# US 12,112,661 B2 · Retractable display device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,112,661 B2 - Document ID: US12112661B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/982,833 - Filed: 2019-03-19 - Published: 2021-02-25 - Granted: 2024-10-08 - Earliest claimed: 2018-03-21 - Assignees: InterDigital Madison Patent Holdings, SAS - Applicants: InterDigital Madison Patent Holdings, SAS - Inventors: Thomas Morin; Sebastien Fraleu; Goulven Querre - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12112661B2 ## CPC - G06F 1/1601: {Constructional details related to the housing of computer displays, e.g. of CRT monitors, of flat displays (constructional details related to flat displays integrated in a portable computer, e.g. laptop, handheld computer G06F1/1637; constructional details related to television receivers H04N5/64)} - G09F 9/375: {the position of the elements being controlled by the application of a magnetic field} - F16M 11/046: {adapted to upward-downward translation movement} - F16M 11/18: with mechanism for moving the apparatus relatively to the stand - G06F 1/1652: {the display being flexible, e.g. mimicking a sheet of paper, or rollable} - G09F 9/301: {flexible foldable or roll-able electronic displays, e.g. thin LCD, OLED} - H04M 1/0268: {including a flexible display panel} - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - G09F: DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS - F16M: FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS - H04M: TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION (circuits for controlling other apparatus via a telephone cable and not involving telephone switching apparatus G08) ## Abstract The disclosure relates to retractable display device (1) including a housing (3) having an internal space (31) defined therein, a rolling axle (32) positioned in the housing (3), an electronic display and a support structure (21) attached to a rear surface of the electronic display. The support structure (21) includes a plurality of juxtaposed support elements (210) capable of being rolled around the axle (32) with the electronic display in a storage position and of being unrolled upward, at least partially out of the housing (3), to provide a substantially planar front surface on which visual information may be displayed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A retractable display device comprising a housing having an internal space defined therein, a rolling axle positioned in the housing, an electronic display comprising a front surface and a rear surface opposite the front surface, and a support structure attached to the rear surface of the electronic display and capable of supporting the electronic display, wherein the support structure extends between upper and lower edges of the electronic display and is positioned within the periphery of the electronic display, and comprises a plurality of juxtaposed support elements being capable of being rolled around the axle with the electronic display in a storage position and of being unrolled upward, at least partially out of the housing, to provide a substantially planar display surface on which visual information may be displayed, and wherein the support structure is hidden from view when the front display surface is at least partially out of the housing; wherein a first edge of each of the support elements comprises a groove having a triangular section and extending longitudinally, the second opposite edge comprising a tip having a triangular section and extending longitudinally, the tip of a support element being configured to fit into the groove of an adjacent support element when the support structure and electronic display are deployed at least partially out of the housing; and wherein the angle between the inclined surfaces of the groove and the angle between the inclined surfaces of the tip are each substantially equal to 90°. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The retractable display device of claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises one supporting bar or a plurality of parallel supporting bars extending vertically on the rear surface of the electronic display when unrolled, each of the supporting bars comprising the plurality of juxtaposed support elements. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The retractable display device of claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises a supporting web extending vertically on the rear surface of the electronic display when unrolled, the supporting web comprising the plurality of juxtaposed support elements. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The retractable display device of claim 1, wherein each of the support elements carries at least one light element, the set of light elements of the support structure defining the display surface. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The retractable display device of claim 4, wherein each of the support elements carries a matrix of light elements. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The retractable display device of claim 4, wherein the juxtaposed support elements are joined or connected together by linking elements. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The retractable display device of claim 1, wherein the support elements carry magnets on opposite upper and lower edges for straightening the support structure by magnetic force when the support structure is deployed. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The retractable display device of claim 1, further comprising a pullable tension cable extending through an opening in each of the support elements to affix the latter together when the support structure is deployed out of the housing. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The retractable display device of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a rotating guide capable of guiding upward with an inclination the electronic display and support structure when unrolled out of the housing. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The retractable display device of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a plurality of movable guides located around the axle and configured to retract and compactly stow support structure and the electronic display when rolled inside the housing. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The retractable display device of claim 1, wherein the shape of the upper and lower edges of each of the support elements is configured so that the juxtaposed support elements fit into each other when the support structure and the electronic display are deployed at least partially out of the housing. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The retractable display device of claim 1, wherein the first edge of each of the support elements also comprises a lip having a semi-circular section and extending longitudinally, the second opposite edge also comprising a notch having a semi-circular section and extending longitudinally, the lip of a support element being configured to fit into the notch of an adjacent support element when the support structure and electronic display are deployed at least partially out of the housing. ### Claim 13 A retractable display device comprising a housing having an internal space defined therein, a rolling axle positioned in the housing, an electronic display comprising a front surface and a rear surface opposite the front surface, and a support structure attached to the rear surface of the electronic display and capable of supporting the electronic display, wherein the support structure extends between upper and lower edges of the electronic display and is positioned within the periphery of the electronic display, and comprises a plurality of juxtaposed support elements being capable of being rolled around the axle with the electronic display in a storage position and of being unrolled upward, at least partially out of the housing, to provide a substantially planar display surface on which visual information may be displayed, and wherein the support structure is hidden from view when the front display surface is at least partially out of the housing; wherein a first edge of each of the support elements comprises a groove having a triangular section and extending longitudinally, the second opposite edge comprising a tip having a triangular section and extending longitudinally, the tip of a support element being configured to fit into the groove of an adjacent support element when the support structure and electronic display are deployed at least partially out of the housing; and wherein the first edge of each of the support elements also comprises a lip having a semi-circular section and extending longitudinally, the second opposite edge also comprising a notch having a semi-circular section and extending longitudinally, the lip of a support element being configured to fit into the notch of an adjacent support element when the support structure and electronic display are deployed at least partially out of the housing. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The retractable display device of claim 13, wherein the support structure comprises one supporting bar or a plurality of parallel supporting bars extending vertically on the rear surface of the electronic display when unrolled, each of the supporting bars comprising the plurality of juxtaposed support elements. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The retractable display device of claim 13, wherein the support structure comprises a supporting web extending vertically on the rear surface of the electronic display when unrolled, the supporting web comprising the plurality of juxtaposed support elements. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The retractable display device of claim 13, wherein each of the support elements carries at least one light element, the set of light elements of the support structure defining the display surface. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The retractable display device of claim 16, wherein the juxtaposed support elements are joined or connected together by linking elements. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The retractable display device of claim 13, wherein the support elements carry magnets on opposite upper and lower edges for straightening the support structure by magnetic force when the support structure is deployed. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The retractable display device of claim 13, further comprising a pullable tension cable extending through an opening in each of the support elements to affix the latter together when the support structure is deployed out of the housing. ### Claim 20 (depends on 13) The retractable display device of claim 13, wherein the angle between the inclined surfaces of the groove and the angle between the inclined surfaces of the tip are each substantially equal to 90°.