Patent Application
20100013362
The present application relates to systems and apparatus for arranging cords in an image display device.
Image display devices may be used in a variety of environments. For example, information image display devices, including, but not limited to televisions, monitors, and projectors may be adapted to display images, including text, graphics, video images, still images, presentations, etc. Such image devices may be found in home environments and applications, education environment and applications, business facilities, conference rooms and other meeting facilities, etc. The following is a non-exhaustive list of exemplary image devices: cathode ray tubes (CRTs), projectors, flat panel liquid crystal displays (LCDs) systems, light emitting diode (LED) systems, plasma systems, front projection systems, rear projection systems, LCD monitors, etc. Large format display devices may include but are not limited to televisions, front-projection systems, and rear-projections systems.
The images or content displayed on the image display devices may be provided by a plurality of different content sources. For example, content may be provided by content sources or remote computing devices, including, but not limited to, computers, laptop computers, personal computers, storage mediums, such as memory cards and other memory devices, cameras, telephones, smartphones, portable data assistants, etc. Image data from the content source may be transmitted to the display device directly or through a network. The content source may be connected, e.g. wired or wirelessly, to the image device for display of the content.
Typically, image display devices include a number of cords extending out of the housing of the device. Exemplary cords may include, power input, audio input, video input, etc. Proper coupling of the cords to various devices and outlets may be needed for the image display device to properly function.
When setting up an image display device it may be difficult to organize the cords in a comprehensible fashion. Unorganized cords may lead to incorrect cord attachment, wasting valuable time and increasing the frustration of the user of the image display device.
The inventors herein have recognized that cords extending out of the projection device may need to be organized in a logical manner, allowing an operator of the image display device to quickly and correctly set up the image display device.
An image display device is provided with a cord organizing apparatus. The image display device includes a housing enclosing electronic componentry, a plurality of analog, digital, or power cords coupled to and extending from the electronic componentry, and a cord organizing apparatus coupled to the housing. The cord organizing apparatus includes a plurality of teeth and at least a first tooth opening and a second tooth opening sized to removably retain the cords.
Image display device 10 may include housing 12 enclosing various components, such as electronic componentry 14, light assembly 16, and image generation device 18 configured to generate an image for display or projection. Light assembly 16 may include one or more light sources, such as LEDs, linked to image generation device 18. Light may be directed from the light assembly through the image generation device, and then through at least a projection lens assembly 20 to a display surface, such as a screen. Projection lens assembly 20 may include at least one projection lens. In this embodiment, the projection lens assembly is not enclosed in the housing. However, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments the projection lens assembly may be fully or partially enclosed within the housing. Further in other embodiments, other suitable components may be utilized to generate an image in the image display device.
Electronic componentry 14 may be coupled to a plurality of cords 22. However, in other examples the electronic componentry may be coupled to a single cord. The cords may be analog, digital, and/or power cords, such as an audio, video or power connections (e.g. inputs or outputs), allowing the image display device to connected to external devices, such as a computer, an additional image display device, a power source (e.g. wall outlet), etc. It will be appreciated that an analog, digital, or power cord may include a flexible housing surrounding one or more wires.
The analog cords may include at least one analog connector (e.g. plug and/or socket), such as a phono connector (e.g. RCA connector), an ⅛th inch tip, ring, sleeve (TSR) connector, a ¼ inch TSR connectors, etc., in some examples. The digital cords may include at least one digital connector, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector, a serial or parallel port connector, etc., in some examples. Additionally, the power cords may include at least one connector, such as a two or three prong 110 volt alternating current (A/C) plug or socket, in some examples.
The cords may be coupled to the electronic componentry via an electronic interface 24, in some embodiments. Electronic interface 24 may include a plurality of connectors 26. In this way, cords 22 may be removed from the image display device, preventing the cords from becoming an impediment during transportation or adjustment of the image display device. The connectors may be analog connectors, digital connectors, and/or power connectors. Exemplary connectors are described above. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments the cords may be directly coupled to the electronic components. The cords may be removably retained via a cord organizing apparatus 28, discussed in greater deal herein with regard to
Further, protrusions 204 may be included in the housing. As shown, protrusions 204, such as cylindrical protrusions, may support the device when it is positioned on a surface, such as a table. The protrusions may increase the stability of the image display device as well as prevent the cords from becoming wedged underneath the device. Alternatively, the image display device may be semi-permanently mounted on a ceiling, wall, etc., via a mounting plate and/or hardware. Therefore, when the image display device is mounted on a ceiling, wall, etc., the protrusions or other devices may act as spacers. It may be particularly difficult to arrange the cords and attach the cords to an external device while mounting the image display device on the ceiling. The cord organizing apparatus allows a user to removably attach the cords to the cord organizing apparatus in a desired arrangement, allowing the cords to be easily coupled to an external device, thereby decreasing the difficulty of mounting the image display device. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the venting panel and/or protrusions may not be included in image display device 10.
The cord organizing apparatus is shown coupled to housing 12. In some embodiments, the cord organizing apparatus may be coupled to the housing via suitable attachments mechanisms such as bolts, screws, clasps, snaps, etc. In this way, the cord organizing apparatus may be secured to the housing. Further, as depicted in
It can be appreciated that the cord organizing apparatus may be positioned such that the cords are substantially fixed as they exit the image display device, preventing unwanted bending, twisting, removal, release, knotting, etc. of the cords. Further, the cord organizing apparatus may cover an opening which may be of sufficient size to retain extra cord length or to reduce the unused cord length extending out from the device. The opening may be of sufficient size to enable access to the connectors and to enable the cords to be easily coupled to the connectors. Depending on the depth of the opening the opening in combination with the cord organizing apparatus may secure the cords and prevent accidental release of the cords from the connectors.
As depicted in
Cord organizing apparatus 28 may be configured to removably retain the cords 22 extending from image display device 10. The cords may be secured and unsecured via a user, allowing the user to organize the cords. Thus, cords 22 may be removably retained by the cord organizing apparatus 28. The user may thus customize the cord arrangement and exit pattern of the cords.
An adjoining surface 314 may connect the first surface 306 to the second surface 308. The adjoining surface may be curved in a concave manner, thereby increasing contacted surface area between a cylindrical cable and the teeth.
A first protrusion 316 may extend from the first surface toward the second surface. Likewise, a second protrusion 317 may extend from the second surface toward the first surface. Protrusions 316 and 317 may be curved to prevent the cords from being damaged. Additionally, the protrusion may be sized such that the cord may compress when the cord is shifted into place by the user. In this way, the cords may be secured in a receiving region 318 of the tooth opening, preventing unwanted movement of the cord. Moreover, the protrusion may be sized to prevent damage to the internal wires included in the cord.
In some examples, the width 320 of the adjoining surface 314 may be less than or equal to the horizontal distance between the first surface 306 and the second surface 308, allowing the cord to be easily placed within a tooth opening. However, in other examples, the width of the adjoining surface may be greater than the horizontal distance between the first and second surfaces.
A second exemplary embodiment of image display device 10 and associated cord organizing apparatus 28 is shown in
It will be appreciated that the size, geometry, and or characteristics of one or more teeth openings may be adjusted in other embodiments. For example, as depicted in
Furthermore, sections 608 of the cord organizing apparatus, which may be adjacent to the tooth openings, may be different in appearance allowing the operator of the projection device to discern the proper cord placement in the cord organizing apparatus, allowing a user to quickly and intuitively set up the image display device. For example, section 608 may have a different size, color, texture, geometry, and/or indicia. Thus, in some example, the tooth openings and/or teeth may be sized to receive a specific type of cord. In other systems, the tooth opening and/or teeth may be textured or have a specific geometry to retain a specific type of cord or bundle of cords. In other examples, indicia, colors, etc. may assist in user in identifying positions for arranging the cords for easy mounting or use. It will be appreciated that numerous configurations of the cord organizing apparatus are possible and the embodiment depicted in
The image display device and cord organizing apparatus described above allows a user to removably attach and detach a plurality of cords as well as enable arrangement of the cords for easy use and/or mounting. For example, during or prior to set up of an image display device, the user may select to arrange the cords to enable the cords to exit the image display device toward another external device, such as a computer, additional image display devices, power sources (e.g. wall outlet), etc., or to any other selected position or device. Specific cords may be bundled or grouped together to enable ease of mounting. For example, when mounting the image display device on a ceiling mount, the ease of pre-positioning and arranging the cords such that the cords exit the image display device in a structured and ordered manner may reduce user frustration and enable easy installation. The ability for a user to customize the cord arrangement through use of the cord organizing apparatus prevents the cords from having to cross over the device or wrap around the device in a jumbled or disorderly fashion. As such the cord organizing apparatus enables a user to quickly and efficiently set up an image display device without unwanted bending, twisting, removal, release, knotting, etc. of the cords extending from the image display device.
Although the present disclosure includes specific embodiments, specific embodiments are not to be considered in a limiting sense, because numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the present disclosure includes all novel and nonobvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions, and/or properties disclosed herein. The following claims particularly point out certain combinations and subcombinations regarded as novel and nonobvious. These claims may refer to “an” element or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof. Such claims should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring, nor excluding two or more such elements. Other combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements, and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of the present claims or through presentation of new claims in this or a related application. Such claims, whether broader, narrower, equal, or different in scope to the original claims, also are regarded as included within the subject matter of the present disclosure.
This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/082,077, entitled “CORD ORGANIZING APPARATUS FOR A PROJECTION DEVICE,” filed Jul. 18, 2008, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety and for all purposes.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61082077 | Jul 2008 | US |
