Workspace display

• US 6,209,266 B1
• Filed: 11/12/1999
• Issued: 04/03/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc. (Steelcase Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc. (Steelcase Incorporated)
• Inventors: Branc, Joseph R., Stanfield, Joel D., Miller, William L., Baloga, Mark A., Niewiadomski, Mitchell
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedman, Carl D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILKENS, KEVIN DOUGLAS
• Application Number:
  US09/438,591
• Time in Patent Office: 508 Days
• Field of Search: 52/27, 52/36.1, 52/239, 359/443, 359/460
• US Class Current: 52/36.1
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0071 Booth like
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 15/0068 Modular articulated structures, e.g. stands, and articulation means therefor

Abstract

A workspace display comprises a sidewall partition defining a workspace with a portal opening and a door partition to selectively close the portal. A first display screen is disposed on the interior side of the door partition for individual viewing from inside the workspace. A second display screen is disposed exterior of the sidewall partition and positioned a spaced apart distance in general alignment therewith, without substantial interference with user ingress and egress through the portal opening. A video device is positioned overhead in optical communication with the first display screen when the door partition is in its fully closed position to support individual activities. The video device is in optical communication through the portal opening with the second display screen when the door partition is in its fully open position to support group activities. An image on the second display screen can be viewed on either the interior or exterior screen surfaces. The first display screen and the interior and exterior screen surfaces of the second display screen form dry erasable markerboards.

Claims

1. A portable workspace display for open plan spaces and the like, comprising:

a sidewall partition configured to define a three-sided workspace having an interior side, an exterior side, a portal opening shaped to permit user ingress and egress therethrough, and a display opening disposed at a height that is viewable by an adult user;

a two-sided projection display positioned in said display opening and generally closing the same;

said projection display having an interior screen facing the interior side of said sidewall partition and reflecting projected images inwardly therefrom for viewing from the interior side of said sidewall partition, and an exterior screen facing the exterior side of said sidewall partition and transmitting projected images outwardly therethrough for viewing from the exterior side of said sidewall partition;

a display projector mounted overhead adjacent said sidewall partition, and adapted to project imaged therefrom onto said interior screen to support individual activities, and to project images therefrom onto said exterior screen to support group activities, said display projector and said two-side projection display configured to simultaneously produce images on said interior screen surface and on said exterior screen surface.

2. A workspace display as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said display projector is supported on said sidewall partition.

3. A workspace display as set forth in claim 2, wherein:

projected images are reversed by said display projector for viewing on said exterior screen.

4. A portable workspace display for open plan spaces and the like, comprising:

a rear sidewall;

a front sidewall spaced apart from said rear sidewall and configured to define a two-sided workspace having an interior and an exterior, and having a display opening disposed at a height that is viewable by an adult user;

said front and rear sidewalls configured to be supported free-standing on a floor surface and having a height that provides a gap between the sidewalls and a ceiling;

a two-sided projection display positioned in said display opening and generally closing the same;

said projection display having an interior screen facing the interior side of said rear sidewall partition and reflecting projected images inwardly therefrom for viewing from the interior side of said rear sidewall partition, and an exterior screen facing the exterior side of said rear sidewall partition and transmitting projected images outwardly therethrough for viewing from the exterior side of said rear sidewall partition;

a display projector mounted overhead adjacent said workspace, and adapted to project images therefrom onto said interior screen to support individual activities, and to project images therefrom onto said exterior screen to support group activities, said display projector and said two-sided projection display configured to simultaneously produce images on said interior screen surface and on said exterior screen surface.

5. A workspace display as set forth in claim 4, wherein:

said front and rear sidewalls are parallel to one another, and including;

a third sidewall extending between said front and rear sidewalls to form a three-sided workspace.

6. A workspace display as set forth in claim 4, wherein:

said workspace includes a generally horizontal worksurface to facilitate tasks conducted by a seated user.

7. A workspace display as set forth in claim 4, wherein:

said display projector is supported on said rear sidewall partition.

8. A workspace display as set forth in claim 7, wherein:

projected images are reversed by said display projector for viewing on said exterior screen.

9. A workspace display as set forth in claim 8, further comprising:

a computer, wherein said projector is operatively connected to said computer for projecting images generated by said computer.

10. A portable workspace display for open plan spaces and the like, comprising:

a rear sidewall;

a front sidewall spaced apart from said rear sidewall and configured to define a two-sided workspace having an interior and an exterior, and having a display opening disposed at a height that is viewable by an adult user;

said front and rear sidewalls configured to be supported free-standing on a floor surface and having a height that provides a gap between the sidewalls and a ceiling;

a two-sided projection display positioned in said display opening and generally closing the same;

said projection display having an interior screen facing the interior side of said rear sidewall partition and reflecting projected images inwardly therefrom for viewing from the interior side of said rear sidewall partition, and an exterior screen facing the exterior side of said rear sidewall partition and transmitting projected images outwardly therethrough for viewing from the exterior side of said rear sidewall partition;

a video device mounted overhead adjacent said workspace, and in optical communication with said interior screen, said video device and said two-sided projection display configured to simultaneously produce images on said interior screen surface and on said exterior screen surface.

11. A workspace display as set forth in claim 10, wherein:

said video device is a display projector supported directly adjacent said rear sidewall partition.

12. A workspace display as set forth in claim 11, wherein:

projected images are reversed by said display projector for viewing on said exterior screen.

13. A workspace display as set forth in claim 12, further comprising:

a computer, wherein said projector is operatively connected to said computer for projecting images generated by said computer.

14. A reconfigurable display system, comprising:

a plurality of portable workspaces, each having at least one generally vertical sidewall configured to be supported free-standing on a floor surface and having a height that provides a gap between the sidewall and a ceiling, said sidewall having an interior side and an exterior side, and having a display opening disposed at a height that is viewable by an adult user;

each portable workspace including;

a two-sided display screen constructed to simultaneously reflect and transmit therethrough incident light, said two-sided display screen positioned in said display opening and generally closing the same, said two-sided display screen having interior and exterior screen surfaces;

a video device projecting light onto said interior screen surface and simultaneously generating images on said interior and exterior screen surfaces; and

said workspaces positioned with said exterior sides of said vertical sidewalls facing a common area to facilitate group activities upon generation of images on at least one of said exterior screen surfaces.

15. A reconfigurable display system, comprising:

a plurality of portable workspaces, each having at least one generally vertical sidewall configured to be supported free-standing on a floor surface and having a height that provides a gap between the sidewall and a ceiling, said sidewall having an interior side and an exterior side, and having a display opening disposed at a height that is viewable by an adult user;

each portable workspace including;

a two-sided display screen positioned in said display opening and generally closing the same,

said two-sided display screen having interior and exterior screen surfaces;

a video device generating images on said interior and exterior screen surfaces;

said workspaces positioned with said exterior sides of said vertical sidewalls facing a common area to facilitate group activities upon generation of images on at least one of said exterior screen surfaces; and

said video device and said two-sided display screen are configured to simultaneously produce images on said interior screen surface and on said exterior screen surface.

16. The display system set forth in claim 15, wherein:

said video device comprises a projector.

17. The display system set forth in claim 16, wherein:

said vertical sidewall of each portable workspace comprises a front sidewall, each portable workspace including;

a rear sidewall spaced-apart from said front sidewall, each said projector mounted on each said rear sidewall in an overhead position.

18. The display system set forth in claim 17, including:

a third sidewall extending between said front and rear sidewalls to form a three-sided workspace.