Automated multi-task window assembly

• US 7,180,489 B2
• Filed: 03/26/2003
• Issued: 02/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Andersen Corporation
• Original Assignee: Andersen Corporation
• Inventors: Libby, James B., Williams, Rodney K., Lightfoot, Anthony J., Tan, Alex W. K., Pena A, Oscar E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Jimmy H.
• Application Number:
  US10/397,084
• Publication Number:
  US 20040056829A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,427 Days
• Field of Search: 345/87, 345/905, 348/794, 407/89, 49/63, 495/01, 491/30
• US Class Current: 345/87
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 7/28 Other arrangements on doors or windows, e.g. door-plates, windows adapted to carry plants, hooks for window cleaners edge protecting devices for door leaves E06B3/88; special glazing; emergency glazing; double glazing E06B3/66
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133 Constructional arrangements; Operation of liquid crystal cells; Circuit arrangements arrangements or circuits for control of liquid crystal elements in a matrix, not structurally associated with these elements G09G3/36
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/64 Constructional details of receivers, e.g. cabinets or dust covers furniture aspects of television cabinets A47B81/06

Abstract

A window assembly includes a window frame defining a frame perimeter and at least one window mounted in the frame. A media panel incorporating a video display is associated with the window assembly and can be moved selectively into the frame perimeter for displaying video information and out of the frame perimeter for storage when not in use. A motorized transport mechanism is coupled to the media panel for selectively and automatically moving the media panel between its storage and operational positions.

Claims

1. A window assembly comprising:

a window frame;

at least one pane disposed in said window frame providing visibility through said window frame; and

a media panel in said window frame, said media panel including a video display for displaying video images to a user in the vicinity of said window assembly;

wherein;

the media panel is capable of being moved along a window axis until at least a portion of the media panel and at least a portion of said video display extend beyond a perimeter of the window frame and are receivable into a wall adjacent to said window frame.

2. The window assembly of claim 1 wherein said media panel is slidably mounted in said window frame.

3. The window assembly of claim 2 wherein said media panel is slidable between an out-of-sight storage position and an operational position within said window frame.

4. The window assembly of claim 3 wherein said window frame is mounted in a wall having a pocket formed adjacent said window frame, some, but not all, of said media panel being disposed in said pocket when in the storage position.

5. The window assembly of claim 1 further comprising a transport mechanism capable of sliding said media panel between an out-of-sight storage position and an operational position.

6. The window assembly of claim 5 wherein said transport mechanism comprises a linear actuator.

7. The window assembly of claim 5 wherein the transport mechanism selectively slides said media panel into a pocket adjacent the window frame in the storage position and out of said pocket in the operational position.

8. The window assembly of claim 7 wherein said transport mechanism is mounted in the wall adjacent said window frame.

9. The window assembly of claim 8 wherein said transport mechanism is mounted beneath said window frame and is operationally coupled to said media panel for selectively sliding said media panel between its storage and operational positions.

10. The window assembly of claim 9 wherein said transport mechanism comprises a linear actuator.

11. The window assembly of claim 1 wherein said media panel further incorporates a sound radiator for reproducing audio portions of video displayed on said video display.

12. The window assembly of claim 11 wherein said sound radiator is a glass pane and the window assembly further comprises an audio transducer coupled to said glass pane for vibrating said glass pane to radiate sound.

13. A building comprising:

interconnecting walls enclosing and defining rooms within said building;

a window assembly mounted in at least one of said walls; and

a media panel positionable in said window assembly and including a video display for displaying video information to a user in the vicinity of said window assembly;

wherein;

the media panel is capable of being moved along a window axis until at least a portion of the media panel and at least a portion of said video display extend beyond a perimeter of a frame of the window assembly and are receivable into said wall adjacent to said frame.

14. The building of claim 13 wherein said media panel is selectively movable between a storage position wherein said media panel does not obstruct the view through said window assembly and an operational position within the view through said window assembly.

15. The building of claim 14 further comprising a pocket formed in the wall adjacent said window assembly, some, but not all, of said media panel being disposed in said pocket when in the storage position.

16. The building of claim 13 wherein said media panel is slidably mounted in said window assembly for sliding movement into said pocket for storage and out of said pocket for use.

17. The building of claim 13 further comprising a motorized transport mechanism for selectively moving said media panel into and out of a pocket formed in the wall adjacent the window assembly.

18. The building of claim 17 wherein said motorized transport mechanism comprises a linear actuator mounted in said wall adjacent said window assembly and operatively coupled to said media panel.

19. A window assembly comprising a frame and a panel movably mounted in said frame, said panel including a video display for displaying video information to a user in the vicinity of said window assembly;

wherein;

the panel is capable of being moved along a window axis until at least a portion of the panel and at least a portion of said video display extend beyond a perimeter of the frame and are receivable into a wall adjacent to said frame.

20. The window assembly of claim 19 further comprising a sound radiator associated with said panel for reproducing sound corresponding to video information.

21. The window assembly of claim 20 wherein said panel is slidable in said frame between an out-of-sight storage location and a visible operational location.

22. The window assembly of claim 19 further comprising a motorized transport mechanism for moving said panel between an out-of-sight storage location and an operational location.