Multi Display Device

• US 20060238440A1
• Filed: 06/13/2006
• Published: 10/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Si Kim
• Original Assignee: Si Kim
• Inventors: Kim, Si Han, Cha, Mi Sun, Kim, Hyung Nyun
• Granted Patent: US 7,414,594 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/1.100
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133308 Support structures for LCD panels, e.g. frames or bezels
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13336 Combining plural substrates to produce large-area displays, e.g. tiled displays
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133526 Lenses, e.g. microlenses or Fresnel lenses
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 345/903 Modular display

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a multi display device that can realize a large-sized screen by interconnecting a plurality of display elements. The multi display device comprises at least two flat display elements of which adjacent sides are closely contact each other to make a large-sized screen, housings receiving and supporting the display elements, respectively, light-compensating means for refracting display light from the display elements toward a center area of the adjacent sides thereof, thereby to minimize or remove the non-display area in the screen.

Claims

1. A multi display device comprising:

at least two flat display elements each display element having sidewalls which are arranged adjacent to each other to form an enlarged screen;

panel housings for receiving and supporting the flat display elements;

an optical compensating means for refracting light to a border between the sidewalls of the display elements, a non-display area; and

a cover in the shape of two flat parallel sides joined at one end by a perpendicular edge for covering the edges on a surface of the flat display elements such that the flat display elements are arranged co-planar and adjacent to each other at adjacent side ends when the display elements are unfolded

wherein the panel housings are connected by a folding support means so that the panel housing is foldable and unfoldable, and the optical compensating means has an inclined structure parallel to the border between the adjeacent flat display elements and the angle of the refracting light is in a range of about 5-85°

.

3. A multi display device of claim 1 wherein a space or a light guiding plate is defined or disposed between the optical compensating means and a location where the refracted light intersects the normal axis.

4. A multi display device of claim 1 wherein a diff-user is disposed on a location where the refracted light of the flat display elements intersects the normal axis.

5. A multi display device of claim 1 wherein when a distance from a point where the light is initially refracted to a second point where the light intersects the normal axis is B, B is equal to A/tanθ

, wherein A is a length from the center of a board to the non-display area of one of the flat display elements, the length A is about 0.1-3 mm and a refraction angle θ

is in a range of about 5-85°

.

6. A multi display device of claim 1 wherein the optical compensating means comprises a light transmittable/refractable member having an inclined surface at a predetermined angle with respect to a screen of the flat display elements.

8. A multi display device of claim 1 wherein the optical compensating means is symmetrically formed on the flat display elements.

9. A multi display device of claim 8 wherein the optical compensating means is designed to cover a screen of the flat display elements and the first and second adjacent sidewalls.

10. A multi display device of claim 8 further comprising a transparent protecting member for covering the screen and the adjacent sidewalls.

11. A multi display device of claim 1 wherein the panel housings are provided with openings so that the adjacent sidewalls can contact each other.

14. A multi display device of claim 1 wherein the folding support means comprises a hinge assembly installed on a rotational center of the panel housings.

15. A multi display device of claim 1 wherein the flat display elements are assembled with a driving circuit board and a back light by a chassis, wherein the chassis comprises a fixing member for preventing the panels assembly from removing and moving and a supporting member for maintaining the panel assembly at a predetermined height.

16. A multi display device of claim 1 further comprising an input means formed on the flat display elements and a keyboard.

17. A multi display device of claim 1 wherein the optical compensating means is symmetrical on a board between the adjacent sidewalls, and formed of a single film.

18. A multi display device of claim 17 wherein the optical compensating means comprises fixing members inserted into coupling grooves formed on the panel housings.

19. A multi display device of claim 18 wherein an elastic member is disposed between the fixing members and the panel housings.

20. A multi display device of claim 18 wherein the panel housings are provided with a sliding groove which the fixing members of the optical compensating member moves therewith.

21. A multi display device of claim 18 wherein the optical compensating means comprises ribs inserted into minute grooves formed on the panel housings.

22. A multi display device of claim 21 wherein the minute grooves are widened to accommodate the ribs.

23. A multi display device of claim 1 wherein the panel housings are provided with a receiving part for receiving the optical compensating means.

24. A multi display device of claim 17 further comprising a transmission means for transmitting the movement of the panel housings to the optical compensating means when the panel housings are being folded or unfolded.

25. A multi display device of claim 24 wherein movement of a hinge assembly connected to the panel housings is transmitted to the optical compensating means.

26. A multi display device of claim 25 wherein the hinge assembly is formed as a gear.

27. A multi display device of claim 1 further comprising a cover means for covering the adjacent sidewalls and the optical compensating means.

28. A multi display device of claim 16 wherein the input means is a touch panel.

2. (canceled)

7. (canceled)

12. (canceled)

13. (canceled)