STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM

• US 20130144446A1
• Filed: 12/06/2011
• Published: 06/06/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Geiger, Avi R., Hill, Andrew W., Gault, Joseph B., Rihn, Bernard K., Klein, Stephen C.
• Granted Patent: US 9,020,615 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/279
• 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: G06F 1/16 Constructional details or arrangements
• 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 1/1681 Details related solely to hinges hinge details related to the transmission of signals or power are classified in G06F1/1683
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1612 Flat panel monitor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1631 Panel PC, e.g. single housing hosting PC and display panel

Abstract

In embodiments of a stability control system, a computing device includes a device housing that is integrated with a display device, and the device housing tilts for multiple display positions. Pivotable components are mechanically-linked and pivot in coordination to position the device housing in a display position, and sensors detect positioning inputs that are received to re-position the device housing. Clutch mechanisms are implemented to limit and/or resist movement of the pivotable components based on the positioning inputs. A stability controller can be implemented to control the clutch mechanisms based on sensor data from the sensors to position the device housing in a display position.

Claims

1. A computing device, comprising:

a device housing integrated with a display device and configured to tilt for multiple display positions;

pivotable components that are mechanically-linked and configured to pivot in coordination to position the device housing in a display position;

sensors configured to detect positioning inputs that are received to re-position the device housing; and

clutch mechanisms configured to at least one of limit or resist movement of the pivotable components based on the positioning inputs.

2. A computing device as recited in claim 1, further comprising a stability controller configured to control the clutch mechanisms based on sensor data from the sensors.

3. A computing device as recited in claim 2, wherein the stability controller is configured to coordinate one or more of the pivotable components moving together to position the device housing.

4. A computing device as recited in claim 2, wherein the stability controller is configured to engage the clutch mechanisms to limit movement of the pivotable components into an unstable position of the device housing.

5. A computing device as recited in claim 2, wherein the stability controller is configured to release the clutch mechanisms to allow movement of the pivotable components into a stable position of the device housing.

6. A computing device as recited in claim 2, wherein the stability controller is configured to determine an unstable position of the device housing and control the clutch mechanisms to stabilize the device housing.

7. A computing device as recited in claim 2, wherein the stability controller is configured to determine movement towards an unstable position of the device housing based on the sensor data and engage the clutch mechanisms to limit movement of the pivotable components into the unstable position of the device housing.

8. A computing device as recited in claim 2, wherein the stability controller is configured to determine user input to re-position the device housing based on the sensor data that corresponds to the positioning inputs.

9. A computing device as recited in claim 8, wherein the stability controller is further configured to control the clutch mechanisms to resist the user input with electrically-controlled friction.

10. A method, comprising:

detecting with sensors, positioning inputs to re-position a display device to one of multiple display positions;

pivoting mechanically-linked pivotable components in coordination to position the display device in a display position; and

controlling clutch mechanisms based on sensor data to at least one of limit or resist movement of the pivotable components to position the display device in the display position.

11. A method as recited in claim 10, further comprising coordinating one or more of the pivotable components moving together to position the display device.

12. A method as recited in claim 10, further comprising engaging the clutch mechanisms to limit movement of the pivotable components into an unstable position of the display device.

13. A method as recited in claim 10, further comprising releasing the clutch mechanisms to allow movement of the pivotable components into a stable position of the display device.

14. A method as recited in claim 10, further comprising:

determining an unstable position of the display device; and

controlling the clutch mechanisms to stabilize the display device.

15. A method as recited in claim 10, further comprising:

determining movement towards an unstable position of the display device based on the sensor data; and

engaging the clutch mechanisms to limit movement of the pivotable components into the unstable position of the display device.

16. A method as recited in claim 10, further comprising:

determining user input to re-position the display device based on the sensor data that corresponds to the positioning inputs; and

controlling the clutch mechanisms to resist the user input with electrically-controlled friction.

17. A stability control system, comprising:

pivotable components that are mechanically-linked and configured to pivot in coordination to position a display device in one of multiple display positions;

clutch mechanisms configured to at least one of limit or resist movement of the pivotable components; and

a stability controller configured to control the clutch mechanisms based on sensor data that corresponds to positioning inputs to re-position the display device in a display position.

18. A stability control system as recited in claim 17, wherein the stability controller is configured to determine movement towards an unstable position of the display device based on the sensor data, and engage the clutch mechanisms to limit movement of the pivotable components into the unstable position of the display device.

19. A stability control system as recited in claim 17, wherein the stability controller is configured to determine user input to re-position the display device based on the sensor data that corresponds to the positioning inputs, and control the clutch mechanisms to resist the user input with electrically-controlled friction.

20. A stability control system as recited in claim 17, wherein the stability controller is configured to one of:

engage the clutch mechanisms to limit movement of the pivotable components into an unstable position of the display device;

or

release the clutch mechanisms to allow movement of the pivotable components into a stable position of the display device.