Apparatus and Method for Easy Diagnosis, Repair, and Maintenance of a Commercial Display Screen

• US 20130134987A1
• Filed: 11/30/2011
• Published: 05/30/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GPO US, Inc.
• Original Assignee: GPO US, Inc.
• Inventors: Park, Jong Hyuk
• Granted Patent: US 9,805,689 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/556
• 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: G09G 2330/12 Test circuits or failure detection circuits included in a display system, as permanent part thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/006 Details of the interface to the display terminal specific for a display terminal using a CRT G09G1/167; using a flat panel G09G3/2096; circuits for interfacing with colour displays G09G5/04
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49004 including measuring or testing of device or component part

Abstract

One or more apparatuses and methods for enabling easy diagnosis, repair, and maintenance of a commercial display screen are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, this apparatus includes a removable commercial display kit box, a corresponding base plate interface unit attached to a rear panel of the commercial display screen, and a guiding mechanism for docking the removable commercial display kit box and the corresponding base plate interface unit. Furthermore, in one embodiment of the invention, the removable display kit box contains an analog-to-digital converter board, a power board, automatic-switching dual data ports, maintenance check visual indicators, and a removable fuse inlet. In case of a commercial display screen malfunction, the removable display kit box allows a quick inspection and a modular repair or replacement of a malfunctioning part, without requiring the entire commercial display screen to be dismounted from a wall or another attached structure.

Claims

1. An apparatus for easy diagnosis, repair, and maintenance of a commercial display screen, the apparatus comprising:

a removable commercial display kit box with electrical contact pin-outs configured to be docked into a corresponding base plate interface, wherein the removable commercial display kit box contains at least some electrical components prone to malfunction, wear-outs, and/or breakdowns;

the corresponding base plate interface operatively connected to power inverters and low-voltage differential signaling (LVDS) system in the commercial display screen, wherein a docking between the corresponding base plate interface and the electrical contact pint-outs from the removable commercial display kit box provides docked electrical connections among the power inverters, the LVDS system, and some electrical components inside the removable commercial display kit box; and

one or more locking safety pins configured to provide a securely attached position between the removable commercial display kit box and the corresponding base plate interface.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising maintenance check visual indicators on a surface of the removable commercial display kit box, wherein each visual indicator shows a particular functional or operational status associated with the commercial display screen.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the maintenance check visual indicators comprise a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LED'"'"'s) capable of blinking or changing colors.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a precision tracking system which includes a first guide rail and a second guide rail attached to a base plate on a rear panel of the commercial display screen, wherein the first guide rail and the second guide rail are configured to guide side edges of the removable commercial display kit box to align and dock correctly with the corresponding base plate interface.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising automatic-switching dual multimedia data input ports on a surface of the removable commercial display kit box, one or more sync detectors, a multimedia data port switch, and a microcontroller unit (MCU), wherein the MCU is located outside of the removable commercial display kit box.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a removable fuse inlet on a surface of the removable commercial display kit box, wherein the removable fuse inlet contains a replaceable electrical fuse which is replaceable externally, without opening the removable commercial display kit box.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a first wall mount frame and a second wall mount frame, both of which are operatively attached to a base plate on a rear panel.

8. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the plurality of light-emitting diodes (LED'"'"'s) include a first LED for indicating a system monitoring activity status, a second LED for indicating a backlight lamp activity status, a third LED for current temperature of the commercial display screen, one or more LED'"'"'s for power output levels within the commercial display screen, and one or more LED'"'"'s for current connectivity and functional statuses of multimedia data input ports.

9. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the multimedia data input ports are Digital Video Interface (DVI) input ports, and the multimedia data port switch is a DVI switch.

10. A method of using an apparatus for easy diagnosis, repair, and maintenance of a commercial display screen, the method comprising the steps of:

inspecting maintenance visual check indicators from an existing mounted position of the commercial display screen; and

if the maintenance visual check indicators suggest a hands-on repair or a hands-on inspection of a removable commercial display kit box attached to the commercial display screen;

unlocking and/or unscrewing locking safety pins which securely hold the removable commercial display kit box;

making necessary inspection, replacement, and/or repair associated with the removable commercial display kit box; and

sliding-in the inspected and/or repaired removable commercial display kit box, or alternatively, sliding-in a new removable commercial display kit box;

else if the maintenance visual check indicators do not suggest that the hands-on repair or the hands-on inspection of the removable commercial display kit box resolves a malfunction of the commercial display screen;

resetting the commercial display screen, dismounting the commercial display screen for repair outside of contents of the removable display kit box, or taking another repair measure.