GB2418270A

GB2418270A - Detachable wireless display system

Info

Publication number: GB2418270A
Application number: GB0420488A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Show-Nan Chung; Chin-Peng Tsai
Original assignee: Tatung Co Ltd
Current assignee: Tatung Co Ltd
Priority date: 2004-09-15
Filing date: 2004-09-15
Publication date: 2006-03-22
Also published as: GB0420488D0

Abstract

A detachable wireless display system includes a wireless monitor (10), a host computer and a docking station (20). The wireless monitor (10) includes a screen (12), a driver circuit (13), a CPU board (14), a first RF module (15), and a first connector (11). The host computer comprises a second RF module (30) for transmitting RF signals. The docking station (20) includes a VGA connector (22) an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) (23), a scaler (24), and a second connector (21). When the wireless monitor (10) is docked in the docking station, the docking station provides power and screen signal to the wireless monitor (10) through the first connector (11) and the second connector (21), and as the wireless monitor is detached from docking station (20), the host computer provides screen signal to the wireless monitor (10) through the first RF module (15) and the second RF module (30).

Description

241 8270

DETACHABLE WIRELESS DISPLAY SYSTEM

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the technical field of monitors and, more particularly, to a detachable wireless display system.

2. Description of Related Art

Electronic technology has known a rapid growth in these several decades. Also, a wide variety of electronic products such as computers are affordable by many people. Recently, LCD (liquid crystal display) monitors have gradually replaced CRT monitors as the dominant type of computer monitor. LCD monitor has the advantages of less space being occupied and less electromagnetic emission. FIG 1 is a block diagram of a conventional LCD monitor 100. As shown, the LCD monitor 100 comprises a VGA connector 101, an ADC (analog to digital converter) 102, a scaler 103, a driver circuit 104, and a screen 105. The VGA connector 101 is adapted to receive signals from a computer. The ADC 102 is coupled to the VGA connector 101 and is adapted to convert the analog signals sent from the VGA connector 101 into digital ones. The scaler 103 is coupled to the ADC 102 and is adapted to receive digital signals therefrom so as to scale the signal for fitting the screen 105. The driver circuit 104 is coupled to the scaler 103 and is adapted to receive the scaled signals for driving the screen 105.

However, the prior art LCD monitor 100 suffered from a disadvantage.

In detail, the LCD monitor 100 is typically disposed in the vicinity of the computer and is coupled thereto by a monitor cable and a monitor power cord. This inevitably may limit the applications of the LCD monitor 100.

For example, a user is not able to view a file shown on the LCD monitor 100 located in a living room if the computer is located in another distal room of the same house. This is not convenient. That is, the LCD monitor 100 cannot operate wirelessly. Thus, continuing improvements in the exploitation of LCD monitor (e.g., a wireless LCD monitor) are constantly being sought.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a detachable wireless display system in which the LCD monitor disconnected from a docking station still can operate wirelessly when the computer is powered on.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a detachable wireless display system, the system comprising a wireless monitor, a host computer and a docking station. The wireless monitor includes a screen, a driver circuit, a CPU board, a first RF module, and a first connector, wherein the first RF module is operative to receive and convert the RF signals into baseband signals prior to sending to the CPU board, and the driver circuit is enabled by the signals sent from the CPU board to drive the screen. The host computer comprises a second RF module for transmitting RF signals. The docking station includes a VGA connector, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), a scaler, and a second connector, wherein the second connector is operative to couple to the first connector, the VGA connector is operative to receive the analog screen signals sent from the host computer, the ADC is operative to convert the analog signals sent from the VGA connector into digital signals, and the scaler is coupled to the ADC and is operative to receive the digital screen signals for fitting the screen. When the wireless monitor is docked in the docking station, the docking station provides power and screen signal to the wireless monitor through the first connector and the second connector, and as the wireless monitor is detached from docking station, the host computer provides power and screen signal to the wireless monitor through the first RF module and the second RF module.

Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG 1 is a block diagram of a conventional LCD monitor for use with a 1 5 computer; FIG 2 is a perspective view of a detachable wireless display system in accordance with the invention; and FIG 3 is a block diagram of a detachable wireless display system in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to FIG 2, there is a perspective view of a detachable wireless display system in accordance with the invention. As shown, it comprises a wireless LCD monitor 10, a docking station 20, and a host computer 30. The docking station 20 is implemented as a connector member and comprises a second connector 21. The wireless LCD monitor l O comprises a first connector 11 adapted to couple to the second connector 21 such that both power and signals can be sent from the computer 30 to the LCD monitor 10 via the docking station 20.

With reference to FIG 3, further constituent components of invention are illustrated. In addition to the first connector 11, the wireless LCD monitor l O further comprises a screen 12, a driver circuit 13, a CPU board 14, a first RF (radio frequency) module 15, and a rechargeable battery 16.

The first RF module 15 is adapted to receive RF signals transmitted from a second RP module (not shown) in the computer 30. Further, the first RF module 15 is adapted to convert the RF signals into baseband signals prior to sending to the CPU board 14. The driver circuit 13 receives signals sent from the CPU board 14 to drive the screen 12.

The docking station 20 comprises a VGA connector 22, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 23, a scaler 24, and a second connector 21 adapted to couple to the first connector 11. The VGA connector 22 is adapted to receive signals sent from a computer as in the present embodiment or any other electronic device. The ADC 23 is coupled to the VGA connector 22 and is adapted to convert the analog signals sent from the VGA connector 22 into digital ones. The scaler 24 is coupled to the ADC 23 and is adapted to receive digital signals so as to fit the screen prior to sending the same to the screen 12 via the coupled second connector 21 and the first connector 11.

When the wireless monitor 10 is docked in the docking station 20, the docking station 20provides power and screen signal to the wireless monitor through the first connector 11 and the second connector 21, and when the wireless monitor 10 is detached from docking station 2O, the host computer provides power and screen signal to the wireless monitor through the first RF module 15 and the second RF module 31.

Either of the first RF module 15 and the second RF module is implemented as 802.1 lb, 802.1 la, 802.1 lab or bluetooth module. The first RF module 15 can be incorporated into the CPU board 14 of the wireless LCD monitor 10. Alternatively, the first RF module 15 is implemented as a PCMCIA, CF, or PCI card which is adapted to electrically couple to the CPU board 14 by inserting into a corresponding PCMCIA, CF, or PCI slot.

Still alternatively, the first RF module 15 is implemented as a daughter card which is adapted to electrically couple to the CPU board 14 by inserting into a corresponding slot.

The rechargeable battery 16 is adapted to supply power to the CPU board 14 and the first RF module 15 when the wireless LCD monitor 10 is detached from the docking station 20. As such, the wireless LCD monitor lO (i.e., the first RF module 15) is still able to continuously receive signals from the computer 30. The CPU board 14 further comprises a keyboard or a mouse function so that a keyboard or mouse can be in signal communication with the CPU board 14 by connecting the connector of a cable extended from the keyboard or mouse to a connector 17 or 18 of the wireless LCD monitor 10.

In brief, it is contemplated by the invention that a pair of first RF module and second RF module are employed to carry out signal transmission and receiving therebetween so that the wireless LCD monitor can still operate normally when it is detached from the docking station 20. For example, a user may carry the wireless LCD monitor 10 to any other room in a house or office for operation when the computer 30 is operating.

Thus, the invention is convenient in use.

Although the present invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A detachable wireless display system, comprising: a

wireless monitor including a screen, a driver circuit, a CPU board, a first RF module, and a first connector, wherein the first RF module is operative to receive and convert the RF signals into baseband signals prior to sending to the CPU board, and the driver circuit is enabled by the signals sent from the CPU board to drive the screen; a host computer with a second RF module for transmitting RF signals; and a docking station including a VGA connector, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), a scaler, and a second connector, wherein the second connector is operative to couple to the first connector, the VGA connector is operative to receive the analog screen signals sent from the host computer, the ADC is operative to convert the analog signals sent from the VGA connector into digital signals, and the scaler is coupled to the ADC and is operative to receive the digital screen signals for fitting the screen; wherein when the wireless monitor is docked in the docking station, the docking station provides power and screen signal to the wireless monitor through the first connector and the second connector, and when the wireless monitor is detached from docking station, the host computer provides power and screen signal to the wireless monitor through the first RF module and the second RF module.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein either of the first RF module and the second RF module is a 802.11b, 802.22a, 802. flab or bluetooth module.
3. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first RF module is incorporated in the CPU board.
4. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first RF module is a PCMCIA, CF, or PCI card which is operative to electrically couple to the CPU board by inserting into a corresponding PCMCIA, CF, or PCI slot.
5. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first RF module is a daughter card which is operative to electrically couple to the CPU board by inserting into a corresponding slot.
6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wireless monitor further comprises a rechargeable battery for supplying power to the CPU board and the first RF module when the wireless monitor is detached from the docking station such that the wireless monitor is operative to continuously receive the RF signals from the computer.
7. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the screen of the wireless monitor is an LCD panel.
8. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the CPU board is operative to couple to at least one of a plurality of input devices including a keyboard and a mouse so as to be in signal communication therewith.
9. A detachable wireless display system substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 2 or Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.