Patent Application
20210157360
The present invention concerns a combination of a privacy screen filter and a screen of computer, including particularly screens on portable computers such as laptops and/or tablet pcs, on which a camera and/or a sensor is mounted in the computer screen, such as in the edge frame of the screen, wherein said privacy screen filter is arranged for mounting on said screens of computers and wherein the screen filter includes a filter element in the form of a film sheet with means to prevent others than the user to set the contents on the screen, such as a film sheet including micro-lamellae and one or more mounting means for releasable fastening of the screen filter along at least one edge of the screen, wherein the screen filter additionally includes one or more reinforcing plate-shaped elements mounted along the front side and/or the back side of the upper and lower edges of the film sheet or of the side edges of the film sheet, and preferably across the entire width and height, respectively, of the film sheet for reinforcing the film sheet.
Furthermore the invention relates to a privacy screen filter for use in such combination, wherein said privacy screen filter is arranged for mounting on said screen of computer, including particularly screens on portable computers such as laptops and/or tablet pcs, on which a camera and/or a sensor is mounted in the computer screen, such as in the edge frame of the screen, wherein said privacy screen filter is arranged for mounting on said screens of computers and wherein the screen filter includes a filter element in the form of a film sheet with means to prevent others than the user to see the contents on the screen, such as a film sheet including micro-lamellae and one or more mounting means for releasable fastening of the screen filter along at least one edge of the screen, wherein the screen filter additionally includes one or more reinforcing plate-shaped elements mounted along the front side and/or the back side of the upper and lower edges of the film sheet or of the side edges of the film sheet, and preferably across the entire width and height, respectively, of the film sheet for reinforcing the film sheet.
It is common to use computers, in particular portable computers or laptops, in many connections, and often they are used in public areas as well where it is possible for others to see the display on the screen if they are in the vicinity of the user of the portable computer.
If the user of a laptop desires to exclude others from looking at the screen, it is possible to mount a privacy screen filter. A privacy screen filter is a film or similar which is made with vertical micro-lamellae that prevent persons standing or sitting beside the laptop user from seeing the contents on the screen and reading/seeing potentially confidential data shown on the screen. The user himself has a clear screen image when the screen is viewed from a position largely perpendicular to the screen.
It is common that these screen filters are mounted on the screen by adhesive pads, Velcro® bands, where one part of the Velcro band, e.g. the hook part, is mounted on the edges of the screen and the other part, e.g. the loop part, is mounted on the edge(s) of the screen filter. Alternatively, on the edge of the screen there may be fitted glued holders behind which the screen filter can be pushed down behind for mounting on the computer screen.
These mounting systems all have the disadvantage that glued elements leave marks and glue remains on the screen edge when removed.
Moreover, these glued mounting systems for privacy screen filters are not aesthetically attractive, and they are also prone to falling off again after some time of use.
US 2007253065 discloses a privacy screen filter of the kind mentioned in the introduction. This screen filter is not suited for safeguarding against misuse of a camera and/or sensor mounted in the computer screen.
It is the object of the invention to provide a more secure privacy screen filter than those known today, and which also can prevent misuse of a camera and/or sensor mounted in the computer screen.
Furthermore, it is an object to provide an alternative way of mounting such privacy screen filters on computer screens, including in particular portable computers or laptops, ensuring effective mounting of the screen filter without application of solutions based on adhesives.
It is also an object of the invention to provide an aesthetically attractive solution for mechanically fixing a screen filter on a computer screen, in particular on portable computers such as laptops or tablet pcs.
Moreover, it is the object to provide a mechanical fixing of a screen filter on a computer screen, particularly on portable computers such as laptops or tablet pcs, where it is easy to dismount or store the screen filter when not in use.
These objects are achieved by a combination and a privacy screen filter according to the invention. The combination according to the invention is peculiar in that the reinforcing plate-shaped elements and the film sheet all along at least one edge of the film sheet include a through-going hole, and that a movable slide is mounted in connection with the hole aperture as the movable slide can close the aperture or allow the aperture to be free.
The privacy screen filter according to the invention is peculiar in that the reinforcing plate-shaped elements and the film sheet all along at least one edge of the film sheet include a through-going hole, and that a movable slide is mounted in connection with the hole aperture as the movable slide can close the aperture or allow the aperture to be free.
Some portable computers have integrated cameras and/or other sensors in the computer screen, such as in the edge frame of the computer. If they are covered by the upper reinforcing plates of the screen filter, it is not possible for the user to use them. In order to ensure that a camera and/or possible sensors are not covered by the upper reinforcing plates of the screen filter, the upper reinforcing plates and the film sheet include at least one through hole going through all two or three layers. This through-going hole is disposed in an area in which a camera and/or a sensor is mounted in the computer screen, such as in the edge frame of the screen.
A movable slide is mounted at the hole aperture as the movable slide can close the aperture or allow the aperture to be free. The slide is arranged to slide back and forth or up and down in the aperture in the through-going hole. When a slide is applied, the privacy filter will usually be made with two upper reinforcing edges.
By the slides it is achieved that the user can close the hole and thereby ensure that the camera is not inadvertently used by others to monitor the user and his/her surroundings. In addition, it is safeguarded that possible faulty use of the camera function in the portable computer will not cause recording or showing of videos or images which the user does not want to the shown or e.g. transmitted via the internet to others. This provides further privacy security for the user.
The slide is preferably loosely placed in the hole in the film sheet, having a thickness less than the thickness of the film sheet. The hole in the film sheet is therefore preferably larger than the holes in the front and rear upper reinforcing plates. The hole in the film sheet therefore also has a size and a shape allowing the slide to be slid up/down or sideways back/forth, thereby freeing a substantial part of the aperture in front of camera and/or sensors, or covering the aperture in front of camera and/or sensors.
As an alternative, the back side of the foremost upper reinforcing plate can have a depression in the area around the hole, allowing the slide to lie in the depression and be pushed back/forth or up/down for covering and opening, respectively, the aperture in front of the camera/sensors of the computer.
The slide preferably includes an control handle with a height exceeding the thickness of the foremost reinforcing plate so that the user can easily operate the slide and close or free the hole in front of the camera and/or sensors.
In a first aspect of the invention, the mounting means include one or more hook elements, where the hook elements engage the upper edge of the film sheet or the reinforcing plate-shaped elements.
The hook elements are adapted to grip over the upper horizontal edge of the screen with a hook member and are thus adapted for releasable fastening of the screen filter at an upper edge of the computer screen.
By the engagement with the upper edge, the screen filter will hang stably on the upper edge of the computer screen. When speaking of an upper horizontal edge, in the present description is meant the upper edge which in normal use of the screen will be oriented approximately horizontally.
By the invention is achieved a privacy filter that is easy to mount on the screen without use of adhesive-based mounting means as described above. In addition, an aesthetically acceptable solution is achieved as there is no need for a permanent mounting of fastening means on the computer screen. The mounting means do not disfigure the computer thereby when the screen filter is not in used because the mounting means are mechanical and an integrated part of the screen filter, not leaving any trace on the computer when the screen filter is dismounted and not in use.
When the user does not want to use the screen filter, it can simply be taken off by lifting the hook members off the edge of the computer screen, or possibly pulling the screen filter aside in order to release the grip of the hook parts around the upper edge of the computer screen. It is also possible for the user to hang the screen filter at the back side of the screen such that the screen filter is suspended along the screen housing, e.g. on a laptop, when the screen filter is not to be used. This will facilitate storage of the screen filter, at least temporarily, in close vicinity to the laptop on which the screen filter is normally applied. Of course it is also possible to take the screen filter off and put it in a storage case, e.g. in the form of a separate pocket in a case for the portable computer.
In a further aspect of the invention, the mounting means include magnets. These magnets are used for retaining the screen filter on an edge area, either at the bottom and top or at the side edges. Some computers have a metallic frame or frame part that enables fastening of a magnet to the frame or a part of the frame.
Also hereby is achieved a privacy filter that is easy to mount on the screen without use of adhesive-based mounting means as described above. By magnetic mounting means an aesthetically acceptable solution is also achieved as there is no need for a permanent mounting of fastening means on the computer screen. The mounting means thereby do not disfigure the computer when the screen filter is not in use as the mounting means are magnets and an integrated part of the screen filter, not leaving any trace when the screen filter is dismounted and not in use.
The magnets used can be moulded into the filter or embedded in other ways in the reinforcing plate-shaped elements, preferably in a way such that they do not project above the surface of the reinforcing plate-shaped elements. Magnets can be completely embedded or mounted in holes such that the surface of the magnets is flush with the surface of the reinforcing plate-shaped elements. Hereby any risk of the magnets scratching the frame of the computer is avoided.
The magnets can be provided in one of the reinforcing plate-shaped elements or go through the reinforcing plate-shaped elements and the film sheet provided there between.
The magnets can be provided in the reinforcing plate-shaped elements at an upper edge of the screen filter or at both the upper and lower edges of the screen filter.
It is not necessary either to adapt the computer screen in order to be able to mount the screen filter without use of mounting means becoming visible when the screen filter is dismounted.
The screen filter includes a filter element in the form of a film sheet with means to prevent others than the user to see the contents on the screen. These are known and typically include a film sheet, e.g. of plastic, e.g. PET, polyethylene terephthalate. The film sheet has micro-lamellae that are angled such that the screen is completely visible if the user is situated largely at right angles in front of the screen, whereas the screen appears dark or black if the screen is viewed obliquely from the side. It is noted that in addition to the film sheet, more layers may be provided, and that an outer layer can be made of other materials such as glass.
Preferably two hook elements are used, provided at the upper edge of the screen filter and spaced uniformly from each of the vertical side edges of the screen filter. Alternatively, there is a single hook element having a width corresponding to at least ⅓ of the width of the screen filter. These variants contribute to the screen filter hanging stable at the upper edge of the computer screen.
If reinforcing plate-shaped elements mounted along the side edges of the film sheet are used, the hook elements will be provided at the upper end part of the reinforcing plate-shaped element.
The width a between the gripping part of the hook member and the plane of the screen filter is adapted to the relevant screen or computer model on which the screen filter is to be fitted.
Also, the height b of the hook member can vary according to screen or computer model.
It is preferred to make the hook member with a certain resilient yieldability such that an elastic squeezing force against the screen housing is found after application.
The hook can be made with an angling between the parts of the hook such that the spacing between the gripping parts of the hook member is the largest at the mouth in order to facilitate application on the screen housing.
In an aspect of the invention, the hook element includes at least one mounting member in the form of a male part engaging a female part at the side edge of the film sheet, as the female part is designed as a cutout at the upper edge of the film sheet with a shape corresponding to the shape of the male part, and where the female part allows insertion of the male part in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the film sheet, at the same time preventing the male part from being removed from the female part in a direction in the plane of the film sheet when the one or to reinforcing plate-shaped elements are fitted along the front side and/or the back side of the upper edge of the film sheet. The risk of the hook element being released from the screen filter is hereby obviated.
In a further aspect of the invention, two reinforcing plate-shaped elements are applied which are mounted along the front side and the back side of the upper edge of the film sheet or the side edges of the film sheet such that the mounting member of the at least one hook element is clamped between the reinforcing plates. This provides a particularly good reinforcement of the filter and retention of the hook element in the screen filter.
In a further aspect of the invention, the at least one reinforcing plate-shaped element is mounted along the front side and/or the back side of the upper edge of the film sheet or the side edges of the film sheet by gluing. This a simple way of secure fastening of the reinforcing plates on the film sheet.
The hook elements are secured to the film part by engagement with the upper edge of the film sheet. The hook element includes at least one mounting part in the form of a male part engaging a female part in the film sheet. The hook elements may alternatively be fastened to a reinforcing plate.
The male part is an integrated part of the hook member and parallel or at least substantially parallel with the gripping part of the hook. The male part preferably has a design in that the outer and thereby lowermost part of the male part are provided increased width in at least one, preferably both lateral directions relative to the uppermost and narrower part of the male part. The shape of the outermost wide part of the male part is not important and can be adapted to the production. It is thus possible that the outer part is edged, e.g. square, rhombic, rectangular or alternatively round or oval.
If a single wide hook element is used, this will preferably include two or more mounting parts. These mounting parts are then preferably disposed with uniform spacing in order to ensure stability in the screen filter construction.
The female part is designed as a cutout in the upper edge of the film sheet with a shape corresponding to the shape of the male part. The female part thereby allows insertion of the male part in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the film sheet while at the same time the male part can be taken out of the female part in a direction in the plane of the film sheet, e.g. if pulling downwards in the film sheet.
The number and disposition of female parts are adapted to the number of male parts and relative to the total width of the screen filter and thereby also to the width of the relevant computer or screen model to which the filter is produced. This contributes to the screen filter hanging stable at the upper edge of the computer screen.
The reinforcing plate-shaped elements of the screen filter mounted along the front side and back side of the upper edge of the film sheet preferably have the same width as the width of the film sheet. This will contribute to protect corners and upper edge of the screen filter. When using two reinforcing plates, this will ensure clamping of the film sheet and retention of the male parts of the hook elements in the female parts in the film sheet between the reinforcing plates.
The reinforcing plates can be fastened to the film sheet and possibly to each other in commonly known ways, e.g. by gluing, click-lock elements, rivets, screws, etc.
Hook members and reinforcing plates are preferably made of plastic, e.g. ABS plastic (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer) or metal, e.g. aluminium, iron or steel. The hook members are preferably of metal as this reduces the risk of breakage of the hook members.
It is preferred that the inner side of the hook part, which is adapted to be in contact with the housing of the computer screen, includes a coating. The coating serves to reduce or eliminate the risk of the gripping part of the hook scratching the screen housing. The coating can be in the form of a layer, stripes or knobs. The coating material is typically a plastic or rubber selected such that the coating is of a softer material than the computer screen housing in order to avoid scratches on screen housing. In a specific embodiment, flannelette is used for the coating.
The back side of the upper rear reinforcing plate can be designed with a corresponding coating in order to reduce the risk of scratches appearing at the edges of the computer screen when using the screen filter.
The screen filter preferably also includes at least one and preferably two lower reinforcing plate-shaped elements which are mounted along the front side and back side of the lower edge of the film sheet, and preferably approximately over the entire width of the film sheet. The stability of the screen filter is increased hereby. Moreover, protection of the lowermost edge of the screen filters is achieved, implying longer service life of the screen filter. In addition, the lowermost reinforcing edge provides weight at the bottom of the screen filter, contributing to the screen filter lying correctly on the computer screen and such that it cannot or only to a limited degree can flutter, e.g. associated with a draft or wind.
The two lower reinforcing plates are similarly mounted as described above in connection with the upper reinforcing plates.
Alternatively, the lower reinforcing plates can be connected along the lower edge of the screen filter for forming a U-profile. This U-profile can be mounted in the same way as described above, or possibly the U-profile is squeezed around the lowermost edge of the film sheet for simple and easy fastening.
The back side of the lower rearmost reinforcing plate can be designed with a corresponding scratch-reducing coating as described above.
Adhesive pads may be provided for retaining the lowermost part of the screen filter against the edges of the computer screen. The risk of the screen filter being inadvertently swung out from the edge of the computer screen is hereby reduced. These adhesive pads can be glue pads or Velcroband®.
The screen filter according to the invention takes up sufficiently little of the total thickness in order that the user can let the screen filter be mounted on the computer screen of the portable computer and fold it around the screen filter without harming the computer or screen filter. However, it is preferred to dismount the screen filter before folding.
Some computer models, including particularly portable computers, have control buttons or rubber knobs, projections or locking mechanisms at one or more edge areas around the screen, e.g. for operating or closing the portable computer. In order to ensure operation and correct closing it is therefore preferred that the upper and/or lower reinforcing plates and/or the film sheet include(s) cutouts at the relevant areas of the screen filter, corresponding to the areas where such control buttons, locking mechanisms and/or rubber knobs are located on the edge areas of the computer screen.
The invention will now be explained below with reference to the drawing, where:
It is noted that identical elements in the drawings have identical numbers. Details of individual drawings of the invention will therefore not necessarily be mentioned in connection with all drawings.
The screen filter 1 has mounting means in the form of one or more hook elements 5 along the upper edge of the screen filter 1 for releasable fastening of the screen filter on the upper edge of the computer screen. Each hook element 5 is adapted to grip over the upper horizontal edge of the screen with a hook member 6.
The hook elements 5 engage the upper edge of the film sheet 3 as the hook element 5 includes at least one mounting part in the form of a male part 7 (see
Preferably at least two, possibly three, four or more hook elements 5 are used, located at the upper edge of the screen filter 1 with equal spacing from each of the vertical side edges of the screen filter, as shown on
The width between the gripping part 6b of the hook member and the plane of the screen filter is adapted to the relevant screen or computer model on which the screen filter 1 is to be fitted. This can be effected by making hook elements 5 with a spacer part 6a adapted in length to the computer model or screen model.
Also, the height of the gripping part 6b of the hook member can vary according to screen or computer model.
The male part 7 is an integrated part of the hook element 5 and parallel or at least substantially parallel with the gripping part 6b of the hook. The male part 7 is preferably designed by the outer and thereby lowermost part 7a of the male part having increased width in at least one, or both lateral directions relative to the uppermost and narrower part 7b of the male part 7, se particularly
If a single wide hook element is used, see
The female part in the assembly is designed as a cutout 8 in the upper edge of the film sheet 3 with a shape corresponding to the shape of the male part 7. The female part 8 allows insertion of the male part 8 in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the film sheet, simultaneously preventing that the male part 7 can be taken out of the female part in a direction in the plane of the film sheet.
The screen filter 1 additionally includes a top strip 4 formed of two reinforcing plate-shaped elements 9, 10 that are mounted along the front side and back side of the upper edge of the film strip 3 for holding the film sheet 3 and the mounting part(s) 7 of the at least one hook element between the reinforcing plates 9, 10.
The number and disposition of female parts 8 are adapted to the number of male parts 7 and dimensioned relative to the total width of the screen filter 1.
The upper reinforcing plates 9, 10 preferably have the same width as the width of the film sheet 3 and are fastened as described above.
In order to ensure that a camera and/or possible sensors are not covered by the upper reinforcing plates 9, 10 of the screen filter and the film sheet 3, the upper reinforcing plates 9, 10 and the film sheet 3 include at least one through-going hole/aperture 11 and respectively, through all three layers. This aperture 11 is disposed in an area in which a camera 18 (see
A movable slide 12, see
The slide 12 is preferably loosely placed in the hole 11b (see
As a not shown alternative variant, the back side of the foremost upper reinforcing plate can have a depression in the area around the hole 11, allowing the slide 12 to lie in the depression and be pushed back/forth or up/down.
The slide 12 preferably includes an control handle 17 with a height exceeding the thickness of the foremost reinforcing plate 9.
It is preferred that the inner side of the gripping part 6b of the hook includes a coating (not shown). The coating serves to reduce or eliminate the risk of the gripping part of the hook scratching the computer screen housing. The coating can be in the form of a layer, stripes or knobs and of a material as described above.
Additionally, the back side of the upper rear reinforcing plate 10 and lower rear reinforcing plate 16 (see below) can be designed with a corresponding coating in order to reduce the risk of scratches appearing at the edges of the computer screen when using the screen filter.
The screen filter 1 preferably also includes a bottom strip 14 formed of at least one and preferably two lower reinforcing plate-shaped elements 15, 16, which are mounted along the front side and back side of the lower edge of the film sheet 3, see
Alternatively, the lower reinforcing plates can be connected along the lower edge of the screen filter for forming a U-profile, see
In order to ensure operation and correct closing, it is therefore preferred that the upper 9, 10 and/or lower 15, 16 reinforcing plates and/or the film sheet 3 include(s) not shown cutouts at the relevant areas of the screen filter 1, corresponding to the areas where such control knobs, locking mechanisms and/or rubber knobs are located on the edge areas of the computer screen.
The magnets 19 are shown located at each end of the top strip 4 and the bottom strip 14.
However, a different number and different location of the magnets in the top and bottom strips can be applied.
The magnets may thus be disposed at the side edges of top and bottom strips as well, instead of on the side face.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PA 2017 70183 | Mar 2017 | DK | national |
| PA 2017 70276 | Apr 2017 | DK | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/DK2018/050045 | 3/14/2018 | WO | 00 |
