Video gateway having movable screens
First Claim
1. A display screen apparatus comprising:
- a vertical support beam having a length;
an elongated arm;
a display screen coupled to the elongated arm, wherein the display screen displays visual images;
sliding means for slidably coupling the first end of the elongated arm to the vertical support beam so that the elongated arm can slide along the length of the vertical support beam.a jack screw coupled to the vertical support beam;
a linkage slidably coupling the first end of the elongated arm to the jack screw so that when the jack screw is turned in a first rotational direction the linkage and the elongated arm move in a first vertical direction and when the jack screw is turned in a direction opposite from the first rotational direction the linkage and the elongated arm move in a direction opposite from the first vertical direction;
a cable coupled between a connection point on the elongated arm and an overhead point, wherein the overhead point is above the elongated arm; and
a pivoting joint rotatably coupling the first end of the elongated arm to the vertical support beam so that as the elongated arm is moved in a vertical direction it swings about the pivot point as a result of the connection point'"'"'s coupling to the cable.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Multiple large screens on movable arms form a gateway beneath which viewers may walk. The screens slide up or down, i.e., toward or away from, the viewers walking below. The screens also pivot in a circular arc to sweep toward, or away from, the viewers. In one embodiment a number of vertical support beams are employed. Elongated arms are attached to the support beams at one end so that the arms can each be rotated about their attached ends. The arms also slide up and down the length of the support beams. Projection screens are attached to the arms so that the screens move as the arms move. In a more specific embodiment each screen is provided with a rear-projection projector for displaying images onto the screens. A computer is used to control the sliding and rotating of the support beams so that preprogrammed patterns can be executed. A computer is also used to control the projectors so that coordinated patterns of images are displayed on the screens.
45 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A display screen apparatus comprising:
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a vertical support beam having a length; an elongated arm; a display screen coupled to the elongated arm, wherein the display screen displays visual images; sliding means for slidably coupling the first end of the elongated arm to the vertical support beam so that the elongated arm can slide along the length of the vertical support beam. a jack screw coupled to the vertical support beam; a linkage slidably coupling the first end of the elongated arm to the jack screw so that when the jack screw is turned in a first rotational direction the linkage and the elongated arm move in a first vertical direction and when the jack screw is turned in a direction opposite from the first rotational direction the linkage and the elongated arm move in a direction opposite from the first vertical direction; a cable coupled between a connection point on the elongated arm and an overhead point, wherein the overhead point is above the elongated arm; and a pivoting joint rotatably coupling the first end of the elongated arm to the vertical support beam so that as the elongated arm is moved in a vertical direction it swings about the pivot point as a result of the connection point'"'"'s coupling to the cable. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A display screen apparatus comprising:
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a vertical support beam having a length; an elongated arm; a display screen coupled to the elongated arm, wherein the display screen displays visual images; rotation means for rotatably coupling the elongated arm to the vertical support beam so that the elongated arm is rotatable about a predetermined single point at an end of the elongated arm; and sliding means for slidably coupling the elongated arm to the vertical support beam at the predetermined single point so that the elongated arm can slide along the length of the vertical support beam in a straight path. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A display screen apparatus comprising:
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a vertical support beam having a length; an elongated arm; a display screen coupled to the elongated arm, wherein the display screen displays visual images; rotation means for rotatably coupling the elongated arm to the vertical support beam so that the elongated arm is rotatable about a predetermined single point at an end of the elongated arm; sliding means for slidably coupling the elongated arm to the vertical support beam at the predetermined single point so that the elongated arm can slide along the length of the vertical support beam in a straight path, the sliding means comprising; a jack screw coupled to the vertical support beam; and a linkage slidably coupling the first end of the elongated arm to the jack screw so that when the jack screw is turned in a first rotational direction the linkage and the elongated arm move in a first vertical direction and when the jack screw is turned in a direction opposite from the first rotational direction the linkage and the elongated arm move in a direction opposite from the first vertical direction; the display screen apparatus further comprising; a cable coupled between a connection point on the elongated arm and an overhead point, wherein the overhead point is above the elongated arm so that as the elongated arm is moved in a vertical direction it swings about the pivot point as a result of the connection point'"'"'s coupling to the cable; a motor coupled to the jack screw for turning the jack screw, wherein the motor is responsive to control signals for controlling the stopping, starting, speed and direction of the motor; a control system comprising; a memory including preprogrammed instructions; a processor coupled to the memory for executing the preprogrammed instructions; and an interface coupled to the processor for s ending control signals from the processor to the motor according to the preprogrammed instructions.
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Specification