Computer controlled display device

• US 20040257755A1
• Filed: 12/19/2003
• Published: 12/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Computer Incorporated (Apple Inc.)
• Inventors: Tsai, Frank R., Andre, Bartley K., Kim, Sung, Stringer, Christopher, Hillman, Michael D., McBroom, Daniel L., McBroom, Michael D., Sudderth, Brian T., Riccio, Daniel, Jue, Cliff
• Granted Patent: US 7,035,092 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

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;

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 rotational joint assemblies, wherein each rotational joint assembly provides at least one axis of rotation.

2. The computer controlled display device of claim 1, comprising a first rotational joint assembly providing a first axis of rotation, said first rotational joint assembly comprising:

a first member having a first end; and

a second member rotatably coupled to said first member at said first end, said second member being capable of rotating about said first axis with respect to said first member.

3. The computer controlled display device of claim 2, comprising a second rotational joint assembly providing a second axis of rotation, said second rotational joint assembly comprising a third member rotatably coupled to said first member at a second end of said first member, said third member being capable of rotating about said second axis of rotation with respect to said first member.

4. The computer controlled display device of claim 3, further comprising an actuation device disposed within said moveable assembly and operatively coupled with an end of said moveable assembly, said actuation device suspending movement of said moveable assembly when a force is applied to said actuation device and permitting said movement when said force is lessened.

5. The computer controlled display device of claim 4, wherein said actuation device includes a tension cable having a proximal end coupled with an actuator assembly and a distal end coupled with a base.

6. The computer controlled display device of claim 3, wherein said first rotational joint assembly is angled with respect to said second rotational joint assembly.

7. The computer controlled display device of claim 3, wherein said first axis of rotation is angled with respect to said second axis of rotation.

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

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

10. 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 rotational joint assemblies, wherein a rotational joint assembly of said stacked rotational joint assemblies provides at least one axis of rotation; 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.

11. The computer controlled display system of claim 10, comprising a first rotational joint assembly providing a first axis of rotation, said first rotational joint assembly comprising:

a first member having a first end; and

a second member rotatably coupled to said first member at said first end, said second member being capable of rotating about said first axis with respect to said first member.

12. The computer controlled display system of claim 11, comprising a second rotational joint assembly providing a second axis of rotation, said second rotational joint assembly comprising a third member rotatably coupled to said first member at a second end of said first member, said third member being capable of rotating about said second axis of rotation with respect to said first member.

13. The computer controlled display system of claim 12, further comprising an actuation device disposed within said moveable assembly and operatively coupled with an end of said moveable assembly, said actuation device suspending movement of said moveable assembly when a force is applied to said actuation device and permitting said movement when said force is lessened.

14. The computer controlled display system of claim 13, wherein said actuation device includes a tension cable having a proximal end coupled with an actuator assembly and a distal end coupled with a base.

15. The computer controlled display system of claim 12, wherein said first rotational joint assembly is angled with respect to said second rotational joint assembly.

16. The computer controlled display system of claim 12, wherein said first axis of rotation is angled with respect to said second axis of rotation.

17. The computer controlled display system of claim 10 wherein disposed within said moveable assembly is one of a data cable, a power cable, and a tension mechanism.

18. The computer controlled display system of claim 10 wherein said rotational joint 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. A computer controlled display device, comprising:

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

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-socket assemblies, wherein a ball-and-socket assembly includes a substantially spherical socket, said socket having a cavity defining an inner surface of said socket, and a substantially spherical ball within said cavity; and

a clutch device within said ball-and-socket assembly, said clutch device comprising a ball-bearing and a cam, said cam having a lobe, such that a rotation of said cam causes said cam lobe to force said ball-bearing against said inner surface of said socket, such that movement of said ball within said cavity is suspended.

20. The computer controlled display device of claim 19, further comprising an actuation device disposed within said moveable assembly, said actuation device suspending movement of said moveable assembly when a force is applied by said actuation device and permitting said movement when said force is lessened.

21. The computer controlled display device of claim 20, wherein said actuation device includes an actuation cable within said ball-and-socket assembly, said actuation cable coupled to said cam, said actuation cable to rotate said cam when said actuation cable is rotated.

22. The computer controlled display device of claim 20, wherein said force is torque.

23. The computer controlled display device of claim 21, wherein said rotation of said actuation cable is a 90 degree rotation.

24. The computer controlled display device of claim 19, wherein said ball-and-socket assembly is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of a metal, a metal alloy, a ceramic, a plastic, and combinations thereof.

25. The computer controlled display device of claim 24, wherein said ball-and-socket assembly is comprised of the same material as said clutch device.

26. The computer controlled display device of claim 20, wherein disposed within said moveable assembly is one of a data cable, a power cable, and an actuation cable.

27. The computer controlled display device of claim 21, further comprising a rotary actuator coupled to said actuation cable.

28. 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, said moveable assembly including a plurality of stacked ball-and-socket assemblies, wherein a ball-and-socket assembly includes a substantially spherical socket, said socket having a cavity defining an inner surface of said socket, and a substantially spherical ball within said cavity;

a clutch device within said ball-and-socket assembly, said clutch device comprising a ball-bearing and a cam, said cam having a lobe, such that a rotation of said cam causes said cam lobe to force said ball-bearing against said inner surface of said socket, such that movement of said ball within said cavity is suspended; 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.

29. The computer controlled display system of claim 28, further comprising an actuation device disposed within said moveable assembly, said actuation device suspending movement of said moveable assembly when a force is applied by said actuation device and permitting said movement when said force is lessened.

30. The computer controlled display system of claim 29, wherein said actuation device includes an actuation cable within said ball-and-socket assembly, said actuation cable coupled to said cam, said actuation cable to rotate said cam when said actuation cable is rotated.

31. The computer controlled display system of claim 29, wherein said force is torque.

32. The computer controlled display system of claim 30, wherein said rotation of said actuation cable is a 90 degree rotation.

33. The computer controlled display system of claim 28, wherein said ball-and-socket assembly is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of a metal, a metal alloy, a ceramic, a plastic, and combinations thereof.

34. The computer controlled display system of claim 33, wherein said ball-and-socket assembly is comprised of the same material as said clutch device.

35. The computer controlled display system of claim 29, wherein disposed within said moveable assembly is one of a data cable, a power cable, and an actuation cable.

36. The computer controlled display system of claim 30, further comprising a rotary actuator coupled to said actuation cable at said base.

37. 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 single-axis rotational joint assemblies.

38. The computer controlled display device of claim 37, wherein a first single-axis rotational joint assembly comprises:

a substantially spherical ball having a first bore; and

a first sleeve, said first sleeve being substantially cylindrical and being rotatably coupled to said ball at said first bore, said first sleeve being capable of rotating about a first single axis with respect to said ball.

39. The computer controlled display device of claim 38, wherein a second single-axis rotational joint assembly comprises:

a first hemisphere of said ball; and

a second hemisphere of said ball, said second hemisphere being rotatably coupled to said first hemisphere.

40. The computer controlled display device of claim 37, wherein a single-axis rotational joint assembly is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of a metal, a metal alloy, a ceramic, a plastic, and combinations thereof.

41. The computer controlled display device of claim 38 further comprising a second sleeve, said second sleeve being substantially cylindrical and being rotatably coupled to said ball at a second bore of said ball, said second sleeve being capable of rotating about a second single axis with respect to said ball.

42. The computer controlled display device of claim 37, further comprising a tension device 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 force is applied to said tension device and permitting said movement when said force is lessened.

43. The computer controlled display device of claim 42 wherein said tension device is a cable having a proximal end coupled with an actuator assembly and a distal end coupled with a base.

44. The computer controlled display device of claim 37 wherein a first single-axis rotational joint assembly is angled with respect to a second single-axis rotational joint assembly.

45. The computer controlled display device of claim 37 wherein disposed within said moveable assembly is one of a data cable, a power cable, and a tension mechanism.

46. 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 single-axis rotational joint assemblies; 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.

47. The computer controlled display system of claim 46, wherein a first single-axis rotational joint assembly comprises:

a substantially spherical ball having a first bore; and

a first sleeve, said first sleeve being substantially cylindrical and being rotatably coupled to said ball at said first bore, said first sleeve being capable of rotating about a first single axis with respect to said ball.

48. The computer controlled display system of claim 47, wherein a second single-axis rotational joint assembly comprises:

a first hemisphere of said ball; and

a second hemisphere of said ball, said second hemisphere being rotatably coupled to said first hemisphere.

49. The computer controlled display system of claim 46, wherein a single-axis rotational joint assembly is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of a metal, a metal alloy, a ceramic, a plastic, and combinations thereof.

50. The computer controlled display system of claim 47 further comprising a second sleeve, said second sleeve being substantially cylindrical and being rotatably coupled to said ball at a second bore of said ball, said second sleeve being capable of rotating about a second single axis with respect to said ball.

51. The computer controlled display system of claim 46, further comprising a tension device 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 force is applied to said tension device and permitting said movement when said force is lessened.

52. The computer controlled display system of claim 51 wherein said tension device is a cable having a proximal end coupled with an actuator assembly and a distal end coupled with a base.

53. The computer controlled display system of claim 46 wherein a first single-axis rotational joint assembly is angled with respect to a second single-axis rotational joint assembly.

54. The computer controlled display system of claim 46 wherein disposed within said moveable assembly is one of a data cable, a power cable, and a tension mechanism.