Computer controlled display device

• US 7,773,371 B2
• Filed: 04/17/2007
• Issued: 08/10/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Stringer, Christopher, Hillman, Michael D., McBroom, Daniel L., Tsai, Frank, McBroom, Michael D., Sudderth, Brian T., Riccio, Daniel, Andre, Bartley K., Kim, Sung, White, Bryan Thomas, Jue, Clifford
• Primary Examiner(s): Gandhi; Jayprakash N
• Assistant Examiner(s): Edwards; Anthony Q
• Application Number:
  US11/787,859
• Publication Number:
  US 20070201197A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,211 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679.06, 361/679.22, 248/274.1, 248/280.11, 248/288.51, 248/292.11
• US Class Current: 361/679.06
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/08 around a vertical axis , e.g. panoramic heads F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/10 around a horizontal axis F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/14 with ball-joint ball-jointed hinges F16C11/06 ; adjustable mountings employing universal joints for lighting devices F21V21/26 - F21V21/30
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/18 with mechanism for moving the apparatus relatively to the stand
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2014 around a vertical axis F16M11/2035 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2078 with ball-joint ball-jointed hinges F16C11/06
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/40 by means of coilable or bendable legs or spiral shaped legs
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/022 by friction
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/044 for balancing rotational movement of the undercarriage
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/065 with a special structure, e.g. reinforced or adapted for space reduction
• 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 248/917 Video display screen support
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/918 Ancillary device support associated with a video display screen

Abstract

The present invention is a computer controlled display device. In one embodiment, the display device includes a flat panel display having an input for receiving display data. Additionally, a moveable assembly may be coupled to the display. The moveable assembly may provide at least three degrees of freedom of movement for the flat panel display device. Additionally, the moveable assembly may have a cross-sectional area, which is substantially less than a cross-sectional area of a display structure of the flat panel display.

Claims

1. A computer controlled display device, comprising:

a flat panel display having an input for receiving display data;

a base housing a computer;

a moveable assembly extending from said flat panel display to said base, said moveable assembly having a cross-sectional area that is less than a cross-sectional area of a display structure of said flat panel display, wherein said moveable assembly is articulatable to provide at least four degrees of freedom for said flat panel display relative to said base; and

an assembly coupled to the moveable assembly, the assembly being configured to reduce an amount of user'"'"'s force required for adjusting a viewing position of the flat panel display.

2. The computer controlled display device of claim 1, wherein said moveable assembly comprises:

at least one ball and socket joint disposed near said base; and

a gooseneck shaft disposed within said at least one ball and socket joint.

3. The computer controlled display device of claim 2, wherein said moveable assembly has one of a data cable, power cable, tension mechanism, and an anti-torsion mechanism.

4. The computer controlled display device of claim 2, wherein a frictional contact between each ball and socket allows said moveable assembly to be selectively fixed in a position.

5. The computer controlled display device of claim 2, wherein said at least one ball and socket joint is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of a metal, a metal alloy, a ceramic, a plastic, and combinations thereof.

6. The computer controlled display device of claim 5, wherein a plurality of ball and socket joints extend from said base to said flat panel display.

7. The computer controlled display device of claim 1, wherein said moveable assembly comprises at least one U-joint disposed near said base.

8. The computer controlled display device of claim 7, wherein said at least one U-joint has a first joint member and a second joint member.

9. The computer controlled display device of claim 8, wherein said first joint member and said second joint member have interlocking teeth.

10. The computer controlled display device of claim 8, wherein said first joint member and said second joint member become fixed in a selected position through frictional contact.

11. The computer controlled display device of claim 10, wherein a plurality of U-joints extend from said base to said flat panel display.

12. The computer controlled display device of claim 11, wherein a tension cable is disposed within said moveable assembly.

13. The computer controlled display device of claim 12, further comprising an actuation device operatively coupled to said tension cable, said actuation device suspending a movement of said moveable assembly when a force is applied by said actuation device and permitting said movement when said force is released.

14. The computer controlled display device of claim 13, wherein said force is applied to said tension cable to engage said teeth of said first joint member and said second joint member.

15. The computer controlled display device of claim 13, wherein said force is released from said tension cable to separate said teeth of said first joint member and said second joint member.

16. The computer controlled display device of claim 13, wherein said force is torque.

17. The computer controlled display device of claim 1, wherein said moveable assembly contains a data cable coupled to the input for receiving display data, a cable for providing power to the flat panel display, and an anti-torsion mechanism.

18. The computer controlled display device of claim 1, wherein said moveable assembly comprises at least one pivot joint disposed near said base.

19. The computer controlled display device of claim 18, wherein said at least one pivot joint has a knuckle and at least one friction plate disposed on said knuckle.

20. The computer controlled display device of claim 19, wherein a plurality of frictions plates are disposed between a first pivot joint and a second pivot joint.

21. The computer controlled display device of claim 20, wherein a tension cable is disposed within said moveable assembly.

22. The computer controlled display device of claim 18, wherein said moveable assembly contains a data cable coupled to the input for receiving display data, a cable for providing power to the flat panel display, and an anti-torsion mechanism.

23. The computer controlled display device of claim 21, further comprising an actuation device operatively coupled to said tension cable, said actuation device suspending a movement of said moveable assembly when a force is applied by said actuation device and permitting said movement when said force is released.

24. The computer controlled display device of claim 23, wherein said force is applied to said tension cable to engage said plurality of friction plates with said first and second pivot joints.

25. The computer controlled display device of claim 23, wherein said force is released from said tension cable to separate said plurality of friction plates from said first and second pivot joints.

26. The computer controlled display device of claim 23, wherein said force is torque.

27. The computer controlled display device of claim 1, wherein said moveable assembly comprises at least one ball joint disposed near said base.

28. The computer controlled display device of claim 27, wherein said at least one ball joint comprises:

a substantially spherical ball;

a stem extending from said substantially spherical ball; and

a washer disposed near said stem, said washer having brake pad.

29. The computer controlled display device of claim 28, wherein said at least one ball joint further comprises a tension cable disposed within said at least one ball joint, wherein when said tension cable is tensioned, said washers force the brake pads to engage an inner surface of said substantially spherical ball.

30. The computer controlled display device of claim 29, wherein said washer comprises a spring washer.

31. The computer controlled display device of claim 29, wherein said tension cable is coupled to an actuator to apply and to release a tension to said tension cable.

32. The computer controlled display device of claim 27, wherein said moveable assembly has one of a data cable, power cable, tension mechanism, and an anti-torsion mechanism.

33. The computer controlled display device of claim 29, further comprising an actuation device operatively coupled to said tension cable, said actuation device suspending a movement of said moveable assembly when a force is applied by said actuation device and permitting said movement when said force is released.

34. The computer controlled display device of claim 33, wherein said force is applied to said tension cable to engage said brake pads to said inner surface of said substantially spherical ball.

35. The computer controlled display device of claim 33, wherein said force is released from said tension cable to separate said brake pads from said inner surface of said substantially spherical ball.

36. The computer controlled display device of claim 29, wherein said force is torque.

37. The computer controlled device of claim 1, wherein said movable assembly comprises:

at least one ball and socket disposed near said base;

a first band looped around a ball portion of said ball; and

a second band looped around said ball portion perpendicular to said first band.

38. The computer controlled device of claim 37, further comprising:

a first washer coupled to said first band; and

a second washer coupled to said second band, wherein said first band translates around said first washer and said second band translates around said second washer.

39. The computer controlled device of claim 38, further comprising a second ball and socket coupled to said at least one ball and socket by engaging said first band and said second band, wherein second ball and socket may rotate about said at least one ball and socket.

40. The computer controlled device of claim 39, wherein a rotation of said second ball and socket perpendicular to said first band translates said second band around said at least one ball and said second washer.

41. The computer controlled device of claim 39, wherein a rotation of said second ball and socket perpendicular to said second band translates said first band around said at least one ball and said first washer.

42. The computer controlled device of claim 39, wherein a combination of rotation of said second ball and socket perpendicular to said first band and to said second band provides a rotational movement that is the equivalent of a spherical joint.

43. The computer controlled display device of claim 37, wherein said moveable assembly has one of a data cable, power cable, tension mechanism, and an anti-torsion mechanism.

44. The computer controlled display device of claim 1, wherein said assembly comprises at least an energy storage element, wherein the energy stored in the energy storage element contributes to the reduction of the user'"'"'s force.

45. The computer controlled display device of claim 1, wherein said assembly comprises at least an energy storage element, wherein the energy storage element contributes to the reduction of the user'"'"'s force by counterbalancing the weight of the flat panel display.

46. The computer controlled display device of claim 1, wherein said assembly being configured to assist a user an adjusting a viewing position of the flat panel display by making the flat panel display feel substantially weightless when the user attempts to move it.