Patent Application
20090262264
The present invention relates to a display device and particularly to a detachable display device providing optional independent display.
These days computer systems are widely used in people's life such as personal computers. A personal computer generally has a data processing unit to perform processing and store information, an input device to allow users to enter commands into the data processing unit and an output device to present information in the data processing unit. Display screen is one of the commonly used output devices.
A conventional display screen is linked to the data processing unit through a connection line via a Digital Visual Interface (DVI) or Video Graphic Array (VGA) to receive image information from the data processing unit. Such a linking approach is constrained by the physical length of the connection line. Hence the display screen has to be installed close to the data processing unit. As the traditional CRT display (Cathode Ray Tube display) for analog transmission is gradually replaced by TFT-LCD (Thin-Film Transistor Liquid-Crystal Display), the display screen is lighter and more compact. As a result, requirement for adding a display screen on portable electronic products increases significantly. Although the TFT-LCD is lighter and more compact, and is easier to carry and move, it is still restricted by the connection line for transmission. Hence its installing location related to the data processing unit cannot be altered as desired. To overcome this constraint, novel communication protocols adopted wireless technology such as infrared rays or Bluetooth have been developed. Reference can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,183,999, 6,784,855, 6,512,670, 6,028,764 and Publication No. 20050289631. They all adopt a wireless transmission means to allow the display screen to receive image information from the data processing unit. Therefore users can move the display screen as desired within the wireless transmission range. And application capability can be greatly enhanced. However, on either wired or wireless transmission, the display screen has to get the image information from the data processing unit. In the event that the distance is beyond the wireless transmission range, or the data processing unit is shutdown, the display screen cannot display any image information. Hence the display screen is merely an ancillary device and can provide only limited applications.
The primary object of the present invention is to provide a display screen capable of presenting image information whether it is linked to a data processing unit or in an independent state, therefore can expand the application thereof. To achieve the foregoing object, the invention provides a detachable display screen to offer optional independent display. It includes a chassis and a display screen located on the chassis. The chassis has an image processing device to provide a first image information to the display screen and an image receiving device. The image receiving device is connected to an image output device of an external processor through a signal linking means. The display screen can function in a linking state by connecting to the external processor to display second image information stored and output from the external processor and a separating state to display independently the first image information.
In an embodiment of the invention the chassis further includes a first detection device to detect the linking condition of the image receiving device and the external processor.
In another embodiment the external processor has a holding zone for installation of the chassis. And the chassis has a second detection device to detect installing condition of the chassis on the holding zone.
The display device according to the invention can be in the linking state to display the second image information stored in the external processor or in the separating state to display independently the first image information depending on whether it is linked to the external processor or the chassis is installed on the holding zone. When the display device does not receive the second image information from the external processor it can independently display the first image information. Thus it can overcome the constraint occurred to the conventional display device that has to be linked to the external processor to display image information. As a result, the display device of the invention can provide more comprehensive applications.
The foregoing, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.
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As a conclusion, the display screen 20 of the display device providing optional independent display of the invention can be linked to the external processor 30 in the linking state to display the second image information A, and also can be in the separating state with the first image processing device 11 located on the chassis 10 to generate independently the first image information B. Thus it does not rely on the image signals transmitted from a computer system to display images as the conventional display device does. When the invention is in the separating state, such as in the applications of an electronic photo frame or portable image player, it can independently process and display the first image information B. Hence the applicability of the display device is greatly enhanced. As a result, the display device is no longer an ancillary output device of the traditional computer system, but can independently perform image processing and displaying functions. It provides a significant improvement over the conventional display device.
While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been set forth for the purpose of disclosure, modifications of the disclosed embodiments of the invention as well as other embodiments thereof may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to cover all embodiments which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.
