Computer controlled display device

• US 20040218352A1
• Filed: 12/19/2003
• Published: 11/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Andre, Bartley K., Stringer, Christopher, Hillman, Michael D., McBroom, Daniel L., Tsai, Frank, McBroom, Michael D., Sudderth, Brian T., Riccio, Daniel, Mann, Theo
• Granted Patent: US 7,142,415 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/683
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/10 around a horizontal axis F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/14 with ball-joint ball-jointed hinges F16C11/06 ; adjustable mountings employing universal joints for lighting devices F21V21/26 - F21V21/30
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2014 around a vertical axis F16M11/2035 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2078 with ball-joint ball-jointed hinges F16C11/06
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/40 by means of coilable or bendable legs or spiral shaped legs
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/022 by friction
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/044 for balancing rotational movement of the undercarriage
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/065 with a special structure, e.g. reinforced or adapted for space reduction
• 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 248/919 Adjustably orientable video screen support

Abstract

The present invention is a computer controlled display device. In one embodiment, the display device includes a flat panel display having an input for receiving display data. Additionally, a moveable assembly may be coupled to the display. The moveable assembly may provide at least three degrees of freedom of movement for the flat panel display device. Additionally, the moveable assembly may have a cross-sectional area, which is substantially less than a cross-sectional area of a display structure of the flat panel display.

Claims

1. A computer controlled display device, comprising:

a flat panel display having an input for receiving display data; and

a moveable assembly coupled to said display, said moveable assembly providing at least three degrees of freedom of movement for said flat panel display device and having a cross-sectional area which is substantially less than a cross-sectional area of a display structure of said flat panel display, wherein said moveable assembly comprises a plurality of stacked ball-and-clamp assemblies, wherein each ball-and-clamp assembly includes a first ball, a second ball, and a clamp that couples said first ball with said second ball.

2. The computer controlled display device of claim 1, further comprising a tension element disposed within said moveable assembly and operatively coupled with an end of said moveable assembly, said tension device suspending movement of said moveable assembly when a tension force is applied to said tension element and permitting said movement when said tension force is lessened.

3. The computer controlled display device of claim 2, wherein said clamp comprises a first cup to receive said first ball, at least one first jaw to grip said first ball within said first cup, a second cup to receive said second ball, and at least one second jaw to grip said second ball within said second cup.

4. The computer controlled display device of claim 3, wherein said tension element comprises a tension cable to clench said first jaw and said second jaw when said tension force is applied to said tension cable, and to release said first jaw and said second jaw when said tension force is lessened on said tension cable.

5. The computer controlled display device of claim 1, wherein one of a data cable, a power cable and a tension cable is disposed within said moveable assembly.

6. The computer controlled display device of claim 1, wherein said ball-and-clamp assembly is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of a metal, a metal alloy, a ceramic, a plastic, and combinations thereof.

7. The computer controlled display device of claim 1, further comprising a shroud about said moveable assembly.

8. A computer controlled display system, comprising:

a flat panel display having a display surface and an input for receiving display data to be displayed on said display surface;

a moveable assembly coupled mechanically to said flat panel display, said moveable assembly having a cross-sectional area which is substantially less than an area of said display surface, said moveable assembly being moveable to allow said flat panel display to be selectively positioned in space relative to a user of said computer controlled display system, wherein said moveable assembly comprises a plurality of stacked ball-and-clamp assemblies, wherein each ball-and-clamp assembly includes a first ball, a second ball, and a clamp that couples said first ball with said second ball; and

a base coupled mechanically to said moveable assembly and to said flat panel display through said moveable assembly, said base housing computer components comprising a microprocessor, a memory, a bus, an I/O (input/output) controller, and an I/O port, wherein said microprocessor is coupled to said input of said flat panel display.

9. The computer controlled display system of claim 8, further comprising a tension element disposed within said moveable assembly and operatively coupled with an end of said moveable assembly, said tension device suspending movement of said moveable assembly when a tension force is applied to said tension element and permitting said movement when said tension force is lessened.

10. The computer controlled display system of claim 9, wherein said clamp comprises a first cup to receive said first ball, at least one first jaw to grip said first ball within said first cup, a second cup to receive said second ball, and at least one second jaw to grip said second ball within said second cup.

11. The computer controlled display system of claim 10, wherein said tension element comprises a tension cable to clench said first jaw and said second jaw when said tension force is applied to said tension cable, and to release said first jaw and said second jaw when said tension force is lessened on said tension cable.

12. The computer controlled display system of claim 8, wherein one of a data cable, a power cable and a tension cable is disposed within said moveable assembly.

13. The computer controlled display system of claim 8, wherein said ball-and-clamp assembly is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of a metal, a metal alloy, a ceramic, a plastic, and combinations thereof.

14. The computer controlled display system of claim 8, further comprising a shroud about said moveable assembly.

15. A computer controlled display device, comprising:

a flat panel display having an input for receiving display data; and

a moveable assembly coupled to said display, said moveable assembly providing at least three degrees of freedom of movement for said flat panel display device and having a cross-sectional area which is substantially less than a cross-sectional area of a display structure of said flat panel display, wherein said moveable assembly comprises a plurality of stacked ball-and-clamp assemblies, wherein each ball-and-clamp assembly includes a first ball, a second ball, and a coupling means for coupling said first ball with said second ball.

16. The computer controlled display device of claim 15, further comprising an actuation means disposed within said moveable assembly and operatively coupled with an end of said moveable assembly, said actuation means for suspending movement of said moveable assembly when a force is applied to said actuation means and permitting said movement when said force is lessened.

17. The computer controlled display device of claim 15, wherein one of a data cable and a power cable is disposed within said moveable assembly.

18. The computer controlled display device of claim 15, wherein said ball-and-clamp assembly is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of a metal, a metal alloy, a ceramic, a plastic, and combinations thereof.

19. The computer controlled display device of claim 15, further comprising a shroud about said moveable assembly.