High resolution digital display system with recording capability

• US 7,064,672 B2
• Filed: 11/10/2003
• Issued: 06/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ActiveLight Incorporated (Electrograph Investment Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: David L. Gothard
• Inventors: Gothard, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Lieu, Julie Bichngoc
• Application Number:
  US10/705,113
• Publication Number:
  US 20040095339A1
• Time in Patent Office: 953 Days
• Field of Search: 340/815.4, 340/815.47, 340/815.49, 340/693.5, 340/693.9, 361/683, 312/223.2
• US Class Current: 340/815.4
• 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 improved servicing ability and internal recording capability for playing and recording digital signal broadcasts, said display system comprising:

a) an outer housing;

b) a high resolution relatively flat panel display screen in said housing for presenting a visual image thereon;

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

d) a substantial portion of the computer means and electronic circuitry necessary for operation of said display screen and for controlling operation of same fully located in said drawer, said 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 for allowing servicing of said computer means and the circuitry associated therewith without the necessity of moving the entire display system;

e) signal receiving means associated with said housing being operatively connected to said computer means and circuitry for receiving an electronic signal from a remote source to enable generation of a display on said display scrren; and

f) said drawer being configured so that when fully inserted into said housing circuitry connection can be established between said display panel and said computer means and the electrical circuitry associated therewith.

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

a) a hard drive and a located in said housing and being operatively connectable to said computer means or electronic circuitry when said drawer is inserted into said housing.

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

a) a tuner circuit operatively connected to said computer means 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:

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

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

a) 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:

a) said high resolution flat panel display screen is a plasma operated display panel.

15. The digital display system of claim 1 wherein the electronic signal is a broadcast signal, a satellite signal, a cable signal, a video signal.

16. The digital display system of claim 1 wherein the electronic signal received is an analog signal and the system is able to convert the analog signal to a digital format prior to recording.

19. The digital display system of claim 2 further characterized in that:

a) 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 can be connected to the display screen when said drawer is fully inserted into said housing.

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

a) an outer housing;

b) a high resolution relatively flat panel display screen on said housing and capable of generating images observable to a viewer;

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

d) computer means and electronic circuitry and components in connection therewith operatively connected to said display panel for controlling operation of same, a substantial portion of said computer means and electronic circuitry being mounted on said shiftable drawer, such that said drawer can be opened and electronically disconnected from and removed from said housing with only a relatively small number of electronic compontents remaining in said housing thereby allowing for servicing of said computer means and the electronic 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) 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 can be 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) 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:

a) 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 7 further characterized in that:

a) a first power supply is provided for connection to said display screen and a second power supply is provided for connection to said computer means, said power supplies being operatively mounted within said housing.

12. The digital display system of claim 7 further characterized in that the electronic components mounted on said drawer comprise a computer control board, a motherboard, 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 drawer and is operable with a CD-ROM mounted on said drawer.

17. The digital display system of claim 7 wherein the removable drawer is secured to and forms a part of the outer housing when inserted back into said housing.

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

a) 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.

14. A method of servicing a digital display system comprising an outer housing, a display panel on said housing and capable of generating images which are observable to a viewer, and a removable drawer containing electronic components and circuitry for operating the display panel, thereby eliminating the need for transporting the entire system to a service location for servicing, said method comprising:

a) removing the drawer from the housing and disconnecting the electronic components in the drawer from the display panel;

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

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

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

a) an outer housing;

b) a high resolution relatively flat panel display screen;

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

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

e) computer means and electronic circuitry in connection therewith in close proximity to and being operatively connected to said display panel for controlling operation of same, a substantial portion of said computer means and electronic circuitry being mounted on said shiftable drawer, such that said drawer can be opened and electronically disconnected from and removed from said housing with a relatively small number of electronic components remaining in said housing thereby allowing for servicing of said computer means and the electronic circuitry associated therewith without the necessity of moving the entire display system; and

f) said drawer being configured so that when fully inserted into said housing circuitry connection can be automatically established between said display panel and said computer means and the electronic circuitry associated therewith without need for manual intervention.

20. The digital display system of claim 18 further characterized in that:

a) 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.

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

a) an outer housing;

b) a high resolution relatively flat panel display screen;

c) an electronic circuitry containing partial enclosure and having the electronic circuitry and components necessary for operation of said display screen;

d) computer means and electronic circuitry in connection therewith, being connectable to said display panel for controlling operation of same;

e) said computer means and electronic circuitry and components being located on said partial enclosure, said partial enclosure being normally disposed in close proximity to said housing and having the circuitry and components and computer means in electronic connection to said display panel, and also being disconnectable from and removable from the close proximity; and

f) said partial enclosure being electrically disconnectable from and removed from the position of close proximity to said housing with only a relatively small number of electronic components remaining in said housing, thereby allowing for servicing of said computer means and the electronic circuitry associated therewith without the necessity of moving the entire display system.

23. The digital display system of claim 22 further characterized in that said high resolution flat panel display screen is a plasma operated display panel.

24. The digital display system of claim 22 further characterized in that:

a) a connecting means is mounted within said housing and a corresponding 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 can be connected to the display screen when said drawer is fully inserted into said housing.

25. The digital display system of claim 22 further characterized in that:

a) 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.