High resolution digital display system with recording capability

• US 20040095339A1
• Filed: 11/10/2003
• Published: 05/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ActiveLight Incorporated (Electrograph Investment Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: David L. Gothard
• Inventors: Gothard, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,064,672 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/204
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/16 Constructional details or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1601 Constructional details related to the housing of computer displays, e.g. of CRT monitors, of flat displays constructional details related to flat displays integrated in a portable computer, e.g. laptop, handheld computer G06F1/1637; constructional details related to television receivers H04N5/64
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1605 Multimedia displays, e.g. with integrated or attached speakers, cameras, microphones
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1631 Panel PC, e.g. single housing hosting PC and display panel
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 27/00 Combined visual and audible advertising or displaying, e.g. for public address
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2370/027 Arrangements and methods specific for the display of internet documents
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/28 using luminous gas-discharge panels, e.g. plasma panels
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/64 Constructional details of receivers, e.g. cabinets or dust covers furniture aspects of television cabinets A47B81/06

Abstract

A high resolution and high definition digital display system which is computer operated and includes a high resolution display panel in the form of a television system. A computer in the housing controls the generation of a display on the display screen with X-Y coordinate signals. The display system has digital recording capability such that a signal from a remote source can be received and recorded in digital format. The display system is also constructed so that a removable drawer containing the electronic components can be removed for servicing without the need for transport of the entire display system.

Claims

1. A digital display system with internal recording capability for playing and recording digital signal broadcasts, said display system comprising:

a) an outer housing;

b) a high resolution wide viewing angle display screen in said housing for presenting a visual image thereon;

c) computer means in said housing operatively connected to said display screen for controlling operation of same;

d) signal receiving means associated with said housing being operatively connected to said computer means for receiving a video signal form a remote service; and

e) recording means for recording a digital signal representative of the video signal from the remote service for simultaneous or later display thereof.

2. The digital display system of claim 1 further characterized in that said display system further comprises:

a) a hard drive for a computer; and

b) a hard drive for a computer and a CD-ROM operatively connected to said recording means.

3. The digital display system of claim 1 further characterized in that said display system further comprises:

a tuner circuit operatively connected to said computer and having inputs for receiving a satellite signal and a cable signal.

4. The digital display system of claim 2 further characterized in that said display system further comprises:

memory means operatively connected to said computer and receiving an input from said memory means for further storing information therein.

5. The digital display system of claim 2 further characterized in that said display system further comprises:

a hard drive and a memory means separate from the hard drive and which receives external signals for recording and retention thereof.

6. The digital display system of claim 1 further characterized in that said high resolution wide viewing angle display screen is a plasma operated display panel.

7. A digital display system having improved servicing capability which enable servicing without transporting of the entire display system, said display system comprising:

a) an outer housing;

b) a drawer shiftable into and out of said housing and being removable from said housing;

c) a display panel on said housing and capable of generating images which are observable to a viewer; and

d) computer means and electronic circuitry in connection therewith mounted on said removable drawer, such that said drawer can be opened and removed from said housing allowing servicing of said computer and the circuitry associated therewith without the necessity of moving the entire display system.

8. The digital display system of claim 7 further characterized in that a connecting means is mounted within said housing and a corresponding connecting means is operatively mounted on said drawer such that the electronic components in said drawer are automatically connected to the display screen when said drawer is fully inserted into said housing.

9. The digital display system of claim 7 further characterized in that a bayonet type connecting means is mounted within said housing and a corresponding bayonet type connecting means is operatively mounted on said drawer such that the electronic components in said drawer are automatically connected to the display screen when said drawer is fully inserted into said housing.

10. The digital display system of claim 7 further characterized in that said display system further comprises:

power supply means operatively mounted within said housing and being connectable to the electronic components in said drawer when said drawer is inserted into said housing.

11. The digital display system of claim 10 further characterized in that a first power supply is provided for connection to said display screen and a second power supply is provided for connection to said computer.

12. The digital display system of claim 7 further characterized in that the electronic components mounted on said drawer comprise a main control board, a video processor and an audio control.

13. The digital display system of claim 12 further characterized in that a recording device is also operatively mounted on said tray and is operable with a CD-ROM mounted on said tray.

15. A method of operating a digital display system having a high resolution wide angle display screen with internal recording capability, said method comprising:

a) generating a visual image and displaying same on said display screen;

b) controlling the display of the image generated on said display screen under the control of a computer;

c) receiving a signal from a remote source which includes a video signal and an audio signal; and

d) recording a digital signal equivalent to the video signal and the audio signal from a remote location for either simultaneous display or later display thereof.

16. The method of claim 15 further characterized in that said method comprises:

processing a satellite signal or a cable signal and allowing for recording of said satellite signal or cable signal.

17. The method of claim 15 further characterized in that said method comprises:

storing any recorded signal in a memory means associated with said display screen and allowing regeneration of the signals in video and audio formats from those signals.

18. A method of servicing a digital display system without need for transporting the entire system to a service location, said method comprising:

a) removing a drawer containing electronic components from a housing of said display system;

b) automatically disconnecting the electronic components in the drawer from a display panel in said display system upon removal thereof;

c) allowing for servicing of the electronic components in said drawer; and

d) reinserting said drawer back into the housing and automatically electrically reconnecting the electronic components to the display panel.