Automated multi-task window assembly

• US 20040056829A1
• Filed: 03/26/2003
• Published: 03/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Andersen Corporation
• Original Assignee: Andersen Corporation
• Inventors: A., Oscar E. Pena, Libby, James B., Williams, Rodney K., Lightfoot, Anthony J., Tan, Alex W. K.
• Granted Patent: US 7,180,489 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 incorporating a video display for displaying video images to a user in the vicinity of said window assembly.

2. A window assembly as claimed in claim 1 and wherein said media panel is slidably mounted in said window frame.

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

4. A window assembly as claimed in claim 3 and further comprising a transport mechanism for sliding said media panel between its storage and operational positions.

5. A window assembly as claimed in claim 4 and wherein said transport mechanism comprises a linear actuator.

6. A window assembly as claimed in claim 3 and wherein said window frame is mounted in a wall having a pocket formed adjacent said window frame, said media panel being disposed in said pocket when in its storage position.

7. A window assembly as claimed in claim 6 and further comprising a transport mechanism for selectively sliding said media panel into said pocket for storage and out of said pocket for operation.

8. A window assembly as claimed in claim 7 and wherein said transport mechanism is mounted in the wall adjacent said window frame.

9. A window assembly as claimed in claim 8 and 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. A window assembly as claimed in claim 9 and wherein said transport mechanism comprises a linear actuator.

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

12. A window assembly as claimed in claim 11 and wherein said sound radiator is a glass pane and further comprising an audio transducer coupled to said glass pane for vibrating said glass pane to radiate sound.

21. A building as claimed in claim 1 and 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.

22. A building as claimed in claim 21 and further comprising a pocket formed in the wall adjacent said window assembly, said storage position of said media panel being within said pocket.

23. A building as claimed in claim 22 and 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.

24. A building as claimed in claim 23 and further comprising a motorized transport mechanism for selectively moving said media panel into and out of said pocket.

25. A building as claimed in claim 24 and wherein said motorized transport mechanism comprises a linear actuator mounted in said wall adjacent said window assembly and operatively coupled to said media panel.

13. An automated multi-task window assembly comprising:

a window frame;

at least one pane mounted in said window frame providing a view through said window frame;

a media panel movable into said window frame for use and out of said window frame for storage;

said media panel incorporating a video display for displaying video information to a user when said media panel is positioned in said window frame; and

a motorized transport mechanism for selectively moving said media panel into and out of said window frame.

14. An automated multi-task window assembly as claimed in claim 13 and wherein said media panel is slidably mounted in said window frame for sliding movement into and out of said window frame, said motorized transport mechanism being coupled to said media panel for imparting sliding movement thereto.

15. An automated multi-task window assembly as claimed in claim 14 and wherein said transport mechanism comprises a linear actuator.

16. An automated multi-task window assembly as claimed in claim 14 and wherein said media panel is horizontally slidably mounted to in said window frame and is slidable into a pocket adjacent said window frame for storage and out of said pocket into said window frame for use.

17. An automated multi-task window assembly as claimed in claim 13 and wherein said media panel further includes a sound radiator for reproducing audio corresponding to video displayed on said video display.

18. An automated multi-task window assembly as claimed in claim 17 and wherein said sound radiator comprises a flat panel sound radiator.

19. An automated multi-task window assembly as claimed in claim 18 and wherein said flat panel sound radiator comprises a pane of glass mounted in said media panel and an audio transducer coupled to said pane of glass.

20. 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 incorporating a video display for displaying video information to a user in the vicinity of said window assembly.

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

27. A window assembly as claimed in claim 26 and further comprising a sound radiator associated with said panel for reproducing sound corresponding to video information.

28. A window assembly as claimed in claim 27 and wherein said panel is slidable in said frame between an out-of-sight storage location and a visible operational location.

29. A window assembly as claimed in claim 28 and further comprising a motorized transport mechanism for moving said panel between its storage and operational locations.