Desktop device with adjustable flat panel screen

• US 20010017761A1
• Filed: 05/07/2001
• Published: 08/30/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/1993
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NetAirus Systems
• Original Assignee: Richard J. Ditzik
• Inventors: Ditzik, Richard J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,091,961 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/681
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/16 Constructional details or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1615 with several enclosures having relative motions, each enclosure supporting at least one I/O or computing function constructional details of portable telephones comprising a plurality of mechanically joined movable body parts H04M1/0206
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/169 the I/O peripheral being an integrated pointing device, e.g. trackball in the palm rest area, mini-joystick integrated between keyboard keys, touch pads or touch stripes G06F1/1643 takes precedence; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1612 Flat panel monitor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1614 Image rotation following screen orientation, e.g. switching from landscape to portrait mode
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1631 Panel PC, e.g. single housing hosting PC and display panel
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/92 Angular and linear video display screen support adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/923 Tilting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 345/905 Display device with housing structure

Abstract

A relatively small transportable desktop computer/workstation with a display panel assembly (2) in combination with a microprocessor or controller (44) is made display screen position adjustable, in inclination angle, azimuth angle and elevation translation movements. The workstation can have a pen or stylus touch screen input function (36) added, so that a user or operator can write, draw and sketch directly onto the screen in a natural manner. The workstation can be placed on top of a desk or table providing an ergonomic man-machine interface for information communications between individual users via a communications network. A keyboard (7, 42), voice/speaker telephone (48), mouse or trackball input unit (46), and communications modem (42) may be added to the workstation. The flat panel display, pen input device and microprocessor can be combined into an assembly, which can be removed from the main body for portable mobile computing operation.

Claims

1. A portable desktop information device comprising:

a. a non-segmented flat panel display device assembly defining a roughly flat display screen and defining associated electronics;

b. an electrical control circuit located inside said flat panel display device assembly;

c. a support structure without spring mechanisms connected directly to said flat panel display device assembly, wherein said support structure has a adequate vertical dimensions for elevation adjustment of said flat panel display device assembly;

d. a passive base support structure that does not contain electronic components and is not clamped to a desk or table-like structure, which is connected to said support structure for physical support of elements (a)-(c).

2. A portable desktop information device comprising:

a. a non-segmented flat panel display device assembly defining a roughly flat display screen and also defining associated electronics;

b. an electrical control circuit connected to said flat panel display device assembly and located inside side said flat panel display assembly;

c. a support arm structure without spring mechanisms connected directly to said flat panel display device assembly at roughly the vertically orientated centerline of said display device assembly, wherein said support arm structure is adapted to elevation adjustment of said flat panel display device assembly; and

d. a passive base support structure that does not contain electric components and is not clamped to a desk or table-like structure, wherein said base support structure is connected to said support arm structure for physical support of elements (a)-(c).

3. A portable information device, as recited in claims 11 and 12, in which said flat panel display assembly is adapted to be easily removable from said support structure.

4. A portable information device, as recited in claim 11, in which said support structure and said flat panel display assembly is adapted for portrait to landscape position adjustment.

5. A portable information device, as recited in claims 11 and 12, in which said a passive base support structure has a roughly wedge shape.

6. A support stand for holding a portable desktop flat panel display assembly, said support stand comprising:

a. a column-like support structure adapted to attach to a portable flat panel display assembly at roughly the vertically orientated centerline of said portable flat panel display assembly, wherein said column-like support structure is adapted to elevation adjustment of said portable flat panel display assembly;

b. a tilting hinge attached to said column-like support structure for inclination orientation adjustments of said portable flat panel display assembly;

C. a passive base unit connected to roughly the bottom said column-like for physical support; and

d. said passive base unit is relatively small and adapted to be placed on the a desk or table-like structure, but said base unit does not contain electronic components and is not normally intended to be clamped to a desk or table-like structure.

7. A portable desktop information device, as recited in claim 11, in which said support structure is adapted to include a hinge for tilting said portable flat panel display device assembly without elevation adjustment.

8. A portable desktop information device, as recited in claim 12, in which said support arm structure is adapted to include a hinge for tilting said portable flat panel display device assembly without elevation adjustment.

9. A portable desktop information device, as recited in claim 11, in which said support structure includes an actuator assist part, wherein a user has the option to make position adjustment by hand.

10. A portable desktop information device, as recited in claim 12, in which said support arm structure includes an actuator assist part, wherein a user has the option to make position adjustment by hand.