Joint locking mechanism
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a first structure;
a second structure;
a joint coupling the first structure to the second structure and facilitating movement of the second structure relative to the first structure;
an actuator configured to transition between a first position that restricts the movement of the second structure relative to the first structure and a second position that allows the movement of the second structure relative to the first structure;
a touch sensor, located on at least one of the first or second structure and in communication with the actuator, the touch sensor, in response to receiving a touch input, to send a signal to the actuator to cause the actuator to transition between the first position and the second position, the touch sensor further translating a force of the touch input to cause the movement of the second structure from a first location relative to the first structure to a second location relative to the first structure, wherein detection by the touch sensor of an absence of the touch input causes the actuator to return to the first position and restrict the second structure at the second location relative to the first structure; and
a power source to provide electrical power to at least one of the touch sensor or the actuator.
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Abstract
Projection and camera systems may employ a joint locking mechanism that may enable a user to reposition or move structures (arms, lenses, etc.) that are otherwise locked in position. The joint locking mechanism may include a touch-activated presence detector to sense a presence of an extremity of a user. In response to the presence detector sensing the presence, an actuator may unlock a joint or structure to enable movement of the joint or structure while the presence detector continues to sense the presence. In response to a detection of an absence of the extremity, the actuator may return to a locked state to prevent further movement of the joint or structure.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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a first structure; a second structure; a joint coupling the first structure to the second structure and facilitating movement of the second structure relative to the first structure; an actuator configured to transition between a first position that restricts the movement of the second structure relative to the first structure and a second position that allows the movement of the second structure relative to the first structure; a touch sensor, located on at least one of the first or second structure and in communication with the actuator, the touch sensor, in response to receiving a touch input, to send a signal to the actuator to cause the actuator to transition between the first position and the second position, the touch sensor further translating a force of the touch input to cause the movement of the second structure from a first location relative to the first structure to a second location relative to the first structure, wherein detection by the touch sensor of an absence of the touch input causes the actuator to return to the first position and restrict the second structure at the second location relative to the first structure; and a power source to provide electrical power to at least one of the touch sensor or the actuator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An apparatus comprising:
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a first structure; a second structure; a joint that facilitates movement of the second structure from a first location relative to the first structure to a second location relative to the first structure; an actuator configured to transition between at least a first state that restricts movement of the second structure relative to the first structure and a second state that allows movement of the second structure relative to the first structure; and a sensor to; detect presence of an extremity of a person, and in response to detecting the presence, transmit a signal to the actuator to cause the actuator to transition from the first state to the second state to free the joint to facilitate the movement between the first structure and the second structure; and detect absence of the extremity of the person and cause the actuator to return to the first state and restrict the joint to maintain the second structure at the second location relative to the first structure. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A system comprising:
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a joint locking mechanism including a sensor and an actuator, the sensor to detect presence of an extremity, and in response, transmit a signal to cause the actuator to transition from a first state to a second state; and a joint having a base and a structure, the structure restricted from transitioning or rotating while at a first location while the actuator is in the first state, the structure to at least one of transition or rotate from the first location to a second location relative to the base when the actuator is in the second state, the structure restricted from transitioning or rotating back to the first location relative to the base in response to the actuator resuming the first state. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. An apparatus comprising:
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a first structure; a second structure moveably coupled to the first structure, the second structure to move, while coupled to the first structure, from a first location relative to the first structure to a second location relative to the first structure; an actuator configured to transition between at least a first state that restricts movement of the second structure relative to the first structure and a second state that allows movement of the second structure relative to the first structure; and a sensor to detect presence of an extremity of a person, and in response to detecting the presence, transmit a signal to the actuator to cause the actuator to transition from the first state to the second state to permit the movement between the first structure and the second structure, the sensor to further detect absence of the presence of the extremity of the person and causes the actuator to return to the first state and restrict the second structure at the second location relative to the first structure. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification