WO2021148999A1

WO2021148999A1 - Display apparatus with control device mounted in its frame

Info

Publication number: WO2021148999A1
Application number: PCT/IB2021/050495
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rhys Jan DUINDAM
Original assignee: Ctouch B.V.
Priority date: 2020-01-24
Filing date: 2021-01-22
Publication date: 2021-07-29
Also published as: NL2024754B1

Abstract

A display apparatus comprises an at least substantially rectangular screen (10) which is able and configured to display an electronically generated image and a housing (15) in which the screen is received. The housing is provided on a periphery thereof with a releasable edge device (100, 110, 120) with at least one control member (141) which is operatively coupled to the screen (10) via an electronic connection (148, 149) between the edge device (100) and the screen (10).

Description

DISPLAY APPARATUS WITH CONTROL DEVICE MOUNTED IN ITS FRAME

The present invention relates to a display apparatus comprising an at least substantially rectangular screen which is able and configured to display an electronically generated image and comprising a housing in which the screen and a control device for the screen are received. This is particularly an apparatus with a touch screen which allows a manipulation of the displayed image by manual touch or at least approach.

Such display apparatuses are applied on large scale for presentations and meetings in companies, organisations and education. This is usually a relatively flat apparatus with a rectangular LCD (liquid crystal) or OLED (organic light-emitting diode) screen, typically having a screen diagonal of between 70 and 250 centimetres, which is mounted or placed against a wall. An electronic image can be displayed hereon, which image is for instance generated and provided by a wired or wirelessly connected personal computer device. The display apparatus can here particularly also be provided with a (touch-sensitive) user interface which enables feedback to the connected computer and manipulation of the image provided thereby.

Although such a system is applied on large scale, the user experience leaves something to be desired in many cases. In particular, the user often lacks quick direct access to one or more control functions of the apparatus. Control members intended for this purpose are often hidden and accessible only by reaching across the front of the screen. This is deemed undesirable, particularly in presentations. Although a wireless controller is usually not absent in such a display apparatus, this has been found in practice not to be an ideal solution to the lack of controlling comfort. This particularly causes users to be more likely to stay at a distance from the apparatus, rather than being drawn thereto.

The present invention has for its object, among others, to provide a display apparatus with an increased convenience of use, which will also be perceived more as a collaboration platform by a group of users. In order to achieve the stated object a display apparatus of the type described in the preamble has the feature according to the invention that the housing is provided on a periphery thereof with a releasable edge device and that the edge device comprises an electronic control device with at least one electronic control member, that the control member is coupled to an electronic processing unit, and that the processing unit is operatively coupled to the control device of the screen via an electronic connection extending between the edge device and the control device of the screen.

The control device with one or more control members can be provided at an ergonomically more optimal position by the edge device, irrespective of the apparatus. Users will now be drawn toward the apparatus more to control the apparatus, allowing the apparatus to fulfil a central role as platform in and for their mutual collaboration. In a particular embodiment the apparatus has the feature here according to the invention that the processing device is able and configured to convert an electronic output signal of the at least one control member into an electronic control command for the control device corresponding to a control function intended with the control member. The processing unit here translates a generic control signal which is generated by the relevant control member into a control command which can be directly recognized by the control device and which is for this purpose taken particularly from a set of standard, or at least standardized, control commands for the control device of the apparatus.

The edge device can be placed as cover frame round the screen, and the control member coupled to the screen, in order to thus provide the display apparatus with an additional control option. A preferred embodiment of the display apparatus according to the invention has the feature here that the at least one control member is provided on a flank of the screen and, preferably, lies at least substantially flush with a visible side of the edge device. The control member is thus easily accessible to a user positioned laterally of the screen, without having to disrupt the view of the screen. The positioning of the control device flush with the frontal surface preserves a flat character of the display apparatus.

Although numerous user functions can per se be provided in the edge device, with a control member for each user function, it enhances a user experience to limit the number of functions in the edge device. A further preferred embodiment of the display apparatus therefore has the feature according to the invention that the at least one control member imposes on the apparatus a control function from a group comprising a volume control of sound reproducing means, a muting of the sound reproducing means and mode switching of the apparatus, and more particularly that the control device comprises one or more control members from a group of push buttons and slide controls, and particularly comprises a capacitive slide control. The invention is here based on the insight that it is mainly this basic control of the apparatus that is desired during a presentation, and that further control functions can per se be provided satisfactorily in the housing of the apparatus or by a wireless control device.

In a further preferred embodiment the display apparatus according to the invention is characterized in that the edge device forms a frame which extends at least substantially wholly around the screen and engages at least locally behind the housing, and particularly in that the edge device comprises a set of first strip bodies which connect to respectively an upper side and a lower side of the housing and a set of second strip bodies which connect to opposite flanks of the housing, that adjacent strip bodies are mutually connected around corners of the screen, and wherein one of the strip bodies comprises the control device with the at least one control member, particularly one of the first strip bodies. The edge device thus extends all around the screen, particularly over the housing thereof, and the apparatus can be controlled in one of the strip bodies by means of the at least one control member forming part thereof.

By engaging behind the housing the frame is connected firmly to the housing of the screen and forms one whole with the apparatus. A further particular embodiment of the display apparatus according to the invention has the feature here that the adjacent strip bodies are mutually connected via corner bodies and that the corner bodies comprise connecting means for connection of the edge device to the housing of the screen, and more particularly that the connecting means comprise a hook member which protrudes from a corner body and engages behind the housing. At least the corner bodies thus provide for a mutual mechanical coupling of the edge device to the housing. A further preferred embodiment of the display apparatus has the feature in this respect that the hook member is flexible and engages behind the housing under tension. The tension in the engagement of the hook member ensures that the edge device will be fixed on the housing tightly and without clearance, despite possible tolerances in a dimensioning of the housing and/or the corner body.

With a view to an ergonomic finish of the whole a further particular embodiment of the display apparatus has the feature according to the invention that each of the strip bodies comprises an elongate and stiff base profile, and that each of the base profiles comprises a first receiving cavity which extends axially therein for receiving in connecting manner a connecting part receivable therein of a shared peripheral edge body which extends at least substantially all around the screen, wherein the base profile preferably comprises an extrusion profile, particularly from a metal, more particularly from aluminium. The base profiles provided here for stiffness and stability in the whole, and can be formed from extrusion parts in particularly economic manner. The edge body provides an decorative frame which conceals the material and the construction of the base profiles at least partially from view.

An ergonomic preferred embodiment of the display apparatus has the feature here according to the invention that the edge body is formed by a monolithic and flexible body, particularly by a polymer body of optionally natural rubber. Such a flexible and thereby soft-touch border of the edge device in particular provides, in addition to an decorative frame, a contact surface which is perceived by a user as being particularly pleasant. A particularly firm anchoring of the edge body in the base profile can be obtained with a further particular embodiment of the display apparatus, characterized in that the base profile comprises opposite longitudinal sides and is provided in each of the opposite longitudinal sides with a first receiving cavity, that the edge body comprises an elongate edge profile with downward directed cheeks on opposite longitudinal sides thereof, and that each of the cheeks of the edge profile comprises a connecting part which can be received fittingly in the first receiving cavity of an adjacent longitudinal side of the profile.

From an aesthetic viewpoint a further preferred embodiment of the display apparatus has the feature according to the invention that each of the base profiles comprises at least a second receiving cavity which extends axially therein for receiving in connecting manner a connecting part receivable therein of an decorative frame body which extends toward the screen and provides a frontal visible side of the edge device, and more particularly that the decorative frame body comprises a stiff base element which comprises the connecting part, particularly a strip body, and that the base element is covered on the visible side with a natural material, particularly an optionally woven textile. This further edge body masks the transition between the edge device and the screen. The use of natural material on the visible side thereof moreover gives the whole a luxurious and pleasing appearance. With a view to sufficient stability and dimensional stability a further embodiment of the display apparatus has the feature here that the base element comprises a strip body of metal, particularly of aluminium.

The invention also relates to an edge device for application in or with the above described display apparatus according to the invention, and will be further elucidated hereinbelow on the basis of an exemplary embodiment and an accompanying drawing. In the drawing: Figure 1 is a frontal view of an exemplary embodiment of a display apparatus according to the invention;

Figure 1A is an enlarged detail view a part of the view of figure 1; Figure 2 is a bottom view of the apparatus of figure 1 ; Figure 2A is an enlarged detail view of a part of the view of figure 2; Figure 3 is a perspective exploded view of the apparatus of figure 1 ; Figure 3A is an enlarged detail of the exploded view of figure 3; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a base profile as applied in the apparatus of figure 1; and Figure 5 is a cross-section along the line V-V in figure 1 of the apparatus shown therein.

It is otherwise noted that the figures are purely schematic and not always drawn to (the same) scale. Some dimensions in particular may be exaggerated to greater or lesser extent for the sake of clarity. Corresponding parts are designated in the figures with the same reference numeral. Figure 1 shows a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a display apparatus according to the invention. The apparatus comprises a relatively flat screen 10 which is accommodated in a housing 15. Besides providing a casing of screen 10, the housing also provides a number of electronic and electrical connections for a power supply and signal exchange with screen 10, a part 17 of which is arranged on the underside of the housing 15 of the apparatus, see figure 2. In addition, the housing provides a number of control buttons for controlling at least a large number of functions of the apparatus. Screen 10 is for instance an LED screen or OLED screen, typically having a diagonal from 70 centimetres. The shown type has a diagonal of about 165 centimetres (65 inch). The housing moreover accommodates over a whole lying and standing side of the screen a set (not further shown) of arrays of (infrared) emitters (LED emitters) in combination with corresponding arrays of sensors on the respective opposite sides of the screen. The emitters and sensors are coupled to a control and processing unit in the apparatus which is able and configured to calculate from an interruption in the line pattern (matrix) created thereby image coordinates of the interruption and display them in the image. This provides a touch-sensitive user interface which, when the screen is touched or approached, will superimpose an (overlay) image corresponding therewith on the original image.

For the purpose of at least a basic control of the apparatus the present invention provides an edge device 100 which is arranged releasably round housing 15 or at least screen 10. The edge device is formed by a first set of strip bodies 110 which connect to respectively an upper side and a lower side of the housing in combination with a set of second strip bodies 120 which lie against the two opposite flanks of the apparatus. Successive strip bodies 110, 120 are mutually coupled in the corners by means of corner bodies 130. The construction of the strip bodies is shown in exploded view in figure 3 and shown in figure 3A in further detail relative to the second strip body 120 which is shown on the left-hand side in figure 1.

In this strip body 120 the edge device provides a number of directly and easily accessible control members 141, 142, 143 whereby the control functions of the apparatus can be controlled by a user. These are a push button 143 for mode switching (on/off) of the apparatus and a sound volume control in the form of a slide control 141. In addition, the edge device provides a push button 142 for a mute control whereby the sound can be muted and returned back to an original level. As is visible particularly in figure 3A, control members 141-143 lie substantially flush with the front piece 126 of the edge device. These control functions in particular are desirable in practice when the apparatus is used for presentation purposes. Control members 141-143 are coupled operatively to the screen via the cable connection 148 with connector 149, the latter of which is inserted into a port 16 provided for this purpose in housing 15, see figure 2A.

The construction of the edge device is shown in further detail in figure 3 and beyond. Strip bodies 110, 120 are comprised by a rigid base profile 122, see figures 3A-5, which is formed by an extrusion body of aluminium or another suitable extrusion material which is able to provide sufficient stiffness. Base profile 122 provides a set of first receiving cavities 123 for a connection to a peripheral edge body 128. This edge body 128 comprises a continuous profile which extends integrally around the apparatus, as shown in figure 3, and provides as decorative frame for an attractive edge finish. A join of the decorative edge 128 is situated only on an underside of the apparatus. For this, use is also made of an extrusion body, albeit that a pliable, flexible body of optionally natural rubber or a similar plastic is opted for in this case. With a suitable colour scheme this decorative frame 128 can give the apparatus an attractive aesthetic accent. In addition, this material increases a sensory quality and ergonomics of the apparatus in that the soft material is pleasant to the touch. Edge body 128 clamps in the first cavities 123 in base profile 122 with a set of wings or cheeks 127 on the profile 128, see figure 6.

In addition, base profile 122 comprises a second cavity 125 in which a connecting part 129 of a further edge body 124 is received and is adhered, for instance by means of a double- sided adhesive tape or glue therein. This further edge body 124 comprises a relatively stiff strip body, for instance of aluminium or a stiff plastic, as base element and is covered with a top layer 126 of optionally woven textile cloth. This cloth 126 provides a luxurious frontal cover and furthermore an attractive sensory quality, while the base element 124 provides for mechanical stability. Moreover provided thereon are control surfaces 141, 142, 143 which touch sensors 145, 146, 147 lying therebehind. These sensors comprise a capacitive slide control 145 in combination with physical pulse contacts 146, 147 for respectively sound muting and mode switching (on/off). Sensors 145-147 are arranged on a strip body (PCB) which lies in a recess in edge body 124 provided for this purpose. The stated and optionally other electronic components 145-147 are connected to the apparatus by means of the cable connection 148 with connector 149 for signal exchange and optionally their electrical power supply.

Finally, base profiles 122 comprise at their end surfaces a third axial cavity 121. Formed on the corner bodies 130 are connecting tongues 132, see figure 3A, which are received clampingly in these cavities 121, whereby successive strip bodies 110, 120 can be coupled to each other in simple manner by placing corner bodies 130 by means of these connecting tongues 132 into base profiles 122 of strip bodies 110, 120 and clamping them fixedly therein. The corner bodies furthermore comprise a cheek 135 which engages behind the housing 15 of the apparatus as a hook member. At least this cheek 135 of the corner bodies 130 is flexible and clamps behind the housing under tension. The edge device can thus be fixed on the apparatus all around screen 10 in relatively simple manner, without housing 15 having to be adapted for this purpose. In this embodiment the edge bodies 130 are for this purpose wholly manufactured from optionally natural rubber, which also provides a friction-increasing anti-slip action which counteracts a lateral displacement of the edge device over housing 15. All in all, the edge device can thereby be arranged in relatively simple manner by hooking the cheeks 135 of corner bodies 130 behind the housing and connecting connector 149 to the port 16 provided for this purpose in housing 15. The edge device is in turn also releasable by, in reverse order, releasing connector 149 and detaching corner bodies 130 from housing 15. Strips, decorative pieces or other filler parts 150 can optionally also be applied in order to make all components connect to each other in a close stacking.

Although the invention has been further elucidated above with reference to only several exemplary embodiments, it will be apparent that the invention is by no means limited thereto. On the contrary, many variations and embodiments are still possible within the scope of the invention for a person with ordinary skill in the art. In the embodiment use is thus made of an edge device on the basis of a frame which is assembled essentially of eight components, namely four strip bodies and four corner bodies. Instead, it is also possible to opt for a frame of fewer assembled components, for instance two strip bodies and two bodies which combine strip parts and corner parts. Using current manufacturing techniques, it is even possible to envisage an integral frame. The invention generally provides an edge device for a display apparatus which gives the product a significant added value with one or several control functions, particularly in respect of a user experience with the apparatus.

The applied dimensions and materials are also given only by way of example, and the invention can also be applied with other materials and apparatuses with different dimensions. Instead of metal, use can if desired particularly also be made for stiff parts of a stiff plastic, particularly composite materials, and wood, stone or ceramic can sometimes also be an option. And inversely, rigid plastic parts can be manufactured from metal, if desired. Instead of extrusion, injection moulding can also be used as manufacturing technique for one or more of the parts, and 3D printing can also be a suitable option for parts of the device.

Claims

Claims:

1. Display apparatus comprising an at least substantially rectangular screen which is able and configured to display an electronically generated image and comprising a housing in which the screen and a control device for the screen are received, characterized in that the housing is provided on a periphery thereof with a releasable edge device and that the edge device comprises an electronic control device with at least one electronic control member, that the control member is coupled to an electronic processing unit, and that the processing unit is operatively coupled to the control device of the screen via an electronic connection extending between the edge device and the control device of the screen.

2. Display apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the processing device is able and configured to convert an electronic output signal of the at least one control member into an electronic control command for the control device corresponding to a control function intended with the control member.

3. Display apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one control member is provided on a flank of the screen and, preferably, lies at least substantially flush with a visible side of the edge device.

4. Display apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one control member imposes on the apparatus a control function from a group comprising a volume control of sound reproducing means, a muting of the sound reproducing means and mode switching of the apparatus.

5. Display apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control device comprises one or more control members from a group of push buttons and slide controls, and particularly comprises a capacitive slide control.

6. Display apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the edge device forms a frame which extends at least substantially wholly around the screen and engages at least locally behind the housing.

7. Display apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the edge device comprises a set of first strip bodies which connect to respectively an upper side and a lower side of the housing and a set of second strip bodies which connect to opposite flanks of the housing, that adjacent strip bodies are mutually connected around corners of the screen, and wherein one of the strip bodies comprises the control device with the at least one control member, particularly one of the first strip bodies.

8. Display apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the adjacent strip bodies are mutually connected via corner bodies and that the corner bodies comprise connecting means for connection of the edge device to the housing of the screen.

9. Display apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the connecting means comprise a hook member which protrudes from a corner body and engages behind the housing.

10. Display apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the hook member is flexible and engages behind the housing under tension.

11. Display apparatus according to one or more of the claims 7-10, characterized in that each of the strip bodies comprises an elongate and stiff base profile, and that each of the base profiles comprises a first receiving cavity which extends axially therein for receiving in connecting manner a connecting part receivable therein of a shared peripheral edge body which extends at least substantially all around the screen.

12. Display apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that the base profile comprises an extrusion profile, particularly from a metal, more particularly from aluminium.

13. Display apparatus according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the edge body is formed by a monolithic and flexible body, particularly by a polymer body of optionally natural rubber.

14. Display apparatus according to claim 11, 12 or 13, characterized in that the base profile comprises opposite longitudinal sides and is provided in each of the opposite longitudinal sides with a first receiving cavity, that the edge body comprises an elongate edge profile with downward directed cheeks on opposite longitudinal sides thereof, and that each of the cheeks of the edge profile comprises a connecting part which can be received fittingly in the first receiving cavity of an adjacent longitudinal side of the profile.

15. Display apparatus according to one or more of the claims 11 -14, characterized in that each of the base profiles comprises a second receiving cavity which extends axially therein for receiving in connecting manner a connecting part receivable therein of an decorative frame body which extends toward the screen and provides a frontal visible side of the edge device.

16. Display apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that the decorative frame body comprises a stiff base element which comprises the connecting part, particularly a strip body, and that the base element is covered on the visible side with a natural material, particularly an optionally woven textile.

17. Display apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that the base element comprises a strip body of metal, particularly of aluminium.

18. Edge device of the type as applied in the display apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims.