Hinge for auxiliary display

Abstract

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, an auxiliary display system includes a hinge coupling a mount to a display portion. The hinge includes a first flange portion configured to be coupled to the mount, a second flange portion configured to be coupled to the display portion, an inner pivot pin coupled to the flange portion, an outer pivot pin coupled to the flange portion, a first connector, and a second connector, the first connector has a first end rotatably coupled about an inner pivot pin of the first flange portion and a second end rotatably coupled about an outer pivot pin of the second flange portion, the second connector has a first end rotatably coupled about an inner pivot pin of the second flange portion and a second end rotatably coupled about an outer pivot pin of the first flange portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to electronic device display systems, and more particularly to auxiliary electronic device display systems and hinges therefor. Background Art Summary of the invention

[0002] According to one aspect, an auxiliary display system is provided, comprising: a mounting frame configured to be coupled to a computing device; a display portion including a display screen; and at least one hinge coupling the mounting frame to the display portion and enabling the display portion to rotate relative to the mounting frame about a rotation axis. At least one hinge comprises: a first flange portion, the first flange portion being configured to be mechanically coupled to a mounting bracket; a second flange portion, the second flange portion being configured to be mechanically coupled to a display portion; an internal pivot pin, the internal pivot pin being coupled to each of the corresponding first flange portion and the second flange portion at a position proximate to the other of the corresponding first flange portion and the second flange portion; an external pivot pin, the external pivot pin being coupled to each of the corresponding first flange portion and the second flange portion at a position away from the other of the corresponding first flange portion and the second flange portion; a first connector, the first connector having a first end rotatably coupled around the internal pivot pin of the first flange portion and a second end rotatably coupled around the external pivot pin of the second flange portion; and a second connector, the second connector having a first end rotatably coupled around the internal pivot pin of the second flange portion and a second end rotatably coupled around the external pivot pin of the first flange portion.

[0003] In some embodiments, each of the first flange portion and the second flange portion includes a pair of side members through which a corresponding inner pivot pin and a corresponding outer pivot pin pass.

[0004] In some embodiments, the first flange portion includes at least one flange, at least one flange extending from a side of one of the side members of the first flange portion in a direction parallel to the rotation axis, and the second flange portion includes at least one flange, at least one flange extending from a side of one of the side members of the second flange portion in a direction parallel to the rotation axis.

[0005] In some embodiments, at least one flange of the first flange portion extends from a side of one of the side members of the first flange portion at a position near the end of the first flange portion away from the second flange portion, and at least one flange of the second flange portion extends from a side of one of the side members of the second flange portion at a position near the end of the second flange portion away from the first flange portion.

[0006] In some embodiments, the inner and outer pivot pins of both the first and second flange portions pass through the respective pair of side members of the first and second flange portions in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation.

[0007] In some embodiments, the internal pivot pins of both the first and second flange portions are fixedly coupled to the respective pairs of side members of the respective first and second flange portions.

[0008] In some embodiments, the external pivot pins of both the first and second flange portions pass through slots defined in respective pairs of side members of the respective first and second flange portions.

[0009] In some embodiments, as the first flange portion rotates relative to the second flange portion, the outer pivot pins of both the first and second flange portions reciprocate through slots defined in respective pairs of side members of the respective first and second flange portions.

[0010] In some embodiments, the slot has a length that provides for rotation of the first flange portion of the hinge relative to the second flange portion of the hinge from zero degrees to 180 degrees.

[0011] In some embodiments, when the hinge is in the fully extended configuration, the outer pivot pins of both the first and second flange portions are disposed at inner ends of slots defined in the side member pairs of the respective first and second flange portions.

[0012] In some embodiments, when the hinge is in the fully folded configuration, the outer pivot pins of both the first and second flange portions are disposed at outer ends of slots defined in the side member pairs of the respective first and second flange portions.

[0013] In some embodiments, the hinge is configured to rotate between a fully open position in which the pair of side members of the first flange portion are collinear with the pair of side members of the second flange portion and a fully folded configuration in which the pair of side members of the first flange portion are parallel but not collinear with the pair of side members of the second flange portion.

[0014] In some embodiments, the side member pairs of each of the corresponding first flange portions and the second flange portions are arranged in parallel and define a space between the side member pairs of each of the corresponding first flange portions and the second flange portions, and at least a portion of each of the first connector and the second connector is disposed in the space.

[0015] In some embodiments, each of the side members of the first flange portion is co-linear with a corresponding one of the side members of the second flange portion when the hinge is in the fully extended configuration.

[0016] In some embodiments, the first flange portion of the hinge is configured to rotate from zero degrees to 180 degrees relative to the second flange portion of the hinge.

[0017] In some embodiments, the first connector and the second connector each include a plurality of elongated plates arranged in parallel.

[0018] In some embodiments, the plurality of plates of the first connector are interleaved with the plurality of plates of the second connector.

[0019] In some embodiments, each of the plurality of plates of the first connector and the plurality of plates of the second connector have the same shape and size.

[0020] In some embodiments, the system further includes a center pin passing through each of the plurality of plates of the first connector and the plurality of plates of the second connector.

[0021] In some embodiments, the center pin passes through each of the plurality of plates of the first connector and the plurality of plates of the second connector in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation.

[0022] In some embodiments, the center pin passes through each of the plurality of plates of the first connector and the plurality of plates of the second connector in a direction that is co-linear with the axis of rotation.

[0023] In some embodiments, when the hinge is in the fully extended configuration, each of the inner pivot pin and the outer pivot pin lies in a common plane that includes the axis of rotation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Various aspects of at least one example are discussed below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are not intended to be drawn to scale. The drawings are included to provide illustration and further understanding of the various aspects and examples, and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification, but are not intended as a definition of limitations of any particular example. The drawings, together with the rest of the specification, are used to explain the principles and operations of the described and claimed aspects and examples. In the drawings, each identical or nearly identical component shown in various figures is represented by the same reference numeral. For clarity, not every component may be labeled in every figure. In the drawings:

[0025] Figure 1A illustrates a front view of an auxiliary display system in an open position according to one example;

[0026] Figure 1Billustrates a rear view of an auxiliary display system in an open position according to one example;

[0027] Figure 1C illustrates a side view of an auxiliary display system in an open position according to one example;

[0028] Figure 2A illustrates an isometric view of a hinge for an auxiliary display system in an open configuration according to an example;

[0029] Figure 2B illustrates a plan view of a hinge for an auxiliary display system in an open configuration according to an example;

[0030] Figure 2C illustrates a side elevation view of a hinge for an auxiliary display system in an open configuration according to an example;

[0031] Figure 2D illustrates a front view of an end of a hinge for an auxiliary display system in an open configuration according to an example;

[0032] Figure 3A illustrates an isometric view of a hinge for an auxiliary display system in a partially open configuration according to an example;

[0033] Figure 3B illustrates a plan view of a hinge for an auxiliary display system in a partially opened configuration according to an example;

[0034] Figure 3C illustrates a side elevation view of a hinge for an auxiliary display system in a partially open configuration according to an example;

[0035] Figure 3D illustrates a front view of an end of a hinge for an auxiliary display system in a partially open configuration according to an example;

[0036] Figure 4A illustrates an isometric view of a hinge for an auxiliary display system in a closed configuration according to an example;

[0037] Figure 4B illustrates a plan view of a hinge for an auxiliary display system in a closed configuration according to an example;

[0038] Figure 4C illustrates a side elevation view of a hinge for an auxiliary display system in a closed configuration according to an example;

[0039] Figure 4D illustrates a front view of an end of a hinge for an auxiliary display system in a closed configuration according to an example;

[0040] Figure 5A illustrates a cross-sectional view of an auxiliary display system in a closed configuration according to one example;

[0041] Figure 5B illustrates an exploded view of an auxiliary display system in a closed configuration according to one example;

[0042] Figure 5C illustrates a cross-sectional view of an auxiliary display system in a partially opened configuration according to one example;

[0043] Figure 5D illustrates an exploded view of an auxiliary display system in a partially opened configuration according to one example;

[0044] Figure 5E illustrates a cross-sectional view of an auxiliary display system in a fully open configuration according to one example; and

[0045] Fig. 5F An exploded view of an auxiliary display system in a fully open configuration is illustrated according to one example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] Conventional laptop computers typically include a display screen for providing output information to a user. The size of the display screen is determined, at least in part, for the purpose of optimizing user enjoyment. For example, a user may value a laptop computer for its compactness and portability, which may require a reduction in the size of the display screen. However, the user also values ​​a display screen that is large enough for the user to comfortably view the displayed information. Thus, there is an inherent conflict in selecting a display screen size for a laptop computer having a single screen.

[0047] By adding a second auxiliary display system that is communicatively coupled to a laptop computer, design conflicts associated with the implementation of a single screen can be circumvented. For example, the second auxiliary display system can be removably physically coupled to the base plate of the main laptop screen. In use, the user can rotate or otherwise reposition the auxiliary screen from a closed state and orient the auxiliary screen in a desired orientation. For example, from the user's perspective, the auxiliary screen can be rotated from a position above the laptop screen to face the user. The user can alternately keep the auxiliary screen in a closed state so that information can be provided to another entity.

[0048] Adding a second auxiliary display system coupled to the backplane of the main laptop screen avoids many of the design trade-offs associated with increasing the size of a single screen. The screen area of ​​modern laptop display screens is typically significantly greater than the screen thickness. Thus, while increasing the area of ​​a single display screen produces a proportional increase in the amount of information transmitted by the display screen, adding a second auxiliary display system attached to the backplane of the main display screen provides approximately twice as much information at the expense of a relatively small increase in thickness. Therefore, adding a second auxiliary display system significantly increases information density (i.e., the amount of information transmitted relative to the physical footprint of the laptop computer) compared to increasing the size of a single main laptop screen.

[0049] The auxiliary display system can be oriented in different orientations, including a closed orientation, an open orientation, a standing orientation, a laptop orientation, or a cantilevered orientation. In the closed orientation, the auxiliary screen can be facing away from the user, generally anti-parallel to the main laptop screen. For example, the closed orientation may be advantageous in situations where the user does not wish to view the auxiliary screen or wishes to display information to a viewer opposite the user.

[0050] In one example of an open orientation, the secondary screen can be rotated to face the user, approximately parallel to the primary laptop screen. For example, an example of an open orientation may be advantageous where the user wishes to view the primary laptop screen and the second secondary screen simultaneously. In a standing orientation, the secondary display system may be physically separated from the laptop computer and may stand independently of the laptop computer as a bipod formed by the two parts of the second secondary display system. For example, the standing orientation may be advantageous where the user wishes to view both the primary laptop screen and the second secondary display system as physically separate devices next to each other.

[0051] In the laptop orientation, the auxiliary display system can be physically separated from the laptop computer and can stand independently of the laptop computer in a manner similar to the laptop computer. The auxiliary display system can include a mounting portion that is placed coplanar with the surface on which the auxiliary display system is placed, and a display portion that can rotate about the mounting portion to display information to the user. The mounting portion can include a keyboard and / or a pointer input device to receive user input. The laptop orientation may be advantageous in situations where the user wishes to use the auxiliary display system as a laptop computer. For example, the laptop orientation may be particularly advantageous when the auxiliary display system is coupled to a device (such as a mobile communication device) that is configured to execute an operating system for the auxiliary display system.

[0052] In the cantilever orientation, the auxiliary display system can be physically separated from the laptop computer and can stand independently of the laptop computer in a manner similar to the laptop orientation. For example, the auxiliary display system can include a mounting portion that is placed coplanar with the surface on which the auxiliary display system is placed, and a display portion that can be rotated about the mounting portion to display information to the user. However, while the rear surface of the mounting portion can face the surface on which the auxiliary display system is placed in the laptop orientation, in the cantilever orientation, the front surface of the mounting portion can face the surface on which the auxiliary display system is placed. For example, the cantilever orientation may be particularly advantageous in situations where a user does not wish to use certain user input functions (such as a keyboard and pointing device) but wishes to view information displayed by the auxiliary display system.

[0053] In various examples, the auxiliary screen system can be implemented in conjunction with an electronic device other than a laptop computer. For example, the auxiliary screen system can be implemented in conjunction with a mobile electronic device such as a smart phone, a game console, or another type of electronic device. In addition to displaying information provided by the electronic device, the auxiliary screen system can provide additional functionality when coupled to the electronic device. For example, the auxiliary screen system can include a keyboard and / or a touch-sensitive pad or screen and perform functions similar to those of a laptop computer.

[0054] Figure 1A A front view of the auxiliary display system 100 is illustrated in an open position according to one example. Figure 1B A rear view of the auxiliary display system 100 is illustrated in an open position according to one example. Figure 1C A side view of the auxiliary display system 100 is illustrated in an open position according to one example.

[0055] The auxiliary display system 100 includes a display portion 102, a first hinge 104a and a second hinge 104b (collectively referred to as "hinge 104"), a mounting bracket 106, a coupling element 108, a front surface 110, a first input portion 112, a second input portion 114, a rear surface 116, and a wired connection port 118. The auxiliary display system 100 can be configured to be coupled to another electronic device. In some examples, the auxiliary display system 100 can be physically coupled to another electronic device via the coupling element 108, and can be communicatively coupled to the electronic device and / or electrically coupled to the electronic device via the wired connection port 118. In other examples, the auxiliary display system 100 can be communicatively coupled to and / or electrically coupled to another electronic device via the wired connection port 118, but may not be physically coupled to the electronic device except for the connection via the wired connection port 118. In yet other examples, the auxiliary display system 100 can be communicatively coupled to and / or electrically coupled to another electronic device via a wireless communication interface in addition to or in lieu of a wired connection, such as by wirelessly coupling according to a Wi-Fi wireless communication protocol, a Bluetooth wireless communication protocol, etc. As used herein, a "communication interface" may include a wired communication interface, such as a wired connection port 118, a wireless communication interface, a combination of the two, etc.

[0056] The display portion 102 is configured to display information for viewing by a user along an auxiliary display axis 120, which is perpendicular to the surface of the display portion 102 and antiparallel to the x-axis of the coordinate 122. For example, the display portion 102 may include a display screen, such as a liquid crystal display screen, configured to display information to the user. The displayed information may be provided to the auxiliary display system 100 by another electronic device communicatively coupled to the auxiliary display system 100 via a wired connection port 118. In some examples, the display portion 102 is also configured to receive input information, including, for example, touch input from a user's finger, input from a stylus operated by the user, and the like. For example, the display portion 102 may include a touch-sensitive display screen configured to receive user input from a user. In some examples, the display portion 102 may include a tablet computer.

[0057] Hinge 104 is configured to enable display portion 102 to rotate relative to mount 106. More specifically, hinge 104 can enable display portion 102 to rotate about a z-axis (also referred to herein as a "hinge axis," "axis of rotation," or "axis of rotation") indicated by coordinate 122. Rotation of display portion 102 enables a user to orient display portion 102 in a desired orientation, such as by rotating display portion 102 to face the user or to face another person.

[0058] For example, hinge 104 may enable display portion 102 to move from Figure 1C The position illustrated in FIG. 1 is rotated 180° clockwise (ie, rotated −180° with reference to a right-hand coordinate system) to a closed position. The closed position may be particularly advantageous when a user wishes to display information on the display portion to a person facing the user.

[0059] The hinge 104 can further enable the display portion 102 to be Figure 1C 102 is rotated counterclockwise about the z-axis by at least 90° (or 90° with reference to a right-hand coordinate system) from the position illustrated in FIG. 102 so that the auxiliary display axis 120 is antiparallel to the y-axis. In some examples, the display portion 102 can be rotated counterclockwise beyond the x-axis. For example, the top edge 124 of the mounting bracket 106 can be tilted relative to the x-axis at a tilt angle 126. The hinge 104 can enable the display portion 102 to be rotated counterclockwise about the z-axis beyond the x-axis by a number of degrees equal to the tilt angle 126.

[0060] exist Figure 2A In the isometric view of Figure 2B In the plan view, Figure 2C In the side elevation view and in the Figure 2D An example of a hinge 104 that can be used in various aspects and embodiments of the auxiliary display system disclosed herein is shown in a fully open (also referred to as "fully extended" or "flat") configuration in a front view of the end of FIG. Figure 3A In the isometric view of Figure 3B In the plan view, Figure 3C In the side elevation view and in the Figure 3D In the front view of the end of the hinge is shown in a partially closed 90° configuration. Figure 4A In the isometric view of Figure 4B In the plan view, Figure 4C In the side elevation view and in the Figure 4D In the end elevation view of the hinge, the hinge is shown in a fully closed 180° configuration.

[0061] The hinge 104 includes a first flange portion 104c and a second flange portion 104d. In some embodiments, the first flange portion 104c is configured to be mechanically coupled to a mounting bracket 106 of an auxiliary display system as disclosed herein, and the second flange portion 104d is configured to be mechanically coupled to a display portion 102 of an auxiliary display system as disclosed herein. In other embodiments, the first flange portion 104c is configured to be mechanically coupled to the display portion 102, and the second flange portion 104d is configured to be mechanically coupled to the mounting bracket 106. Each of the first flange portion 104c and the second flange portion 104d includes an internal pivot pin 104e that is coupled to the respective first flange portion 104c and the second flange portion 104d at a position proximate to the other of the respective first flange portion 104c and the second flange portion 104d. Each of the first and second flange portions 104c, 104d also includes an external pivot pin 104f that is coupled to the respective first and second flange portions 104c, 104d at a location distal from the other of the respective first and second flange portions 104c, 104d. The internal and external pivot pins 104e, 104f can each include a nut and washer 104e' and a shoulder screw 104e", but in other embodiments can include a nut and bolt, a cotter pin, a clip, or any other form of pin or fastener known in the art that can secure these portions of the hinge 104 together in a manner similar to the nut and washer 104e' and the shoulder screw 104e". When the hinge 104 is in a fully extended configuration, each of the internal and external pivot pins 104e, 104f can be located in a common plane that includes the axis of rotation.

[0062] The first flange portion 104c and the second flange portion 104d are coupled together by a first connector 104g and a second connector 104h, the first connector 104g having a first end rotatably coupled around an inner pivot pin 104e of the first flange portion 104c and a second end rotatably coupled around an outer pivot pin 104f of the second flange portion 104d, and the second connector 104h having a first end rotatably coupled around an inner pivot pin 104e of the second flange portion 104d and a second end rotatably coupled around an outer pivot pin 104f of the first flange portion 104c. Figure 2B .like Figure 2B , Figure 2D and Figure 3AAs further illustrated, each of the first connector 104g and the second connector 104h is formed of a plurality of elongated plates arranged in parallel, wherein the plurality of plates of the first connector 104g cross or intersect with the plurality of plates of the second connector 104h. The plates may be formed of metal (e.g., spring steel), but the embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to any particular material of construction. Figure 2B , Figure 2D and Figure 3A In the embodiment illustrated in , the plates of the first connector 104g are on the outside of the staggered first connector 104g, the second connector 104h, but in other embodiments, the plates of the second connector 104h may be the outermost plates, or the plates of the first connector 104g may be the outermost plates on one side of the staggered first connector 104g, the second connector 104h, and the plates of the second connector 104h may be the outermost plates on the other side of the staggered first connector 104g, the second connector 104h. It should be understood that the number of plates of the first connector 104g, the second connector 104h is not limited to the number shown, but the first connector 104g, the second connector 104h may include fewer or more plates than the number shown. Due to the friction between the plates of the first connector 104g and the plates of the second connector 104h, a greater number of plates may increase the stiffness of the hinge, while a smaller number of plates may reduce the stiffness of the hinge. The number of plates of the first connector 104g and the number of plates of the second connector 104h may be the same or different, and may be an odd or even number of plates. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of plates of the first connector 104g and the plurality of plates of the second connector 104h has the same shape and size. In some embodiments, the center pin 104m (see Figure 2C ) passes through each of the plurality of plates of the first connector 104g and each of the plurality of plates of the second connector 104h. The center pin 104m may pass through each of the plurality of plates of the first connector 104g and each of the plurality of plates of the second connector 104h in a direction parallel or co-linear with the rotation axis of the hinge 104. The center pin 104m may define the rotation axis of the hinge 104.

[0063] Each of the first flange portion 104c and the second flange portion 104d includes a pair of side members 104i through which a corresponding inner pivot pin 104e and a corresponding outer pivot pin 104f pass. The hinge 104 is configured to rotate between a fully open position and a fully folded configuration. In the fully open position, the pair of side members 104i of the first flange portion 104c is collinear with the pair of side members 104i of the second flange portion 104d (see FIG. Figure 2C), in the fully folded configuration, the side member pair 104i of the first flange portion 104c is parallel but not co-linear with the side member pair 104i of the second flange portion 104d (see Figure 4C ). The pair of side members 104i of each of the corresponding first flange portion 104c and second flange portion 104d are arranged in parallel and define a space therebetween, and at least a portion of each of the first connector 104g and the second connector 104h is arranged in the space.

[0064] The inner pivot pin 104e and the outer pivot pin 104f of both the first flange portion 104c and the second flange portion 104d pass through the corresponding side member pair 104i of the first flange portion 104c and the second flange portion 104d in a direction parallel to the rotation axis. The inner pivot pin 104e of both the first flange portion 104c and the second flange portion 104d is fixedly coupled to the corresponding side member pair 104i of the corresponding first flange portion 104c and the second flange portion 104d.

[0065] Each side member 104i of the first flange portion and the second flange portion includes a slot 104l defined therein, through which the external pivot pin 104f passes. The slot 104l can be linear and can be arranged along the extension direction of the side member 104i in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis. When the hinge 104 is opened and closed, the external pivot pin 104f freely moves through the slot 104l. When the first flange portion 104c rotates relative to the second flange portion 104d, the external pivot pins 104f of both the first flange portion 104c and the second flange portion 104d reciprocate through the slots 104l, which are defined in the corresponding side member pairs 104i of the corresponding first flange portion 104c and the second flange portion 104d. The slot 1041 has a length that provides an external pivot pin 104f with a range of motion sufficient to allow the first flange portion 104c of the hinge 104 to rotate relative to the second flange portion 104d of the hinge from zero to 180 degrees. Figure 2A and Figure 2C As shown, when the hinge 104 is in the fully extended configuration, the outer pivot pins 104f of both the first flange portion 104c and the second flange portion 104d are disposed at the inner ends of the slots 104l defined in the respective side member pairs 104i of the respective first flange portion 104c and the second flange portion 104d. Figure 4A and Figure 4CAs illustrated, when the hinge 104 is in the fully folded configuration, the outer pivot pins 104f of both the first flange portion 104c and the second flange portion 104d are arranged at the outer ends of the slots 104l defined in the corresponding side member pairs 104i of the corresponding first flange portion 104c and the second flange portion 104d.

[0066] In some embodiments, the two sides of each of the first and second flange portions 104c, 104d (side member 104i and flange discussed below) are held together only by the inner and outer pivot pins 104e, 104f.

[0067] The first flange portion 104c further includes at least one flange 104j extending from one side of one of the side members 104i of the first flange portion 104c in a direction parallel to the rotation axis. The at least one flange 104j of the first flange portion 104c extends from one side of one of the side members 104i of the first flange portion 104c at a position close to the end of the first flange portion 104c away from the second flange portion 104d. The second flange portion 104d further includes at least one flange 104j extending from one side of one of the side members 104i of the second flange portion 104d in a direction parallel to the rotation axis. The at least one flange 104j of the second flange portion 104d extends from one side of one of the side members 104i of the second flange portion 104d at a position close to the end of the second flange portion 104d away from the first flange portion 104c. Figures 2A-4D In the illustrated embodiment, each of the first flange portion 104c and the second flange portion 104d includes two flanges 104j, one flange extending outwardly from each of the side members 104i of the first flange portion 104c and the second flange portion 104d. The flange 104j extends partially along the side member 104i and extends to the end of the side member 104i of each of the first flange portion 104c and the second flange portion 104d that is farthest from the other of the first flange portion 104c and the second flange portion 104d. Each flange 104j may include one or more apertures 104k to provide a passage for a fastener (such as a screw, bolt, pin, clip, or other fastener known in the art) so that the flange 104j and the hinge 104 as a whole can be fastened to the mounting frame 106 and the display portion 102 of the auxiliary display system 100.

[0068] As described above, when the auxiliary display system 100 according to the present disclosure is assembled, the flange 104j of one of the first flange portion 104c and the second flange portion 104d is attached to the mounting bracket 106, and the flange 104j of the other of the first flange portion 104c and the second flange portion 104d is attached to the display portion 102 of the auxiliary display system 100, thereby coupling the mounting bracket 106 to the display portion 102 while allowing the mounting bracket 106 and the display portion 102 to rotate relative to each other. The range of rotation may be up to 180°. The flange 104j can be mechanically fixed to the mounting frame 106 and the display portion 102 within the housing of the mounting frame 106 and / or the display portion 102, or mechanically fixed to the outer surface of the housing of the mounting frame 106 and / or the display portion 102, for example, mechanically fixed within a recess defined in the housing of the mounting frame 106 and / or the display portion 102, so that the surface of the flange 104j is in the same or substantially the same plane as the surrounding portions of the housing. Figure 5A and Figure 5B In cross-sectional view ( Figure 5A ) and exploded views ( Figure 5B ) illustrates the mounting frame 106 and display portion 102 of the auxiliary display system 100 connected in a fully closed configuration via the hinge 104 disclosed herein. Figure 5C and Figure 5D In cross-sectional view ( Figure 5C ) and exploded views ( Figure 5D ) illustrates a mounting frame 106 and a display portion 102 of an auxiliary display system 100 connected by a hinge 104 disclosed herein in a configuration in which the mounting frame 106 and the display portion 102 are arranged at 90° to each other. Figure 5E and Fig. 5F In cross-sectional view ( Figure 5E ) and exploded views ( Fig. 5F ) illustrates the mounting frame 106 and display portion 102 of the auxiliary display system 100 connected in a fully open configuration via the hinge 104 disclosed herein. Figure 5A-5E As illustrated, the hinge 104 may be provided with a cover 104n.

[0069] At least one auxiliary display system has been disclosed. The auxiliary display system is capable of receiving input information from a user and providing output information to the user. The auxiliary display system increases the physical footprint of an associated device (such as a laptop computer) by a certain amount while providing significant benefits in the amount of information exchanged between the user and the combination of the associated device and the auxiliary display system. The auxiliary display system also extends the functionality of the associated device, such as by allowing the auxiliary display system to be used in a manner similar to a tablet computer, laptop computer, etc.

[0070] The word "auxiliary" is not meant to imply limitations of the auxiliary display system. The auxiliary display system can be used even when the associated device is in idle or sleep mode, so that the auxiliary display system is the only active device. For example, where the associated device is a laptop computer, the laptop computer can be turned off and put into sleep mode while the user continues to use the auxiliary display system. Furthermore, the word "display" is not meant to imply limitations. Although some examples of auxiliary display systems are capable of displaying output information, some examples of auxiliary display systems are also capable of receiving input information from a user, such as via touch input. In an alternative example, the auxiliary display system is only capable of displaying information to the user and receiving information via the associated device, but is not capable of receiving touch input from the user.

[0071] Having thus described several aspects of at least one embodiment, it will be appreciated that various changes, modifications and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such changes, modifications and improvements are intended to be part of this disclosure and are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Therefore, the foregoing description and drawings are intended only as examples, and the scope of the invention should be determined by appropriate construction of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An auxiliary display system, comprising: a mounting bracket configured to be coupled to a computing device; A display part, wherein the display part includes a display screen; as well as at least one hinge coupling the mounting frame to the display portion and enabling the display portion to rotate relative to the mounting frame about a rotation axis, the at least one hinge comprising: a first flange portion configured to be mechanically coupled to the mounting bracket; a second flange portion configured to be mechanically coupled to the display portion; an internal pivot pin coupled to each of the respective first and second flange portions at a location proximate to the other of the respective first and second flange portions; an external pivot pin coupled to each of the respective first and second flange portions at a location distal from the other of the respective first and second flange portions; a first connector having a first end rotatably coupled about an inner pivot pin of the first flange portion and a second end rotatably coupled about an outer pivot pin of the second flange portion; and A second connector has a first end rotatably coupled about an inner pivot pin of the second flange portion and a second end rotatably coupled about an outer pivot pin of the first flange portion.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the first flange portion and the second flange portion includes a pair of side members through which the respective inner pivot pin and the respective outer pivot pin pass.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein: The first flange portion includes at least one flange extending from one side of one of the side members of the first flange portion in a direction parallel to the rotation axis; and The second flange portion includes at least one flange extending from one side of one of the side members of the second flange portion in a direction parallel to the rotation axis.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein: at least one flange of the first flange portion extends from a side of the one of the side members of the first flange portion at a location proximate an end of the first flange portion distal from the second flange portion; as well as At least one flange of the second flange portion extends from one side of the one of the side members of the second flange portion at a position proximate an end of the second flange portion distal from the first flange portion.

5. The system according to claim 2, wherein: The inner pivot pin and the outer pivot pin of both the first and second flange portions pass through the pair of side members of the respective first and second flange portions in a direction parallel to the rotational axis.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein: The inner pivot pins of both the first and second flange portions are fixedly coupled to respective pairs of side members of respective first and second flange portions.

7. The system according to claim 5, wherein: The outer pivot pins of both the first and second flange portions pass through slots defined in respective pairs of the side members of respective first and second flange portions.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein: As the first flange portion rotates relative to the second flange portion, the outer pivot pins of both the first and second flange portions reciprocate through the slots defined in the respective pairs of side members of the respective first and second flange portions.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein: The slot has a length that provides for rotation of the first flange portion of the hinge relative to the second flange portion of the hinge from zero degrees to 180 degrees.

10. The system according to claim 8, wherein: When the hinge is in the fully extended configuration, the outer pivot pins of both the first and second flange portions are disposed at inner ends of the slots defined in the respective pairs of side members of the respective first and second flange portions.

11. The system according to claim 8, wherein: The outer pivot pins of both the first and second flange portions are disposed at outer ends of the slots defined in the respective pairs of side members of the respective first and second flange portions when the hinge is in the fully folded configuration.

12. The system according to claim 2, wherein: The hinge is configured to rotate between a fully open position in which the pair of side members of the first flange portion are collinear with the pair of side members of the second flange portion and a fully folded configuration in which the pair of side members of the first flange portion are parallel but not collinear with the pair of side members of the second flange portion.

13. The system of claim 2, wherein: The pair of side members of each of the corresponding first flange portions and the second flange portions are arranged in parallel, and a space is defined between the pair of side members of each of the corresponding first flange portions and the second flange portions, and at least a portion of each of the first connector and the second connector is disposed in the space.

14. The system of claim 2, wherein: Each of the side members of the first flange portion is collinear with a corresponding one of the side members of the second flange portion when the hinge is in the fully extended configuration.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein: The first flange portion of the hinge is configured to rotate from zero degrees to 180 degrees relative to the second flange portion of the hinge.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein: The first connector and the second connector each include a plurality of elongated plates arranged in parallel.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein: The plurality of plates of the first connector are interleaved with the plurality of plates of the second connector.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein: The plurality of plates of the first connector and each of the plurality of plates of the second connector have the same shape and size.

19. The system of claim 16, further comprising a center pin passing through each of the plurality of plates of the first connector and the plurality of plates of the second connector.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein: The center pin passes through each of the plurality of plates of the first connector and the plurality of plates of the second connector in a direction parallel to the rotation axis.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein: The center pin passes through each of the plurality of plates of the first connector and the plurality of plates of the second connector in a direction co-linear with the rotation axis.

22. The system of claim 1, wherein: When the hinge is in the fully extended configuration, each of the inner pivot pin and the outer pivot pin lies in a common plane including the axis of rotation.

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