Multiple screen computer monitor

• US 6,844,865 B2
• Filed: 09/04/2002
• Issued: 01/18/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Michael Stasko
• Original Assignee: Michael Stasko
• Inventors: Stasko, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Henry N.
• Application Number:
  US10/235,112
• Publication Number:
  US 20030001795A1
• Time in Patent Office: 867 Days
• Field of Search: 345/1.3, 345/905, 345/1.1, 345/2.1, 345/2.2, 348/787, 348/794, 348/839, 348/840, 348/836, 348/843, 361681-683, 361/724, 361/725, 361/727
• US Class Current: 345/1.3
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/048 adapted to forward-backward translation movement
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/18 with mechanism for moving the apparatus relatively to the stand
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/22 with approximately constant height, e.g. with constant length of column or of legs F16M11/42 takes precedence
• 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 345/905 Display device with housing structure

Abstract

A multiple screen computer monitor system comprising a plurality of monitors supported by a common base and connectable to a common CPU. One of the monitors is stationary on the base. The other two monitors are moveable from a storage position on the base to an operative position to the left and right, respectively, of the stationary monitor. Each of the moveable monitors has a rail transport system to transport the monitor from its storage position to its operative position. Another embodiment of the multiple screen computer monitor system includes two screens facing in the opposite direction to provide visual access for two different viewers sitting across the table from each other.

Claims

1. A multiple screen computer monitor system comprising:

at least two monitor housings;

each monitor housing having two monitors facing in opposite directions along a common longitudinal axis to allow viewing by multiple users;

the monitor housings including at least one fixed monitor housing and at least one movable monitor housing; and

a rail transport system in communication with the movable monitor housing to transport the movable monitor housing to the sides of the fixed monitor housing such that the movable monitor housing is adjacent to the sides of the fixed monitor housing.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the monitors are connectable to a common CPU.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the CPU is a separate tower unit.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the CPU is housed within a base attached to the fixed monitor housing.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the monitors are connected in a manner that maintains the connection to the CPU.

6. The system of claim 1, configured to permit the users to view and interact with the same information and programs.

7. The system of claim 1, configured to permit the users to view and interact with different information and programs.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the fixed monitor housing and moveable monitor housing are attached together when the moveable monitor housing is moved adjacent to the sides of the fixed monitor housing.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the fixed monitor and at least one of the moveable monitors receive and display information.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the information is programs or other applications.

11. A multiple screen computer monitor system comprising:

a first monitor housing for housing monitors facing in opposite directions along a common longitudinal axis to allow veiwing by mulitple users, having a front, a back, and sides;

at least one second monitor housing for housing monitors facing in opposite directions along a common longitudinal axis to allow viewing by multiple users, each of the second monitor housings movable from a storage position to an operative position and connectable to a CPU common to the monitor in the first monitor housing, wherein each of the second monitor housing is behind the first monitor housing while in the storage position; and

a rail transport system in communication with the second monitor housing to transport the second monitor housing to the sides of the first monitor housing such that the second monitor housing are adjacent to the sides of the first monitor housing.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the first monitor housing has a front profile, and wherein each of the second monitor housings is completely behind the first monitor housing so that the only the front profile of the first monitor housing is viewed by a user while the second monitor housings are in the storage position.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the rail transport system further comprising a first rail system for moving one of the second monitor housings from the storage position to the operative position.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein a first rail system includes a transfer block for transferring one of the second monitor housings from the base to the operative position.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the rail transport system further comprising a second rail system for moving another of the second monitor housings from the storage position to the operative position.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein a first rail system includes a transfer block for transferring the another of the second monitor housings from the base to the operative position.

17. A multiple screen computer system comprising:

a first monitor housing for monitors facing in opposite directions along a common longitudinal axis to allow viewing by multiple users, having a front, a back, and sides;

at least one second monitor housing for housing monitors facing in opposite directions along a common longitudinal axis to allow viewing by multiple users, said second monitor housing movable from a storage position to an operative position and connectable to a CPU common to the monitors in the first in the first monitor housing, wherein said second monitor housing is behind the first monitor housing while in the storage position; and

a rail transport system in communication with said second monitor housing to transport said second monitor housing to the sides of said first monitor housing such that the second monitor housing is adjacent to the sides of said first monitor housing.

18. A multiple screen computer system comprising:

a first monitor housing for housing monitors facing in opposite directions along a common longitudinal axis to allow viewing by multiple users, having a front, a back, and sides, and at least one second monitor housing for housing monitors facing in opposite directions along a common longitudinal axis to allow viewing by multiple users, the monitors in the first monitor housing and the monitors in the second monitor housing connectable to a common CPU; and

means for moving the second monitor housing from a storage position to an operative position, wherein each of said second monitor housings is behind the first monitor housing while in the storage position, said moving means in communication with said second monitor housing to transport said second monitor housing to the sides of said first monitor housing such that the second monitor housing is adjacent to the sides of said first monitor housing.

19. A multiple screen computer system comprising

a plurality of monitor housings for housing monitors facing in opposing directions along a common longitudinal axis to allow viewing by multiple users, said monitor housings having at least one fixed monitor housing and at least one movable monitor housing such that said monitors in said monitor housings are connectable to a common CPU;

and

a rail transport system in communication with said movable monitor housing to transport said movable monitor housing to the sides of said fixed monitor housing such that the movable monitor housing is adjacent to the sides of said fixed monitor housing.