BACK PANEL FOR VIDEO DISPLAY DEVICE

Abstract

A back panel for a display device, such as a flat-panel television or computer monitor, which is very thin around the edges and houses all electronics in a “spine” near the vertical center of the back of the display. The back panel provides novel heat-dissipation, arrangement of electronics to save space, forces the center of gravity forward allowing the display to be set closer to a wall, and provides less interference and signal degradation than the prior art.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a depiction of the flat panel display of the invention from the back.

FIG. 2 is a depiction of the flat panel display of the invention from the side.

FIG. 3 a is a depiction of the connectors on either side of the “spine.”

FIG. 3 b is a depiction of the connectors on one side of the “spine” and the connectors placement with respect to the screen of the display.

FIG. 4 is a depiction of the mounting of the “spine” on a screen backing.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the mainboard used in the “spine” of the present invention.

Claims

1. A visual display device comprising: a flat-panel screen for visual display;electronics elements, connected to said screen, for controlling the operation of the visual display device, and arranged substantially vertically, substantially adjacent to a center of a back of said flat-panel screen;a center housing, enclosing said electronics elements;first and second side housings, disposed on the back of the visual display device, each located on opposite sides of said center housing;wherein the visual display device is substantially thinner in the areas of said first and second side housings; andconnectors, connected to said electronics elements and mounted on the sides of said center housing.

2-11. (canceled)

12. The visual display device of claim 1, wherein said electronic elements comprise a single circuit board disposed within said center housing.

13. The visual display device of claim 1, wherein said electronic elements are electrically connected to said screen at a single point by connecting means, said means including a cable, socket, and other suitable connecting elements.

14. A visual display device comprising: a flat-panel screen for visual display;electronic elements for controlling the operation of the visual display device, mounted on a single printed circuit board and electrically connected to said screen at a single point by connecting means, and;wherein said electronic elements are arranged substantially vertically, substantially adjacent to a center of a back of said flat-panel screen;a center housing enclosing said electronic elements;first and second side housings, disposed on the back of the visual display device on opposite sides of said center housing;wherein said visual display device is substantially thinner in the areas of said first and second side housings; andconnectors, connected to ssaid electronic elements and mounted on the sides of said center housing.

15. The visual display device of claim 14, wherein said visual display device is a computer monitor.

16. The visual display device of claim 14, wherein said visual display device is a television.

17. The visual display device of claim 14, wherein said center housing further contains structural reinforcement to permit mounting of said visual display device onto a support structure.

18. The visual display device of claim 17, wherein said center housing furhter contains mounting hardware, and wherein said mounting hardware has a standard size independent of the size of said visual display device.

19. The back panel of a visual display device comprising: electronic elements for the operation of the visual display device, said electronic elements being arranged in a vertical manner and located substantially near a central portion of a back side of the back panel; anda raised center housing affixed to the back panel and enclosing said electronic elements.

20. The back panel of claim 19, wherein said electronic elements are mounted on a single circuit board disposed within said center housing.

21. The back panel of claim 19, wherein said electronic elements are capable of electrical connection to a visual display screen at a single point by connecting means, said connecting means including a cable, socket, and other suitable connecting elements.

22. The back panel of claim 19, including connectors mounted on the sides of said center housing and connected to said electronic elements.

23. The back panel of claim 19, wherein the visual display device is a television.

24. The back panel of claim 19, wherein the visual display device is a computer monitor.

25. The back panel of claim 19, wherein said center housing further contains structural reinforcement to permit mounting of the visual display device onto a support structure.

26. The back panel of claim 25, wherein said center housing further contains mounting hardware of a standard size, independent of the size of the back panel.

27. A back panel for a visual display device comprising: electronic elements for controlling the operation of the visual display devicemounted on a single printed circuit board capable of electrical connection at a single point by connecting means to a screen for visual display, and;said electronic elements being arranged in a vertical manner and located substantially near a central portion of the back panel;a raised center housing, enclosing said electronics; andconnectors, mounted on the sides of said center housing and electrically connected to said electronic elements.

28. A visual display device comprising; a screen for visual display;electronic elements for the operation of the visual display device, said electronic elements being arranged in a vertical manner and located substantially near a central portion of a back side of the visual display device; anda center housing enclosing said electronic elements.

29. A manufactering process comprising the steps of: providing a standard sized center housing;combining said standard sized center housing with one of a pluraltiy of different sized flat-panel screen.

30. A method of manufacturing visual display devices of varying sizes comprising the steps of; manufacturing a plurality of standardized electronic and center housings;manufacturing a plurality of flat-panel screens of varying sizes;manufacturing a plurality of first and second side panels of varying sizes, each set of first and second side panels having a size sufficient to cover portions of a back of a corresponding flat-panel screen; andattaching said electronics, said center housing and said first and second side panels to a back side of each of said flat-panel screens.

31. A manufacturing process comprising the steps of: providing standardized electronic elements for control of a visual display device;providing a center housing;providing a flat-panel screen;integrating said standardized electronic elements with said center housing and said flat-panel screen.

32. A manufacturing process comprising the steps of: providing a standardized heatsink;providing a center housing;providing a flat-panel screen;integrating said standardized heatsink with said center housing and said flat-panel screen.

33. A manufacturing process comprising the steps of: providing a standardized main controller board;providing a center housing;providing a flat-panel screen;integrating said standardized main controller board with said center housing and said flat-panel screen.

34. A manufacturing process comprising the steps of: providing a standardized power supply;providing a center housing;providing a flat-panel screen;integrating said standardized power supply with said center housing and said flat-panel screen.

35. A manufacturing process comprising the steps of: providing standardized software;providing a center housing;providing a flat-panel screen;integrating said standard software with said center housing and a flat-panel screen.

36. A manufacturing process comprising the steps of: providing a standard base connector;providing a center housing;providing a flat-panel screen;integrating said standard base connector with said center housing and said flat-panel screen.

37. A manufacturing process comprising the steps of: providing a main board, wherein said main board incorporates all logic, sound, and video control elements;providing a flat-panel screen;integrating said main board with said flat-panel screen.

38. A visual display device comprising: a flat-panel screen for visual display;electronic elements for controlling the operation of the visual display device, connected to said screen, wherein said electronics are arranged in a vertical manner and positioned substantially adjacent to a center of a back of said flat-panel screen;a center housing, enclosing said electronics;first and second side housings located on opposite sides of said center housing, each covering a portion of the back of said flat-panel screen;wherein said center housing has a depth that is greater than said first and second side panels; andconnectors mounted on said center housing and electrically connected to said electronic elements.

39. The device of claim 38 wherein said depth of said center housing is measured from said back of said flat-panel screen to an outer surface of said center housing.

40. The device of claim 38 wherein said depth of said first and second side panels is measured from said back of said flat-panel screen to an outer surface of said first and second side panels.

41. The device of claim 40 wherein the depth of said first side panel is substantially equal to the depth of said second side panel.

42. The device of claim 38 wherein said connectors are mounted on side edges of said center housing and disposed in a substantially horizontal orientation.

43. The device of claim 38 wherein said electronics comprising a single printed circuit board.

44. A visual display device comprising: a flat-panel screen for visual display having a back;electronic elements for controlling the operation of the visual display device, connected to said screen, and arranged in a vertical manner and positioned substantially adjacent to a center of said back;a center housing, enclosing said electronic elements;first and second side housings located on opposite sides of said center housing, each covering a portion of said back; wherein said center housing has a first depth that is measured from said flat-panel screen to an outer surface of said center housing, and said first and second side housings each have a second depth that is measured from said flat-panel screen to an outer surface of said first and second side housings, said first depth being greater than said second depth; andconnectors mmounted on the sides of said center housing in a substantially horizontal orientation and electrically connected to said electronic elements.