WO2013081622A1

WO2013081622A1 - Expandable display for a computing device

Info

Publication number: WO2013081622A1
Application number: PCT/US2011/062932
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Brubaker
Original assignee: David Brubaker
Priority date: 2011-12-01
Filing date: 2011-12-01
Publication date: 2013-06-06

Abstract

A dual sided display device for a computing system wherein the display can be physically expanded or contracted to yield a larger or small display area. The device can be configured to display the same image on either screen or complementary images on the front and back. The device may be a pocket sized device which expanded to larger than a tablet, or a laptop sized device which expands to presentation size. The device is usable as a functioning display in either of the contracted or expanded extremes or in intermediate configurations.

Description

EXPANDABLE DISPLAY FOR A COMPUTING DEVICE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates generally to computers and computing devices and more particularly to displays utilized in and/or with computers and other electronic devices.

Background of the Invention

[0002] In the computing/electronic industry there is a tradeoff between size and ease of use regarding viewing area of user interfaces. Smaller devices are more portable but limited viewing areas and/or smaller interfaces make them more difficult to use. Even with larger devices, there are times when a user would find the device much more useful if the screen could be resized temporarily to the needs of a specific task. Previous attempts to satisfy these requirements resulted in displays which were configurable into larger dimensions, but these dimensions were limited in at least one direction to, at most, a doubling in size between the expanded and contracted configurations.

[0003] To be a useful improvement, a system for changing the viewing area must be easily implemented and adapted to existing computing systems. For maximum configurability the system should not impose a limited amount of incremental sizes, but instead should be resizable to any configuration from the fully contracted position to the fully expanded position in the smallest of increments. The system must be able to expand to more than double the contracted size in both horizontal and vertical directions. In addition the system should be cost effective. The present invention addresses such a need. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] Figure 1 shows an expandable display in a contracted configuration in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0005] Figure 2 shows an expandable display in a semi-expanded configuration with a zoomed screen image in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0006] Figure 3 shows an expandable display in a expanded configuration with an extended screen image in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0007] Figure 4 shows an extendable roller assembly in a contracted configuration in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0008] Figure 5 shows an extendable roller assembly in an extended configuration in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0009] Figure 6 shows a section of an extendable hollow roller assembly in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0010] Figure 7 shows an extendable hollow roller assembly in a contracted configuration in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0011] Figure 8 shows an extendable hollow roller assembly in an extended configuration in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0012] Figure 9 shows an expanding screen assembly in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. [0013] Figure 10 shows a close up view of a reliable screen's attachment to a section of an extendable roller assembly in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0014] Figure 11 shows an expandable frame and display in a contracted configuration in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0015] Figure 12 shows an expandable frame and display in an expanded configuration in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0016] Figure 13A shows a cross section of an expandable frame with a front and rear dual display configuration in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0017] Figure 13B shows a cross section of an expandable frame with a dual roller, single front display in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0018] Figure 14 shows a representation of the rack and pinion gearing system of a corner unit in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0019] Figure 15 shows a prospective view of the gearing system for establishing screen tension within a framed expandable display in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0020] Figure 16 shows a prospective view of the gearing system for establishing screen tension within a framed expandable display in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. [0021] Figure 17A shows a laptop computing device with an expandable display in a contracted configuration in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0022] Figure 17B shows a laptop computing device with an expandable display in an expanded configuration in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0023] Figure 18 shows an expandable roller illustrating the measurements used in calculating screen dimension in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0024] Figure 19 shows an expandable roller illustrating the elements used in calculating screen dimensions in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0025] Figure 20 shows an expandable screen assembly illustrating the calculations used to determine individual screen and overall display dimensions in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] The present invention comprises a framed display wherein the surface of the display and the frame may be expanded to dimensions of more than twice that of the contracted

configuration in both the horizontal and vertical dimension. Utilizing a computer display in accordance with the present invention, a user would be able to remove a small computing device (such as a that normally referred to as a "smart phone") from their pocket, and while using it, be able to, with minimal manipulation, enlarge the actual physical display to the size of a tablet or notebook computing device making the device interface larger and easier to use. In another embodiment, a user would be able to carry a laptop computer, and while using the device, stretch the screen to the size of a small projection screen to make a presentation to a group. Once the presentation was completed, the user could contract the screen back to normal laptop size and close the case for easy portability.

[0027] In either of the above embodiments, the computing system could be configured to either expand or contract the available real estate on the display (a.k.a. extend), or to expand or contract the projecting size of the fixed real estate (i.e. zoom) by default when the screen is physically resized. Further, the system could be configured to perform a specific action based on the task the system is performing at a given time. For example, if a user's focused application is a desktop navigator, it may be more likely the user would like more real estate, especially if the user has multiple application opened with windows that are stacked. As another example, if a user's focused application is presentation software, or a graphics program, then the more likely desire of the user is to expand the presentation with the screen to enhance viewing.

[0028] In another embodiment, the user may determine what occurs by how they expand or contract the screen. In one embodiment the system may present a query to the user asking for the desired action. In another embodiment, the user's physical grasping of the frame may be detected by touch sensors such that grasping the upper right and lower left to resize causes the system to zoom, but grasping the upper left and lower right to resize causes the system to reallocated the real estate.

[0029] The system described above comprises a frame with four corner sections and a plurality of nested side sections which will telescopically expand and contract as the adjacent corners are moved in relation to one another. Each frame corner section contains two leg sections, a side leg, and a top/bottom leg, which are attached to the corner sections at ninety degree (90°) angles to one another. Each leg is approximately half the minimum distance between the corners when the device is in the contracted configuration. Within each leg is a plurality of additional leg sections which nest inside of each other and will slide past one another from a nested position in the contracted configuration of the device to an extended position in the expanded configuration of the device. Each of the plurality of leg sections is of a slightly diminished size from the previous leg section so that they can nest inside each other and ultimately within the leg section attached to the corner section.

[0030] Each leg section is approximately the same length or shorted as the leg section attached to the corner, such that when the leg sections are nested in their contracted positions they will not substantially protrude into the corner section. In such a configuration the corners of the frame would remain hollow and could be occupied by various computer components. In one embodiment, the four respective corners could contain 1) the computing and memory

components, 2) the networking components, 3) the display electronics, and 4) the battery and power sub-systems. Each of these systems could be joined to the others with busses and wires which run inside the edges of the frame. One skilled in the art would be aware of numerous bussing and communication methods and protocols for communicating within the device and between the device and the external world. The corners could also provide mounting points for, as an example but not limited to, connectors, ports, and user interface components such as switches, sensors, and/or indicators. One skilled in the art would appreciate that there are other divisions of the components of a computer system which can be accomplished without violating the spirit of the invention as presented here. Further, the invention presented here is described in the example of a general computing device. Once skilled in the arts would appreciate that the innovations presented herein would be equally applicable to specialized computing device, display devices, and general communication devices including but not limited to, displays, receivers, tuners, etc.

[0031] In an exemplary embodiment, the display comprises three or more stacked reliable membrane displays ("screens") which are fixedly attached at their upper and lower edge to multi part expanding rollers configured into a frame which encompasses the edges of the display device. These rollers are configured to operate by allowing the screens to roll-up (furl) or unroll (unfurl) as the display frame is expanded or contracted. This furling and unfurling of the screens allows the display to expand and contract in one direction. For clarity of this discussion we will assume this is in the vertical direction, although it could be in the horizontal direction as well. Also to make the remaining discussion less cumbersome the term screen may refer to an individual screen unit, or the plurality of screens as a unit in either an expanded or contracted configuration. When a distinction between the two is necessary for clarity it will be explained, otherwise the term screen or screens may encompass a single screen or a plurality collection of screens working together to form a single viewing unit.

[0032] In the preferred embodiment the screens will be rolled around dual rollers, one located in the upper frame portion, and one located in the lower frame portion. In such a configuration the screens may be rolled equally on each roller thus reducing the bulkiness that would occur if the screens are rolled around a single roller and simply fixed to the opposite edge of the screen. In such an embodiment the rear of the device may be open much like a stretched painter's canvas, or the display may be positioned in the middle of the frame thickness rather than substantially flush with the front or back of the frame. Although a configuration such as that described above would function, a more preferable embodiment may be a dual sided configuration where a plurality of front screens roll around a top roller, and a plurality of rear protective materials roll around a bottom roller. In one embodiment of such a dual sided configuration, a single roller is used for the front and rear screens/protective materials. The opposite end of each of the plurality of screens/protective materials is affixed to the opposite end of the frame in by a sliding, non- roller attachment point. In another embodiment of a dual sided configuration a dual roller is used for each screen with the front and back rollers being adjacent to one another, or offset from one another such that they can fit into the same top/bottom frame areas.

[0033] In another embodiment, the device could be configured with screens on both the front and the back resulting in a two sided display. In such a configuration the physical operation may be the same as that described above but with the rear protective materials being replaced with an plurality of operational screens, as found in the front screen. The upper and lower rollers for the front and rear screens would have to be positioned by offsetting their placement, or by making the device thicker. Or in an alternative embodiment of such a configuration, one a single roller would be used on the top and bottom of the device. The rollers on the top and bottom of the display would not have to be synced to equally furl and unfurl the screens. Instead an upper roller could be used for the front screen, and a lower roller could be used for the rear screen and the opposite end of each screen may be attached to the frame in a different configuration. This may result in a thinner configuration than would occur if two rollers were used for each of the front and back. [0034] An embodiment with a front and rear screen, as described above may be configured such that a rear screen is not an operational screen but instead a protective cover for the rear of the front screen. The protective cover would expand and contract to enclose the frame in the same operational method as the front screen, but may be constructed of a non-display material. Such a material may be of a thicker more resilient nature in keeping with its task of protecting the front display from damage from a user's lap, a table top, etc. The protective cover could also protect privacy as configuring it from at least a semi-opaque material would prevent visual inspection of the rear of the front screen where sensitive data may be displayed.

[0035] In another embodiment, the front screen is may always be operational, and the rear screen may be selectively operational. In such an embodiment the rear screen could be selectively disabled to save power. The rear screen could also be selectively masked to protect privacy either by displaying an opaqueness, or a visually interfering pattern which prevents the rear of the front screen from being visual from the rear side of the device. The rear screen could also be selectively configured to display a copy of the same image displayed on the front display. Such a configuration would be useful with multiple people need to see the same image, and is more comfortable than all crowding in front of a single display. In another configuration the rear screen may be configured as an extended display or a separate display showing different information. In such a configuration, a user such as a presenter may display a slide presentation on the back of the unit for the audience to view while the front of the unit, the side facing the presenter, shows a version of the presentation and speaking notes, or even a completely different application. [0036] In a dual sided embodiment described above, the rear display, when not in use by the user, may be configured to display information such as advertising, community messages, or other content of interest to others around them all together referred to as "ads" for the rest of this discussion. One skilled in the art would appreciate other types of display content. This would be particularly appropriate for a laptop configuration where a display in the appropriate position for a user would also be at a position where the back of the unit is visible to others. A tablet configuration is not as conductive to this situation because a user would normally rest it on their lap or a table so the rear display would not be visible. A user could rent/lease the use of the rear display for ads. A program may be configured to select an appropriate ads based on a number of characteristics. A unit configured with network access or GPS could make ad selections based on the devices geographic location. A user could allow certain categories of ads, but not others. For instance a young woman may not want any type of sexually suggestive ads, and a child may not want any adult content ads. Further a user could specifically select advertising to be displayed. A user may select only ads for the products they use, or a user may only select ads which produce the greatest revenue. Ads may generate revenue for the user based on the location the time of day, they content, etc.

[0037] In the exemplary embodiment being described, the plurality of stacked screens are each fixedly attached to a multi-part roller. The roller may be substantial solid or hollow cylindrical configuration. The roller's overall external shape may be cylindrical, tubular, octagonal, square, or hexagonal, etc., and is divided parallel to the center axis to create a plurality of wedge or arcs; the outside edge of each may serve as an attachment point for one of the plurality of the screens. An end cap is attached to each end of the roller, and/or to a central core. Each section is configured to slidedly attach to the adjacent sections such that they may extend parallel to the central axis. One method of slidedly attaching the adjacent sections is through the use of a blank and a tab extruded along the mating joint between adjacent sections. The blank extruding along the side of a section results in a groove on which the extruded mating tab may slide. The tab may further be comprised of a key or stop pin which mates with a secondary groove which does not run the full length of the adjacent section. In such a configuration the sections may slide until the point that the stop pin reaches the end of the secondary groove preventing the sections from completely disengaging. In an exemplary embodiment, all but one of the section joints would mate as described above. The one remaining section may have the mating groove and slot, but would not have the stop pin or secondary groove such that it would be able to separate completely disengaging these two sections from one another. Each of these sections could contain a pin coaxially aligned with the center of the roller which operates as a piviot point, or they may each be joined by an end cap of the roller.

[0038] Each of the upper and lower rollers is configured such that each section is slidedly attached to the adjacent sections and is configured such that the position of each may be determined relative to at least one of its neighboring sections. The preferred method of doing this is to configure an electrically resistive intersection between the components and measure the change in resistivity as the components are more or less aligned, i.e. similar to the operation of a linear potentiometer. In another embodiment a linear potentiometer is fitted to the joint between the sections. In other embodiments other measuring devices may be employed to determine the offset between adjacent sliding sections of the multi-part roller. By determining the offset between adjacent sliding sections and the total length of the sections, a simple calculation can be used to determine the overall length of the roller, and the position of each and every section of the roller along this length.

[0039] The section's sliding attachment is such that in the contracted position the screens attached to each section will substantially align with one another in a stacked configuration, and when the sections are expanded, the screens will slide past one another such that they are substantially aside one another with some degree of overlap on the edges. In such a

configuration, the expanding and contracting of the rollers will allow the display to expand and contract in the horizontal directions.

[0040] To allow the screens to match in such a way that the joint at the overlapping points is not obtrusive on the viewer, the screens should remain taut. By limiting the rollers ability to rotate, the screens will remain taut. One method would be to use a spring or other system to retain tautness by placing the screens and/or the rollers under a tension which biases them to contract the screen. However such a configuration may result in the screen attempting to contract when the user was trying to employ it. This could be avoided by have a lower tension, but this could lead to insufficient tautness of the screens. In another embodiment the bias of the rollers is sufficient to retain the screen tautness, but insufficient to overcome the friction in the frame and thus prevent contracting of the display. However this configuration places the entire display in a constant state of stress which could lead to pre-mature wear and failure.

[0041] A sectioned roller as described above may also be employed for other purposes such as a basis for a window treatment, or screen. In such an embodiment the configuration would allow a rolling shade to not only be rolled to a top of an opening, but also contracted to one side of the opening for even greater unobstructed viewing area. Such an embodiment would be useful in a number of situations, examples include, but are not limited to, front windows of RV's / motor homes were privacy may be desired when the vehicle is parked, but maximum viewing is desired for driving. Another example would include protective shields / covers for solar collectors where a covering is used during hail or dust storms to protect the delicate surface.

[0042] To limit the rollers, a rack and pinion gearing mechanism is employed which translates the linear distance by which the top and bottom edges of the frame spacing changes to rotational distance in which the rollers can rotate to furl or unfurl the screens and thus remain taut. In the preferred embodiment the rotational distance would be half the linear distance and thus each of the top and bottom rollers would equally contribute to the changing screen size. In such a configuration the device could be kept more compact.

[0043] By placing a rack and pinion configuration inside of the frame and attaching it through a gearing mechanism to the rollers the screens can remain under tension. The system may comprise a plurality of racks attached or molded into the nesting frame sections. One or more of the corner units would further comprise a pinion gear or gears configured into a system which may be moveably mounted and biased, such as by a spring, so that as the nesting legs of the frame are expanded, the pinion gear would be biased to engage the next nested leg once the end of the previous leg is reached during an expansion operation. The same mechanism biases the pinion against the appropriate rack until each successively small nesting leg interposes itself between the rack and pinion and thus disengaging the pinion from the previous rack until all legs are successfully nested. By such a mechanized system the linear motion of expanding or contracting the frame can be translated into a rotational motion within the unit which indexes the screen rollers.

[0044] Each corner unit is substantially similar in construction and function. For clarity, the description is of an upper left corner unit operating in a configuration of dual rollers running horizontally across the top and bottom of a frame and supporting a front facing screen. The upper left corner unit has a plurality of nesting legs which allow the frame to extend and contract in a vertical direction. The nesting legs have rack gears mated to the inside of the nesting legs and running in the direction of the nesting action of the legs. The rack gears are engaged by a pinion gear which is supported on a carrier which is spring biased to move the gear in a front and rear direction such that the pinion gear is position to interface with each rack gear as the nesting leg pieces are extended and contracted in sequence with the corner assembly. The pinion gear is mated to a secondary gear through a common axel. The secondary gear is coupled to the roller through a belt, chain, or direct interface such that when the secondary gear rotates, the roller rotates as well. The gear ratios are such that as the nesting leg pieces are extended or contracted, the roller is rotated to extend or contract the screens an appropriate amount to retain a consistent tension on the display within the frame.

[0045] As each corner has the same configuration, and the rollers span horizontally across the frame, the roller will synchronize the upper left and the upper right corner gearing systems such that the frame will expand and contract equally in a vertical direction on both the left and right. The upper left corner's pinion gear also mates with a perpendicular gear which is connected through a telescoping axel to a similar perpendicular gear at the lower end of the frame, which in turn interfaces with the pinion gear at the lower end of the frame. Thus the perpendicular gears and their telescoping axel will synchronize the upper left and the lower left corner gearing systems such that the frame will expand and contract equally in a vertical direction on both the upper and lower portions. Further, the gearing system may further encompass an additional set of gears to synchronize between a set of front and rear screens. One skilled in the arts would appreciate that other configurations of gears, as well as differing quantities, shapes, and constructions, could be utilized to achieve an effect similar to that described above and still be within the scope and spirit of the invention described herein. Further, one skilled in the arts would appreciate that in place of the gears and chains described above; the functionality could be achieved by the use of belts and pulleys, or a series of motors. One skilled in the arts would also appreciate that these actions could be driven by turning axels or rotating gears manually or under power.

[0046] Indexing of the screen rollers may be directly accomplished by using gear ratios to determine the distance to unroll the screens. In such a system a plurality of gears and belts could redirect the rotational motion and translate it to one or more of the screen rollers. In another embodiment motors and screw drives or other gearing/interfaces could be used move the frame components in relation to one another and to furl/unfurl the screens accordingly under a power configuration. Further, if desired, the indexing could link the horizontal and vertical frame components such that specific aspect ratios are maintained by the frame as a whole.

[0047] Adjustments may be made in the actual gearing ratios to adjust the extending and retracting of the frame in relation to the screen. Further teeth spacing on the rack gears could be adjusted to compensate for thicknesses in the roller based on the amount of screen encircling it such that an precise tensions can be maintained throughout the operation.

[0048] The display unit described above may be a display for another computing device, or may be a self contained computing device for general or specific task. In one embodiment the display is a self contained unit such as a smart phone or a tablet. In another embodiment the device may be a display hingedly connected to a computing device such as those found on a laptop. In another embodiment the display may be a wall hung or table top unit which connects to an external device such as a television tuner or a desktop computing device.

[0049] With a display which can expand and contract dynamically under regular operation, accommodations must be made for interfacing with the operating system of a computing device. In one configuration a middleware system (driver) is used between the dynamic screen and the Operating System (OS). Such a driver may be implemented as software or hardware. The physical dimensions of the display must be known as well as the physical portions of each screen which comprise the display.

[0050] The vertical dimension of the display is simply a matter of knowing the overall length of the stacked screen sections and subtracting the amount encircling each roller. The length minus the total amount encircling each roller results in the vertical dimensions of the display. Knowing the length encircling either roller allows a quick determination of exactly what part of the screens are visible within the frame and thus comprise the display. One method of determining the amount of the screen encircling each roller would be to index and track the amounts of the screens furled or unfurled from a known position such as a fully expanded or contracted frame configuration.

[0051] As described above, the extending rollers can be configured with potentiometers, semi- conductive joints, infra-red measuring devices, or other methods to determine the overlap between each joint. For sake of clarity the following discussion will assume five screens (Si - S₅) attached to a five section (Ri - R₅)of a multi-part roller with length as was described above. Assume the length of each roller is L. Further assume that the screens overlap such that the top screen (Si) in the stack is attached to the left most section of the roller (Ri) when it is in its extended configuration, and the successive screens align similarly through the right most screen (S₅) which is attached to the right most section of the roller (R₅) and which is on the bottom of the stack. Each section may be extended, but its screen (S_x) will always have some overlap (l_x) on the left side by the previous screen (S_x-1). The only exception is the left most section (Ri), whose topmost screen (Si) is always on top and thus has an overlap (li) which is zero. Thus the visible width of each screen (W_x) is the width of the screen (L) minus the overlap (l_x) or W_x = L - l_x. Further, the width of the display is the summation of the widths of each screen. The visible portion of each screen would be the right side of the screen.

[0052] A display driver would present to the OS as a single display with the dimensions calculated above. The driver would then proceed to divide the screen into vertical sections corresponding to the width of each individual screen as calculated above, and display each section at the appropriate distance down the right edge of the appropriate screen. [0053] A touch screen driver which operates on the principal of a touch sensitive overlay on a screen would be configured in a manner similar to the display driver in which any touch registered by a screen would be adjusted based on the portion of the screen visible in the display frame and that of the other screens. A touch screen driver which operates on the principal of infra-red or some other method of measuring the location of an interrupted beam would operate by adjusting the relative position based on the screen's current dimensions. Regardless of format the touch screen driver would then present the location data to the OS as if it were from a single touch sensitive display.

[0054] Figure 1 shows an expandable display in a contracted configuration in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In this view the user (10) grasps the upper right corner (102) of the expandable display (100) and the lower left corner (104) of the expandable display (100) and eases them apart as indicated by the arrows. The user (10) could have also grasped the upper left corner (101) and the lower right corner (103) to produce the same effect. In either method the display will be stretched enlarging the screen. The expandable display (100) is illustrated in the contracted screen configuration (150) with an illustrative image which will be referenced below for comparisons.

[0055] Figure 2 shows an expandable display in a semi-expanded configuration with a zoomed screen image in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In this illustration the user (10) has eased the upper right corner (102) of the expandable display (100) and the lower left corner (104) of the expandable display (100) apart to enlarge the expandable display (100) to the illustrated semi-expanded screen configuration (155). The user (10) could have also grasped the upper left corner (101) and the lower right corner (103) to produce the same effect. In the semi-expanded screen configuration (155) the illustrative image is shown to have zoomed in size to produce a larger version of substantially the same image.

[0056] Figure 3 shows an expandable display in a expanded configuration with an extended screen image in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In this illustration the user (10) has continued to ease the upper right corner (102) of the expandable display (100) and the lower left corner (104) of the expandable display (100) apart to enlarge the expandable display (100) to the illustrated expanded screen configuration (157). The user (10) could have also grasped the upper left corner (101) and the lower right corner (103) to produce the same effect. In the expanded screen configuration (157) the illustrative image is shown to have extended to show a larger field of view and the original image display in Figure 1 is

approximately illustrated to be the same size.

[0057] The illustrative image may zoom and shrink, or extend and retract depending on how the user changes the dimensions of the display. In one embodiment the determination of how the illustrative image is configured is determined by sensors which determine how the user change the configuration by grasping different corners. In another embodiment, how the illustrative image is configured is determined by the application which is displaying the illustrative image. In another embodiment, the user is presented with a dialog or otherwise queried to determine how the illustrative image should me manipulated.

[0058] Figure 4 shows an extendable roller assembly in a contracted configuration in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The roller (300) is comprised of a plurality of sections (310) which are slidedly joined to one another by interlocking joints which allow the unit to expand and contract lengthwise by allowing the sections (310) to slide along one another in a direction parallel to the central axis of the roller. In the embodiment illustrated the roller is shown to be of a cylindrical same. One skilled in the art would appreciate that the overall shape of the roller may vary. In one embodiment the roller may have flat angled outer walls rather than the curved outer walls illustrated such that the shape is for example, square, orthogonal, hexagonal, or some other shape. The embodiment illustrated is shown with for sections (31 OA - 310D). One skilled in the art would appreciate that the number of sections can range from three to many more with other elements of the design dictating the optimal number for a given embodiment.

[0059] Figure 5 shows an extendable roller assembly in an extended configuration in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The extend roller assembly (300) is illustrated with end caps (320), the upper of which is in phantom for clarity. Each end cap has a pivot point (325) which is substantially in line with the central axis of the roller. Each end cap (320) is mounted to one of the sections (here 310A & 310D). The other sections are joined at their common sides to the adjacent section by a sliding rail (340) which mates with a track (330) in the adjacent section (310). The tracks (330) are further recessed to allow a rail stop pin (345) to slide along the section (310) to a pre-determined point to prevent the sections (310) from becoming completely disengaged. This allows the extending roller (300) to extend and contract a predetermined amount depending on the length of the sections (310), and the placement of the groove (330) for the rail stop pin (345). [0060] Figure 6 shows a section of an extendable hollow roller assembly in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment the same functionality exist as was illustrated in Figures 4 and 5. However in this embodiment, the sections (410) are curved in an arc shape such that when all are mated the shape is a tube rather than a cylinder. The curved sections (410) still contain a track (430) and a rail (440) with a rail stop pin (445).

[0061] Figure 7 shows an extendable hollow roller assembly in a contracted configuration in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The individual curved sections (410) join to form a hollow extendable roller (400) as previously illustrated. The end caps (320, not shown) may be attached to one of the sections (410), and/or may be attached to a central core (not illustrated) which extends through the middle of the hollow roller (400) and provides strength and rigidity. The central core would have to be extendable in length to allow the extending of the extendable hollow roller assembly. The preferred embodiment would comprise the central core configured as a telescoping hollow rod which is joined to the center of each end cap (320, not shown), wherein the endcap (320) is also attached to one of the curved wall sections (410).

[0062] Figure 8 shows an extendable hollow roller assembly in an extended configuration in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The extendable hollow roller assembly (400) as illustrated comprises five sections (41 OA - 410E) which are joined by the same rails (440) and groove/track (430) as previously discussed. The rail stop pins (445) prevent the rail sections from completely disengaging from the adjacent sections (410). One skilled in the art would appreciate that the arc of the curved sections, and their number would depend on the number and circumference of the roller assembly.

[0063] Figure 9 shows an expanding screen assembly in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In the illustrated embodiment an expanding screen assembly (600) is shown with four reliable screens (61 OA - 610D) each end of the reliable screens encircling one of the two extendable roller assemblies (300/400 hidden), which are only visible by their endcaps (320). The screens each attach to a different section of the rollers and are organized such that the screens do not interfere with each other, but rather slide past one another into a stacked front to back configuration.. The screens over lap (620) so that they retain their position relative to one another and as the extendable roller assemblies are contracted, the screens will nest with the far right screen (610D) sliding underneath the next adjacent screen (6 IOC) which slides underneath the next adjacent screen (610B) which slides underneath the left most screen (61 OA). In this configuration, the contracted rollers would have a series of screens attached to each roller with the screens stacked one on top of another and the ends curled around the rollers. Extending the rollers has the opposite effect.

[0064] To prevent the screens from interfering with each other during the extending and contracting of the rollers, they must be configured such that the rollers at each end of the screen assembly is a mirror image of the other. As an example in the illustration of Figure 9, if we assume the top roller expands with the sections extended in a counter-clockwise direction, then the bottom roller must expand with the sections extended in a clockwise direction. To further illustrate, lets assume that the ends of the right most screen (610D) is attached to the roller section located at the side of each roller which is facing up. Then the next screen's (6 IOC) top edge must attach to the next section on the top roller located clockwise from that of 610D.

Further, 6 IOC's bottom edge must attach to the next section on the bottom roller located counterclockwise from that of 610D. Each of these sections must extend to the left of the figure, which means their configuration would be mirrored the other roller.

[0065] Figure 10 shows a close up view of a reliable screen's attachment to a section of an extendable roller assembly in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The reliable screen (612) is attached (615) to the roller section (310) so that it will lie along the outside edge and is aligned so that the reliable screen will wrap around the roller's primary axis when all sections are properly configured.

[0066] Figure 11 shows an expandable frame and display in a contracted configuration in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The frame (700) is illustrated with four corner units (701 - 704) each corner unit has a substantially hollow cavity (730) into which electronics can be installed to support the display and computing functions. The corner units (701 - 704) each have two nesting leg subassemblies (740) which are oriented at a ninety degree angle to one another. The corner units (701 - 704) are arranged in a plane with the nesting leg subassemblies (740) joined at a frame center joint (750). The inside edge of the frame has a frame screen opening (760) which encloses an expanding screen assembly (600).

[0067] Figure 12 shows an expandable frame and display in an expanded configuration in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The frame (700) comprised of corner units (701 - 704) which have nesting leg sub assemblies (740) which comprise a plurality of nesting frame leg sections (741) and are joined to the adjacent corner by a nesting frame leg mid-section (745). The nesting frame mid-section (745) is approximately double the length of the nesting frame leg sections (741). Then entire frame assembly encircles a expanding screen assembly (600) which is comprised of extending rollers (not illustrated) which are in the upper and lower edges of the frame (701-702 & 703-704) and are spanned by a plurality of reliable screens (610). The reliable screens run between the rollers parallel to the side edges of the frame (701-704 & 702-703). Illustrated is a front screen (610) which faces the front (710) of the frame. Not illustrated is a rear screen which faces the rear (720) of the frame.

[0068] Figure 13A shows a cross section of an expandable frame with a front and rear dual display configuration in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, a single roller (300) is utilized for the screens (820) of the display on the front side (710) and a single roller (300) is utilized for the screens (830) of the display on the rear side (720). The end of each screen (820, 830) opposite the rollers (300) are supported by an extending anchoring assembly (810) which comprises a series of sections similar to those of an expanding roller, in that they slidely attach to one another, and anchor a screen edge, however they are not round, and they are not configured to roll the screen, but rather to simply anchor one edge of each screen and allow the expansion and contraction in the vertical direction to coincide with the extending and contracting of the roller at the opposite end of the screen.

[0069] Figure 13B shows a cross section of an expandable frame with a dual roller, single front display in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, dual rollers (300) are utilized at each end of the screens (820) on the front side (710) of the frame. The rear side (720) of the frame does not support a second screen in this embodiment.

[0070] Figure 14 shows a representation of the rack and pinion gearing system of a corner unit in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The portion of the gearing system (900) illustrated is found in each of the corner units (701 - 704) of the frame. The top plate (940) of the nesting frame leg section (741) and nesting frame leg mid-sections (745) each contain a rack gear (930). The rack gears (930) in turn mate with a pinion gear (920) which is turned in a counterclockwise direction as the top plates (930) travel in the direction indicated by the arrow. The pinion gear (920) is supported on a pinion gear carrier (910) which is biased by a series of biasing springs (915) such that as one top plate (940) moves from a position on top of the pinion gear (920) the pinion gear carrier (910) will move upward so as to cause the pinion gear (920) to engage the rack gear (930) in the next top plate (940). In the diagram a series of three such top plates (940) are illustrated. One skilled in the art would appreciate that a plurality of top plates (940) could be accommodated with minor adjustments of the traveling distance of the pinion gear carrier (910). The top corners of the pinion gear carrier (910) are angled so as to allow the entire operation described above to be reversed in a similar fashion causing the pinion gear (920) to be rotated in a clockwise direction as the top plates (940) move in a direction opposite that indicated by the arrow in the diagram.

[0071] Figures 15 and 16 show prospective views of the gearing system for establishing screen tension within a framed expandable display in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The portion of the gearing system (900) illustrated is found in each of the corner units (701 - 704) of the frame. The top plate (940) of the nesting frame leg section (741) and nesting frame leg mid-sections (745) each contain a rack gear (930). The rack gear (930), shown in the retracted position in Figure 15, and in the extending position in Figure 16. The rack gear (930) mates with a pinion gear (920) which is turned in a counterclockwise direction as the top plates (930) extend. The pinion gear is mated with a secondary gear (935). The secondary gear (935) is coupled by a belt or chain (955) to the roller drive gear (950), which in turn drives the roller. The perpendicular drive gear (960) mates with the pinion gear (950) and interfaces with the lower drive shaft (970) which couples with the gearing system at the other corner of the frame.

[0072] Figure 17A shows a laptop computing device with an expandable display in a contracted configuration in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 17B shows the same laptop computing device with the display in the expanded configuration. Changing between the contracted and expanded configurations can be accomplished manually by having a user urge the corners apart, or automatically by an electromotive force at the command of a user.

[0073] Figure 18 shows an expandable roller illustrating the measurements used in calculating screen dimension in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Each roller section has an overall length of "L" which is approximately the distance between the end caps when the roller is in the contracted position. The different sections of the roller overlap one another and the overlap is indicated by "1".

[0074] Figure 19 shows an expandable roller illustrating the elements used in calculating screen dimensions in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The illustrated roller has five sections (Ri - R₅). The sections have overlaps (1₂ - 1₅). Note there is no li overlap because section Ri is attached to the topmost screen and therefore is always visible.

[0075] Figure 20 shows an expandable screen assembly illustrating the calculations used to determine individual screen and overall display dimensions in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Here the screens (Si - S5) are stacked such that Screen Si overlaps Screen S₂ by a distance of 1₂. Screen S₂ overlaps Screen S₃ by a distance of 1₃. Screen S₃ overlaps Screen S₄ by a distance of 1₄. Screen S₄ overlaps Screen S₅ by a distance of 1₅. Since Screen Si has no overlapping screen its displayed width (Wi) is simply L. The width (W₂) of the displayable portion of Screen S₂ is calculated by the total screen width (L) minus the overlap (1₂). Thus: W₂ = L - 1₂. Similarly: W3 = L - 1₃; W₄ = L - 1₄; W5 = L - I5. Finally the overall visible display width (W_T) is a summation of each of the individual screen's visible width, i.e. W_T = Wi + W₂ + W3 + W₄ + W₅. Mathematically it can be shown that W_T also equals 5L - (1₂ + I3 + 1₄ + 1₅).

[0076] The diagrams in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention are provided as examples and should not be construed to limit other embodiments within the scope of the invention. For instance, heights, widths, and thicknesses may not be to scale and should not be construed to limit the invention to the particular proportions illustrated. Additionally some elements illustrated in the singularity may actually be implemented in a plurality. Further, some element illustrated in the plurality could actually vary in count. Further, some elements illustrated in one form could actually vary in detail. Further yet, specific numerical data values (such as specific quantities, numbers, categories, etc.) or other specific information should be interpreted as illustrative for discussing exemplary embodiments. Such specific information is not provided to limit the invention.

[0077] In the various embodiments in accordance with the present invention, embodiments are implemented as a method, system, and/or apparatus. As one example, exemplary embodiments are implemented as one or more computer software programs to implement the methods described herein. The software is implemented as one or more modules (also referred to as code subroutines, or "objects" in object-oriented programming). The location of the software will differ for the various alternative embodiments. The software programming code, for example, is accessed by a processor or processors of the computer or server from long-term storage media of some type, such as a CD-ROM drive or hard drive. The software programming code is embodied or stored on any of a variety of known media for use with a data processing system or in any memory device such as semiconductor, magnetic and optical devices, including a disk, hard drive, CD-ROM, ROM, etc. The code is distributed on such media, or is distributed to users from the memory or storage of one computer system over a network of some type to other computer systems for use by users of such other systems. Alternatively, the programming code is embodied in the memory (such as memory of the handheld portable electronic device) and accessed by the processor using the bus. The techniques and methods for embodying software programming code in memory, on physical media, and/or distributing software code via networks are well known and will not be further discussed herein.

[0078] The above discussion is meant to be illustrative of the principles and various

embodiments of the present invention. Numerous variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated. It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace all such variations and modifications.

Claims

What is claimed is

1. A expanding display device comprising:

an expandable frame having a general rectangular cuboid shape; said frame encircling an expandable rolling flat screen assembly; said expandable device alternately configurably between an contracted configuration, and an expanded configuration;

the expanded configuration being more than twice the dimensions of the contracted configuration; and

said device being utilizable as a display device for a computing system in either configuration. 2. The expanding display device described in claim 1 wherein the expandable frame

comprises:

a plurality of corner units;

each joined by leg assemblies;

where in the leg assemblies comprise:

a plurality of nesting legs telescopically mated

to allow expansion and contraction of the frame independently in both the horizontal and vertical directions. The expanding display device described in claim 1 wherein the expandable rolling screen assembly comprises:

a plurality of at least three flat reliable display screens wherein:

the screens are in a stacked configuration with their vertical ends each independently attached to separate connection points in a series of expanding connection points:

wherein the connection points are connected to at least one adjacent connection point;

and configured to slidedly connect to the adjacent section such that the sections can extend in a horizontal direction relative to one another, thus allowing the screens to expand horizontally.

4. The expanding display device described in claim 3 wherein at least one of the series of expanding connection point comprises:

a roller assembly with a curved external wall resulting in a substantially cylindrical shape;

said roller being divided into a plurality of sections along a planes parallel to the central axis, and configured such that the sections are slidedly attached to at least one adjacent sections such that it can extend along the adjacent section in the direction of the central axis; and

each section further comprising an interfering connection which prevents said sections from sliding beyond each other such that they may become disconnected;

each end of said roller having an end cap assembly with a pivot point centered on the outer edge distal the roller and in line with the rollers center axis;

said end caps attached to the end of at least one of the sections. 5. The expanding display device described in claim 4 wherein the rollers are biased to maintain tension on the screens such that they do not separate at the overlapping edges. 6. The expanding display device described in claim 5 wherein the biasing of the rollers is accomplished by a gearing mechanism which indexes the rotation of the rollers to the expansion and contraction of the frame.

7. The expanding display device as described in claim 2 wherein the corner units are hollow and contain computing components for driving the expanding display devices;

and wherein the computing components in the various corners are connected with buses extending along the expanding edges of the frame. 8. The expanding display device as described in claim 1 wherein the frame encircles both a primary and a secondary expandable rolling flat screen assembly, each facing opposite directions and visible from opposite sides of the frame. 9. The expanding display device as described in claim 8 wherein the secondary screen is an opaque privacy screen to prevent viewing of the primary screen from the back side of the frame. 10. The expanding display device as described in claim 8 wherein the secondary screen is configured to display general messages to a surround public when the primary user is not utilizing the screen. 11. The expanding display device as described in claim 1 wherein the expandable rolling flat screen assembly further comprises a touch sensitive screen. 12. The expanding display device as described in claim 1 wherein the expanding and

contracting of the frame and encircled display is accomplished by manual manipulation of the corners of the display frame.

13. The expanding display device as described in claim 1 wherein the expanding and contracting of the frame and encircled display is accomplished by electo-mechanical force. 14. A method of displaying an image on a expanding display device comprising:

displaying an image on a display device

determining the type of image or application being displayed

zooming or expanding the image based on the application or type of image when the display devices is expanded; and

shrinking or contracting the image based on the application or type of image when the display device is contracting. 15. A method of displaying an image on an expanding display device as described in claim 14 wherein:

The application is a presentation application or a image viewer; and the image is zoomed or shrunk depending on the expansion or contraction of the display device. 16. A method of displaying an image on an expanding display device as described in claim 14 wherein:

The application is a desktop or navigation application; and

the image is extended or contracted depending on the expansion or contraction of the display device.

85 17. A method of displaying images on a dual sided display comprising:

86 displaying a primary image on the rear display for viewing by an audience

87 displaying a related secondary image on the front display for viewing by the

88 presenter.

89 18. A method of displaying an image on an expanding display device comprising:

90 determining which portions of a plurality of screens are visible on the expanding

91 display device;

92 calculating the height and width of the configuration of the plurality of screens;

93 presenting the computing device a virtual display of the same height and width as

94 the configuration of the plurality of screens;

95 receiving from the computing device a virtual image for the virtual display;

96 segmenting the virtual image to coincide with the configuration of the plurality of

97 screens;

98 displaying on each of the plurality of screens a segment of the virtual image.

19. An expandable roller screen assembly comprising:

a substantially cylindrical roller comprising:

a first end cap at one end with a central pivot point extending from the center of the front side of the first end cap and aligned with the center axis of the cylindrical roller; and

a second end cap distal the first end cap with a central pivot point extending from the center of the front side of the second end cap and aligned with the center axis of the cylindrical roller and the pivot point of the first end cap;

said roller being divided along planes parallel to the central axis into a plurality of arced or wedged sections wherein each section is slidedly connect to at least one adjacent section such that the sections can extend relative to one another parallel to the roller's central axis;

the farthest right extending section being attached to the back side of the first end cap;

the farthest left extending section being attached to the back side of the second end cap; and

a plurality of sheets of screen material:

each sheet of screen material independently attached to the outer side of one of the sections of the roller assembly such that when the sections are aligned with one another the screen materials align in a stacked formation and when the sections extend past one another, the screens move adjacent to one another thus allowing the screens to expand horizontally.