Multiple screen computer monitor

• US 20030001795A1
• Filed: 09/04/2002
• Published: 01/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michael Stasko
• Original Assignee: Michael Stasko
• Inventors: Stasko, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 6,844,865 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/1.1
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/048 adapted to forward-backward translation movement
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/18 with mechanism for moving the apparatus relatively to the stand
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/22 with approximately constant height, e.g. with constant length of column or of legs F16M11/42 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/08 Foot or support base
• CPC Class Codes: 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 345/905 Display device with housing structure

Abstract

A multiple screen computer monitor system comprising a plurality of monitors supported by a common base and connectable to a common CPU. One of the monitors is stationary on the base. The other two monitors are moveable from a storage position on the base to an operative position to the left and right, respectively, of the stationary monitor. Each of the moveable monitors has a rail transport system to transport the monitor from its storage position to its operative position. Another embodiment of the multiple screen computer monitor system includes two screens facing in the opposite direction to provide visual access for two different viewers sitting across the table from each other.

Claims

1. A multiple screen computer monitor system comprising:

at least two monitors facing in opposite directions along a common longitudinal axis to allow viewing by multiple users, the monitors including at least one fixed monitor and at least one movable monitor and

a rail transport system in communication with the movable monitor to transport the movable monitor to the sides of the fixed monitor such that the movable monitor is adjacent to the sides of the fixed monitor.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the monitors are connectable to a common CPU.

3. The system of claim 1, configured to permit the users to view and interact with the same information and programs.

4. The system of claim 1, configured to permit the users to view and interact with different information and programs.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the fixed monitor and moveable monitor are attached together when the moveable monitor is moved adjacent to the sides of the fixed monitor.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein the CPU is a separate tower unit.

7. The system of claim 2, wherein the CPU is a housed within a base attached to the fixed monitor.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the fixed monitor and at least one of the moveable monitors can receive and display information.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the information is programs or other applications.

10. The system of claim 2, wherein the monitors are connected in a manner that maintains the connection to the CPU.

11. A multiple screen computer monitor system comprising:

a first monitor having a front, a back, and sides,

at least one second monitor, each of the second monitors movable from a storage position to an operative position and connectable to a CPU common to the first monitor, wherein each of the second monitors is behind the first monitor while in the storage position; and

a rail transport system in communication with the second monitors to transport the second monitors to the sides of the first monitor such that the second monitors are adjacent to the sides of the first monitor.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the first monitor has a front profile, and wherein each of the second monitors is completely behind the first monitor so that only the front profile of the first monitor is viewed by a user while the second monitors are in the storage position.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the rail transport system further comprising a first rail system for moving one of the second monitors from the storage position to the operative position.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the first rail system includes a transfer block for transferring one of the second monitors from the base to the operative position.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the rail transport system further comprising a second rail system for moving another of the second monitors from the storage position to the operative position.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the first rail system includes a transfer block for transferring the another of the second monitors from the base to the operative position.

17. A multiple screen computer monitor system comprising:

at least two monitors facing in opposite directions away from each other and along a common longitudinal axis, the monitors connectable to a common CPU for providing visual access for at least two separate users.