Multiple position computer display arm

• US 7,630,193 B2
• Filed: 09/09/2005
• Issued: 12/08/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Herpain, Fabrice, Chandley, Adrian M., Ledbetter, Carl J., Kaneko, Steven T., Adams, Aditha M., Elabbady, Tarek Z.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gandhi; Jayprakash N
• Assistant Examiner(s): Edwards; Anthony Q
• Application Number:
  US11/223,614
• Publication Number:
  US 20070058329A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,551 Days
• Field of Search: 361679-683, 312/223.1, 312/223.2, 248917-923
• US Class Current: 361/679.21
• 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 11/2021 around a horizontal axis F16M11/2035 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/068 being part of the undercarriage
• 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: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1677 for detecting open or closed state or particular intermediate positions assumed by movable parts of the enclosure, e.g. detection of display lid position with respect to main body in a laptop, detection of opening of the cover of battery compartment
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1681 Details related solely to hinges hinge details related to the transmission of signals or power are classified in G06F1/1683

Abstract

Described is a computer display arm that couples a monitor to a base in a manner facilitates display monitor movement between various positions, including preset positions that may be generally optimized to match typical computer usage modes. In one implementation, an arm, which may be an articulating arm, includes or is otherwise associated with a mechanism that guides the user, if desired, to convenient stopping positions for different types of interaction. For example, preset stopping positions may be provided for conventional (e.g., mouse and keyboard) workstation-like interaction, video (e.g., DVD movie) playback, stand-up (walk-up) touch-screen interaction, and/or for pen input, similar to a tablet computing device. Users are able to position the monitor display screen between the preset positions if desired, and also may vary the positioning at the preset and/or other stopping points, to an extent. Software such as user interface code can change to match the current position.

Claims

1. A system comprising a computer and a monitor, the system further comprising:

a mechanism that couples the monitor to a base, the mechanism including at least one arm having a set of at least two stops, the arm moveable between positions corresponding to each of the stops, and each stop corresponding to an operating mode within a set of modes, the set of modes comprising each of a workstation mode, a media consumption mode, a walk-up mode, a tablet mode, a maintenance mode, and a storage mode;

one or more biometric sensors for identifying a user of the system;

a position detection means for detecting the position of the monitor, the position detection means being coupled via a hardware to software interface to mode switch software on the computer, the mode switch software comprising a policy and user-configurable preference data indicating which shell interface and which software is to be operational in each detected position;

the mode switch software being enabled to determine from the detected position of the monitor and the user-configurable preference data, a shell interface and software which should be operable;

the mode switch software further being enabled to report the position-based determination of the shell interface and software to an operating system of the computer; and

the system being enabled to switch to a particular mode based upon the identity of a user and an application being launched or run by the identified user.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising means for adjusting the monitor an additional amount relative to at least one position corresponding to a stop.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the workstation mode facilitates access to at least one input device.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the workstation mode corresponds to a range of tilt angles between negative fifteen degrees vertical to positive fifteen degrees vertical.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the media consumption mode corresponds to a mode optimized for media consumption.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the media consumption mode conceals at least part of an input device and at least one control that are unnecessary for media viewing.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the walk-up mode corresponds to a range of tilt angles between negative sixty degrees vertical to negative thirty degrees vertical and facilitates touch and pen input to the computer.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the tablet mode facilitates pen input through the monitor.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the tablet mode corresponds to a position in which the bottom of the monitor is stabilized by a fixed surface.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the stops comprise each of visible, audible and tactile feedback.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the mechanism that couples the monitor to the base includes a pair of arms that each extend from the base and couple to the monitor for sliding in a lateral direction relative to the monitor, and rotate relative to the monitor.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the mechanism comprises an articulating arm having at least two fixed members that are pivotally coupled to one another.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the mechanism comprises a four bar arm mechanism having two pairs of bars apart from one another.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein the mechanism that couples the monitor to the base includes a sliding rack and pinion mechanism.

15. The system of claim 1 further comprising software change means for changing software corresponding to the operating mode.

16. In a computing environment including a computer system and monitor, a method comprising:

identifying a user of the system through a biometric sensor;

based upon the identity of the user, switching to a default display position for the identified user;

detecting a current position of a monitor coupled to a movable arm;

reporting a signal indicative of the current position of the monitor to the computer system;

mode-switch software determining from the current position of the monitor and from user-configurable preference data, a shell interface and software which should be operable;

the mode-switch software reporting the determined shell interface and software to an operating system;

the operating system providing a delay to avoid loading and changing software during a transition between positions of the monitor; and

the operating system loading the shell interface and software, the shell interface and software corresponding to an operating mode associated with the current position.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the current position corresponds to an operating mode within a set of modes, the set of modes comprising each of a workstation mode, a media consumption mode, a walk-up mode, a tablet mode, a maintenance mode, and a storage mode, and wherein loading the shell interface and software comprises changing a user interface based on the operating mode.