Multiple position computer display arm

• US 20070058329A1
• Filed: 09/09/2005
• Published: 03/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Chandley, Adrian, Ledbetter, Carl, Elabbady, Tarek, Herpain, Fabrice, Adams, Aditha, Kaneko, Steven
• Granted Patent: US 7,630,193 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.60
• 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 mechanism that couples a display 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, each stop corresponding to an operating mode of operation.

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 one operating mode of operation corresponds to a workstation mode that facilitates access to at least one input device.

4. The system of claim 2 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 one operating mode of operation 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 or other controls and/or displays that are unnecessary for media viewing.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein one operating mode of operation corresponds to a walk-up mode that facilitates touch and/or pen input, and wherein the walk-up mode corresponds to a range of tilt angles between negative sixty degrees vertical to negative thirty degrees vertical.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein one operating mode of operation corresponds to a tablet mode that facilitates pen input.

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 correspond to at least one of visible, audible and/or tactile feedback.

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

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

changing a software mode to correspond to the current position.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the current position corresponds to a current user interaction mode of a set of possible modes, the set containing a workstation mode, a media consumption mode, a walk-up mode, and a tablet mode, and wherein changing the software mode to correspond to the current position comprises changing a user interface based on the current interaction mode.

18. A system, comprising:

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

19. The system of claim 18 further comprising a computing device that outputs data to the display monitor, a detection mechanism that detects a current position of the display monitor, and software change means coupled to the detection mechanism for changing at least some software running in the computing device based upon the current position.

20. The system of claim 18 wherein the mechanism that couples the display monitor to the base comprises at least one type of positioning means of a set, the set containing, an articulating arm having at least two fixed members that are pivotally coupled to one another, a four-bar arm mechanism having two pairs of bars apart from one another, a pair of arms that each extend from the base and couple to the display monitor for sliding in a lateral direction relative to the display monitor and rotate relative to the display monitor, and/or an arm mechanism coupled to a base via a sliding rack and pinion mechanism.