention is not limited to this. The console  76  and displaying device  72  are connected in communication with a cable  78 . The rotary part of the console  76  is a rotary wheel  762 . A confirmation key  764  and a back key  766  of the console  76  are disposed at two sides of the main body of the console  76  respectively. Switch keys  768   a ,  768   b  and  768   c  are disposed in the hollow portion of the rotary wheel  762 . Regarding descriptions for other components of the monitor  7 , please refer to the relevant descriptions mentioned above of the components with the same names of the monitors  1  and  5 , which will not be repeated. 
         [0034]    Please refer to  FIG. 11 , which is a schematic diagram of a monitor  9  of the invention according to another preferred embodiment. A support  944  of a supporting device  94  of the monitor  9  consists mainly of two pillars. A displaying device  92  of the monitor  9  is connected to the support  944 . A mounting  942  of the supporting device  94  thereon forms a circular protrusive pedestal  9422  as the engagement structure for accommodating a console  96 , slightly protruding out the mounting  942  between the two pillars. In the embodiment, the circular protrusive pedestal  9422  forms a protrusion-and-depression structure thereon. The bottom of the console  96  thereon forms a corresponding protrusion-and-depression structure (not shown in the figure) for engaging with the circular protrusive pedestal  9422 . Such design can also achieve the engagement of the console with the supporting device. Furthermore, in the embodiment, the console  96  and the displaying device  92  transit signals by wireless communication, which saves a cable for electrical connection so that the appearance of the monitor  9  is simpler. The rotary part of the console  96  is a rotary wheel  962 . Directly pressing the rotary wheel  962  can trigger a confirmation key of the console  96 . The rotary wheel  962 , a back key  964 , and switch keys  966   a ,  966   b  and  966   c  are adjacent to be arranged at the circumference of the main body of the console  96 . Regarding descriptions for other components of the monitor  9 , please refer to the relevant descriptions mentioned above of the components with the same names of the monitors  1  and  5 , which will not be repeated. 
         [0035]    It is added that, the above embodiments are exampled illustrated for the invention by the console capable of being engaged with the mounting of the supporting device; however, the invention is not limited to this. For example, the console can also hang on the support. In this case, the console does not physically contact the displaying device either, so manipulation on the console on the support does not induce any noticeable shaking of the displaying device. 
         [0036]    As discussed above, compared to the prior art, the console of the invention is designed to be detachable, so that the user can remove the console from the supporting device for manipulation close by or can manipulate the console when the console is still engaged with the supporting, which depends on the user&#39;s habits. No matter which the user takes, the invention can provide the user convenient setting manipulation and quick switching manipulation; moreover, the console does not physically contact the displaying device, so the manipulation does not induce any noticeable shaking of the displaying device. Therefore, the invention can effectively solve the problems of wasting time, distraction, shaking, and soon induced by setting or switching the displaying modes in the prior art. 
         [0037]    Those skilled in the art will readily observe that numerous modifications and alterations of the device and method may be made while retaining the teachings of the invention.

Technology Category: 3