U.S. patent application number 11/811593 was filed with the patent office on 2007-12-13 for flat panel display for accommodating portable computer.
This patent application is currently assigned to INNOLUX DISPLAY CORP.. Invention is credited to Yung-Hsiang Chen, Chien-Tung Chu, Che-Min Huang, Ming-Chih Huang, Hsiao-Ching Hung, Meng-Tse Tsai.
Application Number | 20070284323 11/811593 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38820831 |
Filed Date | 2007-12-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070284323 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chen; Yung-Hsiang ; et
al. |
December 13, 2007 |
Flat panel display for accommodating portable computer
Abstract
An exemplary flat panel display includes a display panel, a
supporting member, and a base portion. The supporting member
includes a main body portion and a bending portion extending
substantially toward a front side of the display panel. The base
portion adjoins the main body portion and the display panel has a
jointing portion pivotally connected to the bending portion. The
jointing portion of the display panel is located within a top half
region of the display panel, such that the display panel and the
supporting member define an accommodating space therebetween.
Inventors: |
Chen; Yung-Hsiang; (Miao-Li,
TW) ; Huang; Che-Min; (Miao-Li, TW) ; Tsai;
Meng-Tse; (Miao-Li, TW) ; Huang; Ming-Chih;
(Miao-Li, TW) ; Hung; Hsiao-Ching; (Miao-Li,
TW) ; Chu; Chien-Tung; (Miao-Li, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WEI TE CHUNG;FOXCONN INTERNATIONAL, INC.
1650 MEMOREX DRIVE
SANTA CLARA
CA
95050
US
|
Assignee: |
INNOLUX DISPLAY CORP.
|
Family ID: |
38820831 |
Appl. No.: |
11/811593 |
Filed: |
June 11, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/85.26 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16M 11/10 20130101;
G06F 1/1632 20130101; G06F 1/1601 20130101; F16M 2200/08 20130101;
F16M 11/22 20130101; G06F 2200/1612 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/85.26 |
International
Class: |
A47G 29/00 20060101
A47G029/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 9, 2006 |
TW |
95120553 |
Claims
1. A flat panel display comprising: a supporting member including a
main body portion and a bending portion, the bending portion
extending substantially toward a front side of the flat panel
display; a display panel including a jointing portion, the jointing
portion pivotally connected to the bending portion of the
supporting member; and a base portion adjoining the main body
portion of the supporting member; wherein the jointing portion of
the display panel is located within a top half region of the
display panel, and the display panel and the supporting member
define an accommodating space therebetween.
2. The flat panel display as set forth in claim 1, wherein a height
of the main body portion is at least half a height of the display
panel.
3. The flat panel display as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
jointing portion is located above half of the altitude of the
display panel.
4. The flat panel display as set forth in claim 3, wherein the
jointing portion is located in the range from about two-thirds of
the altitude of the display panel to about three-fourths of the
altitude of the display panel.
5. The flat panel display as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
display panel is spaced a predetermined distance away from the main
body portion and the base portion when the display panel is
perpendicular to the base portion.
6. The flat panel display as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
accommodating space is configured to receive a display screen of a
portable computer such that the portable computer and the flat
panel display can be used together by a user.
7. The flat panel display as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
jointing portion of the display panel is pivotally connected to the
bending portion of the supporting member through a hinge.
8. The flat panel display as set forth in claim 7, wherein the
display panel is capable of rotating through an angle of more than
90 degrees.
9. The flat panel display as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
display panel is provided with a back shield.
10. The flat panel display as set forth in claim 9, wherein the
back shield comprises rubber material.
11. The flat panel display as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
supporting member further includes a detachable rear cover fastened
onto the main body portion thereof.
12. The flat panel display as set forth in claim 11, wherein the
main body portion comprises a room where the detachable rear cover
is fastened thereto.
13. The flat panel display as set forth in claim 12, wherein a
plurality of protrusions are formed on an inner wall of the
room.
14. The flat panel display as set forth in claim 1, further
comprising a protective pad covering the base portion.
15. The flat panel display as set forth in claim 14, wherein the
protective pad comprises rubber material.
16. The flat panel display as set forth in claim 15, wherein the
protective pad has grooves formed at a surface thereof.
17. The flat panel display as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
main body portion and the base portion are formed as a single
body.
18. The flat panel display as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
flat panel display is selected from the group consisting of a
liquid crystal display and an organic light-emitting display.
19. A flat panel display and portable computer combination,
comprising: a portable computer comprising a display screen and a
keyboard; and a flat panel display comprising: a base portion; a
supporting member including a main body portion and a bending
portion, the main body portion adjoining the base portion and the
bending portion extending substantially toward a front side of the
flat panel display; and a display panel including a jointing
portion, the jointing portion pivotally connected to the bending
portion of the supporting member and located within a top half
region of the display panel; wherein the display screen of the
portable computer is received within an accommodating space defined
between the display panel and the supporting member, and the
keyboard of the portable computer is supported by the base
portion.
20. The flat panel display and portable computer combination as set
forth in claim 19, wherein the jointing portion is located above
half of the altitude of the display panel.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a flat panel display
configured to be conveniently used in cooperation with a portable
computer.
GENERAL BACKGROUND
[0002] Presently, numerous electronic products are manufactured to
feature high speed, high performance, small size, and low weight.
For example, flat panel displays are becoming more and more popular
by having the advantages of thinness, low weight, low power
consumption, and little or no radiation. Flat panel displays
include products such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and organic
light-emitting displays (OLEDs).
[0003] Referring to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, a typical flat panel display
1 includes a display panel 10, a supporting member 11, and a base
12. The supporting member 11 is provided with a pivot axle 13 at a
top thereof. The pivot axle 13 is connected to the display panel 10
such that the display panel 10 can be rotated relative to the
supporting member 11. Further, the supporting member 11 is movably
mounted on the base 12 such that the supporting member 11 and,
therefore, the display panel 10 can be turned left or right
relative to the base 12.
[0004] Larger screens and higher display qualities are often needed
in the home or office. In such cases, because a portable computer
typically has a limited display screen size and viewing angle, the
portable computer may not be able to provide satisfactory display
quality and performance. A user may prefer to connect the portable
computer to a flat panel display such as the flat panel display 1.
Thereby, the user can attain better display quality and
performance.
[0005] However, when a portable computer (not shown) and the flat
panel display 1 are used together, they occupy different positions
on a supporting surface such as a desktop or a tabletop.
Furthermore, the portable computer may be located some distance
away from the flat panel display 1. In this situation, it may be
inconvenient for a user to operate a keyboard of the portable
computer while simultaneously viewing a display screen of the
display panel 10 of the flat panel display 1.
[0006] There is a need for a flat panel display that can cooperate
with a portable computer in a way that overcomes the
above-described problems.
SUMMARY
[0007] An exemplary flat panel display includes a display panel, a
supporting member, and a base portion. The supporting member
includes a main body portion and a bending portion extending upward
and forward toward a front side of the flat panel display. The
display panel includes a jointing portion pivotally connected to
the bending portion of the supporting member. The base portion
adjoins the main body portion of the supporting member. The
jointing portion of the display panel is located within a top half
region of the display panel. As a result, the display panel and the
supporting member define an accommodating space therebetween.
[0008] An exemplary flat panel display and portable computer
combination including a portable computer and a flat panel display
is also disclosed. The flat panel display is configured to define a
space for receiving a display screen of the portable computer and a
base portion for supporting the keyboard of the portable computer
such that the portable computer and the flat panel display can be
used together by a user.
[0009] Unlike a conventional flat panel display, the present flat
panel display utilizes the accommodating space between the display
panel of the flat panel display and the supporting member and
behind the display panel to receive a display screen of a portable
computer when the portable computer and the flat panel display are
used together by a user. In this way, a keyboard of the portable
computer can be located directly in front of the display panel, and
the user can simultaneously operate the keyboard of the portable
computer and view the display panel of the flat panel display in a
most convenient way.
[0010] Other novel features and advantages will become more
apparent from the following detailed description when taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, all
the views are schematic.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a flat panel display
according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a right side elevation view of the flat panel
display of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a back elevation view of the flat panel display of
FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the flat panel display
of FIG. 1, showing a rear cover removed therefrom and an inner
space of a supporting member thereof.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the flat panel display
of FIG. 1 together with a portable computer.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a conventional flat
panel display.
[0017] FIG. 7 is a right side elevation view of the flat panel
display of FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a flat panel display
according to one embodiment of the invention is a liquid crystal
display 2. The liquid crystal display 2 includes a display panel
20, a supporting member 25, and a base portion 23. The supporting
member 25 has a main body portion 22, and a bending portion 21
extending upward and forward toward a front side of the display
panel 20 for a predetermined amount. Thereby, the display panel 20
is positioned a desired distance from the main body portion 22 in a
desired location. Furthermore, the base portion 23 and the
supporting member 25 are formed as a single body, with the main
body portion 22 adjoining the base portion 23. The display panel 20
is provided with a jointing portion 26. The jointing portion 26 is
connected to the bending portion 21 via a hinge or like mechanism.
Thereby, the display panel 20 is capable of rotating through an
angle of more than 90 degrees relative to the supporting member
25.
[0019] Referring also to FIG. 4, the main body portion 22 is
substantially perpendicular to the base portion 23 and
substantially parallel to a front end of the base portion 23. A
height of the main body portion 22 is at least half a height of the
display panel 20. The jointing portion 26 is distant from a bottom
end of the display panel 20 and located within a top half region of
the display panel 20. Preferably, the jointing portion 26 is
located far above half of the altitude of the display panel 20. In
the illustrated embodiment, the jointing portion 26 is located in
the range from about two-thirds of the altitude of the display
panel 20 to about three-fourths of the altitude of the display
panel 20. Thereby, the display panel 20 is spaced a predetermined
distance away from the main body portion 22 and the base portion 23
when the display panel 20 is perpendicular to the base portion 23.
In this way, an accommodating space 24 between the display panel
20, the supporting member 25 and the base portion 23 is
defined.
[0020] Referring also to FIG. 3, the supporting member 25 further
includes a detachable rear cover 221. The detachable rear cover 221
is fastened onto a back of the supporting member 25 by any of
various known buckling structures or means such as deformable
detents. The detachable rear cover 221 is capable of being readily
detached by a user when required. Referring again to FIG. 4, a room
222 is defined inside the main body portion 22 of the supporting
member 25 where the detachable rear cover 221 is attached. Four
symmetrically arranged cylinder-shaped protrusions 223 are provided
on an inner wall of the room 222. The protrusions 223 are used for
winding power source lines and signal lines of the flat panel
display 2 therearound. Thereby, the power source and signal lines
can be gathered in the room 222, and space can be saved to
facilitate transportation and storage of the liquid crystal display
2. In alternative embodiments, the number of protrusions 223 can be
other than four, and the protrusions 223 can have any desired shape
other than cylinder. In particular, the number and shape of the
protrusions can be configured according to the particular power
source lines and signal lines involved.
[0021] Referring also to FIG. 5, when a user of a portable computer
3 wants to combine use of his/her portable computer 3 with the flat
panel display 2, he/she can rotate the display panel 20 upward to a
first position such that the portable computer 3 can be
appropriately positioned on the base portion 23. A display screen
30 of the portable computer 3 is opened up, and thereby
accommodated within the accommodating space 24. Then the user can
rotate the display panel 20 down to a second position that provides
a good viewing angle.
[0022] With this arrangement, a keyboard 31 of the portable
computer 3 can be located directly in front of the display panel
20. The portable computer 3 is connected to the flat panel display
2 via corresponding signal transmission ports. The user can
simultaneously operate the keyboard 31 and view the display panel
20. Since the keyboard 31 is located right in front of the display
panel 20, the simultaneous operation of the keyboard 31 and viewing
of the display panel 20 is most convenient.
[0023] Additionally, the display panel 20 is provided with a back
shield 201 on a back thereof, and the base portion 23 is covered
with a protective pad 231. The back shield 201 is typically made of
rubber. The back shield 201 helps prevent the display screen 30 of
the portable computer 3 from being damaged. The protective pad 231
is typically made of rubber, and has a plurality of grooves formed
at a surface thereof. The protective pad 231 provides
heat-dissipating for the portable computer 3, protects the portable
computer 3 from colliding with the base portion 23, and lowers
electrostatic effects between the portable computer 3 and the base
portion 23.
[0024] In alternative embodiments, each of the back shield 201 of
the display panel 20 and the protective pad 231 on the base portion
23 can be made of a suitable, soft protective material other than
rubber. The back shield 201 can have any desired shape or area. The
connection between the display panel 20 and the bending portion 21
is not limited to being a pivot joint type of connection. The
jointing portion 26 on the display panel 20 can be located at any
position within a top half region of the display panel 20, as long
as the accommodating space between the display panel 20, the
supporting member 25 and the base portion 23 is sufficient and
suitable to receive an opened display screen.
[0025] In another embodiment, the inventive flat panel display can
be an organic light-emitting display. It is to be further
understood that even though numerous characteristics and advantages
of the present embodiments have been set out in the foregoing
description, together with details of the structures and functions
of the embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only, and
changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of size, and
arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the
full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms
during which the appended claims are expressed.
* * * * *