Device for visual display of information with the ability to connect additional functional modules

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of visual display devices, such as a monitor or a television receiver, and is intended for integration with additional functional modules (1). These may include, for example, an RGB light module (6), a weather station (7), a light projector, a smoke and gas sensor (5), etc. The invention consists of a device for visual display of information, comprising a cover (3), a power supply, and a control board located inside the cover (3), and means for connecting additional functional modules (1) placed on or inside the cover (3). The means for connecting additional functional modules (1) are linked to the power supply and allow the modules (1) to operate independently of the main device. The additional functional modules (1) include means for wireless transmission of electromagnetic signals and may be compatible with Smart Home systems. The technical effect of the invention is the possibility of expanding the functionality of the visual display device, ensuring autonomous power supply to additional functional modules (1), improving integration with smart environments, enabling control of lighting and climate, and detecting harmful substances in the room.

Description

[0001] DEVICE FOR VISUAL DISPLAY OF INFORMATION WITH THE ABILITY TO CONNECT ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONAL MODULES

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a device for visual display of information, such as a monitor, a television receiver (television set), etc., which are equipped with special means for mounting of additional functional modules, such as an RGB light device, and / or a weather station, and / or a light projector, and / or a smoke and gas sensor, etc. equipped with a means of wireless transmission of an electromagnetic signal, e.g. Wi-Fi.

[0003] Examples of prior art television receiver are shown in EP2351960A1 (ILLUMINATION DEVICE, DISPLAY DEVICE, AND TELEVISION RECEPTION DEVICE), published on August 03, 2011. This television receiver has light sources such as LED and LED plates arranged along the direction of a plane through which light is output to the outside.

[0004] The disadvantages of this device are that the light sources are integrated into the design of the TV receiver cover and are functionally related to its operation. Because of this, the use of the light source as night lighting in the "night light" mode is excluded, if there is no power supply on the control board of the TV receiver. Also, this device does not allow you to control the light source using a smartphone, and does not provide for the installation of external additional functional modules.

[0005] AmbiLight lighting systems are also known, which are used to improve the experience of viewing visual and audiovisual information on a TV receiver. Such a system consists of one or two U-shaped light guides, the legs of which spatially correspond to three or four sides of the TV receiver screen. In one embodiment, the light sources illuminate a background surface behind the TV set, such as a wall. In another embodiment, the light sources are arranged around the TV receiver screen, substantially in the same plane as the screen, and emit light forward [US20100091193A1 (AMBILIGHT DISPLAYING ARRANGEMENT), published on April 15, 2010]. The disadvantages of this lighting system are that it is functionally linked to the operation of the TV receiver and is used to improve the experience of viewing visual and audiovisual information using a TV receiver. This does not allow using this lighting system in the "night light" mode, i.e. independently of the operation of the TV receiver. Also, this system does not provide for the installation of external additional functional modules on the TV receiver.

[0006] A television receiver equipped with an audio speaker and a television receiver power supply board is known. A smoke detector is installed inside the TV receiver cover, the output of which is connected to the TV receiver audio speaker, and the power supply is connected to the TV receiver power board [US 5023601 A (Smoke Detector for TV), publication date: 11.06.1991].

[0007] The disadvantages of this device are that the smoke detector is functionally linked to the operation of the TV receiver, as it is powered by the TV receiver power supply board. In other words, the smoke detector serves as an audible alarm for smoke in the room and works only when the TV receiver is in operation, and cannot be integrated into a room control and monitoring system such as Smart Home due to the lack of means to connect to external systems.

[0008] The general disadvantage of the above prior art analogues is that each of them has only one functional module, for example, a light source or a smoke detector, and cannot act as a hub (concentrator) of additional functional modules that are connected to the visual information display device depending on the need for their use. Moreover, the functional modules available in analogs are built-in, which increases the cost of the device. Therefore, it is more expedient to make additional functional modules external and with the possibility of attaching them to the cover of the visual information display device.

[0009] The closest prior art device is a liquid crystal display, which is used as a car multimedia system and can be constructively equipped with external additional functional modules, such as a video camera, sound speakers, manual control buttons, RGB lighting, etc., which significantly expands the capabilities of this device. The display includes a cover, a power supply and a control board mounted inside the cover, and means for connecting additional functional modules placed on or inside the cover. Additional functional modules are attached to the cover, mainly from the top, bottom, and sides, using original brackets [The top 5 car accessories worth buying for Xiaomi SU7, url: https: / / www. youtube. com / watch? v=BDTr Lgt9gk].

[0010] The disadvantages of the closest prior art device are the limited ability to mount additional functional modules on the back of the cover or other parts of the car interior, and the inability to use it with additional smoke and climate control sensors in the environment. Moreover, the device is designed to be used only as a car multimedia system, which limits the versatility of using additional functional modules.

[0011] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a new device for visual display of information, with the possibility of using additional functional modules, such as: RGB lighting, which additionally performs the function of a soft transition from the mode of viewing visual and audiovisual information on the device screen to the sleep mode, a weather station designed to monitor and manage the climate indoors, a light projector with projection on the wall behind the visual display device or ceiling, a smoke and gas sensor, a climate sensor and the like, and additional functional modules are independent of the availability of power for the operation of the visual display device, and can be integrated into a Smart Home type room control and monitoring system, or controlled directly from a smartphone.

[0012] The object of the disclosure is achieved by a device for visual display of information with the ability to connect additional functional modules. The proposed device comprises a cover, a power supply and a control board mounted inside the cover, and means for connecting additional functional modules placed on or inside the cover. The means for connecting additional functional modules are linked to the power supply. Said power supply is configured to power the additional functional modules independently of the device. The means for connecting additional functional modules are configured for connecting additional functional modules equipped with the means of wireless transmission of an electromagnetic signal.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the disclosure, wireless chargers with magnetic brackets of additional functional modules located inside the cover are used as means for connecting additional functional modules.

[0014] According to another embodiment of the disclosure, power connectors located on the cover are used as means for connecting additional functional modules, including the power connectors with the number of pins from 1 to 5, for example, like jack connectors, are used as power connectors. In this embodiment, the power connectors are additionally equipped with magnetic brackets of the additional functional module and / or a fastening element located on the cover and designed to allow connection and disconnection of an additional functional module.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the disclosure, the means for connecting additional functional modules are configured to connect such additional functional modules as an RGB light device, and / or a weather station, and / or a light projector, and / or a smoke detector.

[0016] According to another embodiment of the disclosure, the means for connecting additional functional modules are connected to the power supply via adapters located inside the cover.

[0017] According to another embodiment of the disclosure, an electronic board or an integrated electronic component configured for electrical connection between the means for connecting additional functional modules and the power supply is used as the adapter.

[0018] According to another embodiment of the disclosure, a power module integrated into the control board is used as the power supply.

[0019] According to another embodiment of the disclosure, a power module, located on a board separate from the control board, is used as the power supply.

[0020] According to another embodiment of the disclosure, the device described above is a TV set. The disclosure is based on the idea of increasing the functionality of the visual information display device due to the fact that the last one acts as a power source for additional functional modules that can be attached to its cover in various combinations. At the same time, the power supply of the installed additional functional modules is independent of the operation of TV functions itself, i.e. the device can be turned off but connected to a power source, for example, an in-home AC electrical power line, and then the additional functional modules are powered and operational. The proposed devise is made so that additional functional modules are powered when the device itself isn’t.

[0021] The power supply is configured to supply power to the means for connecting additional functional modules both in the device operating mode and in the sleep mode. Moreover, the configuration of the means for connecting additional functional modules equipped with wireless electromagnetic signal transmission, for example, a means of connecting to a Wi-Fi network, allows the modules to be integrated into a room control and monitoring system such as a Smart Home or controlled directly from a smartphone.

[0022] In the following the disclosure will be described in greater detail by means of different embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0023] Fig. 1 illustrates options for placing the means for connecting additional functional modules connected to the power supply on the cover of the device;

[0024] Fig. 2 shows options for placing additional functional modules on the cover of the device.

[0025] The placement of the means for connecting additional functional modules, as well as the type and form of their design, are not limited to the embodiments shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2.

[0026] According to the disclosure, a display, television, or similar device can serve as the proposed device for visual display of information. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 illustrate a TV set as the proposed device. According to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, TV set contains a screen and means for connecting additional functional modules (in the amount from one to five), such as a smoke detector, an RGB light device, a light projector — projecting static light on the wall behind the TV set or on the ceiling, and a weather station (temperature, humidity, pressure). Depending on the model of the additional function modules, they are connected to the TV via the corresponding means for connecting additional functional. For example, such means are wireless power transfer devices with magnetic brackets of additional functional modules located inside the cover.

[0027] Such wireless power transfer devices transmit data and power via a wireless interface, such as a device using the like Qi or MagSafe wireless charging standard. As an alternative or in combination with the above, the means for connecting additional functional modules are power connectors located on the TV set cover, for example, connectors with the number of tips from 1 to 5, such as a jack connector. In this case, the power connectors are additionally equipped with magnetic brackets for the additional functional module and / or a fastening element located on the cover and designed to allow connection and disconnection of an additional functional module. Any known mechanical connection, such as clamps or screws, can be used as fasteners. Additional functional modules can also be attached to the cover in any other known and suitable way, for example, with glue or double stick tape. For each additional functional module, a separate bracket can be used, which is related to the design of this module.

[0028] Additional functional modules are powered through a power supply installed inside the cover. The power supply is either a power module integrated into the control board or, alternatively, a power module located on the board separately from the control board. The power supply is configured to provide power for connected additional function modules independently of the device. When connecting the visual display device to an electrical power source, such as an in-home AC electrical power line, the additional function modules are powered separately from the primary electrical components of the TV set. That is, the power supply for connecting additional functional modules is provided both in the operating mode of the device and in the sleep mode. Thus, the additional functional modules, after installing them on the cover of the device that is connected to an external power source, are immediately ready for use, regardless of whether the device itself is operating.

[0029] The means for connecting additional functional modules are connected to the power supply using adapters located inside the cover. An adapter is a separate electronic board or an integrated electronic component configured for electrical connection between the means for connecting additional functional modules and the power supply. For example, an adapter in the form of an electronic board is located on the surface of the device's housing on the inside of the cover. Inside the cover, the adapter electronic board is electrically connected to the power supply directly or through a splitter board or adapter that provides power to all means for connecting additional functional modules. On the outer surface of the cover the adapter contains a jack connector for connecting an additional functional module also equipped with a jack connector.

[0030] The additional function modules can be equipped with a means of wireless electromagnetic signal transmission, for example, suitable for connecting to a Wi-Fi network, in order to integrate into a system that integrates the connected additional function modules or other electronic components installed in the room (sensors, alarm devices, actuators, etc.), such as a Smart Home system, with their subsequent configuration and control via a mobile application, etc.

[0031] Fig. 1 shows a placement of the means for connecting additional functional modules (1) on the rear panel (2) of the cover (3) as an example. The means for connecting additional functional modules (1) can be located not only on the rear panel (2) of the cover (3), but also on the front panel or on the bottom, top or side surfaces of the rear panel (2) of the cover (3).

[0032] Fig. 2 shows an example of placing such additional functional modules on the rear panel (2) of the cover (3) as a digital watch (4), a smoke and gas detector (5), an RGB light module (6), and a weather station (7). It is possible to use other additional functional modules. An advantage of the solution of the disclosure is that the proposed device for visual display of information is suitable for equipping with additional functional modules that can be integrated into the Smart Home system, and can be used to control the lighting in the room, to ensure a smooth transition from the mode of viewing visual or audiovisual information on the device screen to the sleep mode, and can be used to control the climate in the room and detect harmful substances in it.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A device for visual display of information with the ability to connect additional functional modules, comprising a cover, a power supply and a control board mounted inside the cover, and means for connecting additional functional modules placed on or inside the cover, characterized in that the means for connecting additional functional modules are linked to the power supply, said power supply is configured to power the additional functional modules independently of the device, wherein the means for connecting additional functional modules are configured for connecting additional functional modules equipped with the means of wireless transmission of an electromagnetic signal.

2. The device according to Claim 1, characterized in that wireless power transfer devices with magnetic brackets located inside the cover are used as the means for connecting additional functional modules.

3. The device according to Claim 1, characterized in that power connectors located on the cover are used as the means for connecting additional functional modules.

4. The device according to Claim 3, characterized in that connectors with a number of pins from one to five are used as the power connectors.

5. The device according to Claim 4, characterized in that a jack connector is used as the power supply.

6. The device according to Claim 5, characterized in that the power connectors are additionally equipped with a magnetic bracket of the additional functional module and / or a fastening element located on the cover and designed to allow connection and disconnection of an additional functional module.

7. The device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the means for connecting additional functional modules are configured to connect such additional functional modules as a light projector, and / or an RGB light device, and / or a weather station, and / or a smoke and gas sensor.

8. The device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the means for connecting additional functional modules are connected to the power supply with adapters located inside the cover.

9. The device according to Claim 8, characterized in that an electronic board or an integrated electronic component configured for electrical connection between the means for connecting additional functional modules and the power supply is used as the adapter.

10. The device according to Claim 1, characterized in that a power module integrated into the control board is used as the power supply.

11. The device according to Claim 1, characterized in that a power module, located on a board separate from the control board, is used as the power supply.

12. The device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the device is a television set.

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