System and method for adjusting a screen

• US 20060007191A1
• Filed: 06/03/2004
• Published: 01/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions Holdings Corporation (Toshiba Corporation)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Thomas, Jeff D., Myers, Robert A., Parsons, Robert D., Chi, Hye S.
• Application Number:
  US10/859,659
• Publication Number:
  US 20060007191A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/184
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/1424 Electronic display devices
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/1428 Adaptations for calculators, memory aids or reading aids
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/10 around a horizontal axis F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/18 with mechanism for moving the apparatus relatively to the stand
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/02 for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
• 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

A display system is disclosed. The display system includes a base, a screen movably coupled to the base, and a control unit coupled to the screen. The control unit adjusts the screen to a position based on at least one condition. The at least one condition can be an attribute such as a height or an eye position. According to the system and method disclosed herein, the display system increases the convenience of a user by automatically adjusting the screen to an optimal position for the user. As a result, improved readability of the screen is achieved while simplifying the use of the display system.

Claims

1. A display system comprising:

a base;

a screen movably coupled to the base; and

a control unit coupled to the screen, wherein the control unit adjusts the screen to a position based on at least one condition.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one condition comprises at least one attribute.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the at least one attribute comprises at least one of a height, an eye position, and any combination thereof.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the screen can be adjusted to track an object.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the object can be a user, a customer, or a an employee.

6. The system of claim 1 further comprising a sensor coupled to the control unit, wherein the sensor detects the at least one condition and transmits the at least one condition to the control unit.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the sensor detects the presence of an object.

8. The system of claim 6 wherein the sensor detects a mass density of an object.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the mass density of the object is utilized to determine a height.

10. The system of claim 6 wherein the sensor detects an eye location of the user.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the eye location is utilized to determine a height.

12. The system of claim 6 wherein the sensor can be at least one of an optical sensor, a proximity sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a camera, and any combination thereof.

13. The system of claim 1 further comprising a memory unit adapted to be coupled to the control unit, wherein the memory unit stores the at least one condition and transmits the at least one condition to the control unit.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the memory unit is a card.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein the screen is adjusted from the position to a second position when the display system is not in use.

16. The system of claim 1 wherein the screen can be locked into the position when the display system is not in use.

17. The system of claim 1 wherein the display system is adapted to mount onto a mobile unit.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the mobile unit is a cart.

19. The system of claim 17 wherein the base is the mobile unit.

20. The system of claim 1 wherein the control unit adjusts the screen by rotating the screen.

21. The system of claim 1 wherein the control unit adjusts the screen by changing the angle of the screen.

22. The system of claim 1 wherein the control unit comprises:

a processor;

a motor coupled to the processor; and

gears coupled to the motor for adjusting the screen.

23. A display system comprising:

a base;

a screen movably coupled to the base;

a control unit coupled to the screen; and

a sensor coupled to the control unit, wherein the sensor detects at least one user attribute and transmits the at least one user attribute to the control unit, and wherein the control unit adjusts the screen to a position based on the at least one user attribute.

24. The system of claim 23 wherein the at least one user attribute comprises at least one of a height, an eye position, and any combination thereof.

25. A method for controlling a display system, the display system including a base and a screen, the method comprising (a) adjusting the screen to a position based on at least one condition.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein the adjusting step (a) is performed utilizing a sensor.

27. The method of claim 25 further comprising (b) storing the position.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein the storing step (b) is performed utilizing a memory card.

29. The method of claim 25 further comprising (b) adjusting the screen to a default position when the system is not in use.

30. The method of claim 25 further comprising (b) locking the screen in the position.

31. A computer readable medium containing program instructions for controlling a display system, the display system including a base and a screen, the program instructions which when executed by a computer system cause the computer system to execute a method comprising (a) adjusting the screen to a position based on at least one condition.

32. The computer readable medium of claim 31 wherein the adjusting step (a) is performed by utilizing a sensor.

33. The computer readable medium of claim 31 further comprising program instructions for (b) storing the position.

34. The computer readable medium of claim 33 wherein the storing step (b) is performed by utilizing a memory card.

35. The computer readable medium of claim 31 further comprising program instructions for (b) adjusting the screen to a default position when the system is not in use.

36. The computer readable medium of claim 31 further comprising program instructions for (b) locking the screen in the position.