Workspace display

• US 6,427,389 B1
• Filed: 11/28/2000
• Issued: 08/06/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation (Steelcase Incorporated)
• Inventors: Branc, Joseph R., Stanfield, Joel D., Miller, William L., Baloga, Mark A., Niewiadomski, Mitchell
• Primary Examiner(s): CALLO, LAURA ANTOINETTE
• Application Number:
  US09/723,998
• Time in Patent Office: 616 Days
• Field of Search: 52/27, 52/361, 522/39, 359/443, 359/449, 359/451, 359/460, 434/432
• US Class Current: 52/36.1
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0071 Booth like
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 15/0068 Modular articulated structures, e.g. stands, and articulation means therefor

Abstract

A workspace display comprises a sidewall partition defining a workspace with a portal opening and a door partition to selectively close the portal. A first display screen is disposed on the interior side of the door partition for individual viewing from inside the workspace. A second display screen is disposed exterior of the sidewall partition and positioned a spaced apart distance in general alignment therewith, without substantial interference with user ingress and egress through the portal opening. A video device is positioned overhead in optical communication with the first display screen when the door partition is in its fully closed position to support individual activities. The video device is in optical communication through the portal opening with the second display screen when the door partition is in its fully open position to support group activities. An image on the second display screen can be viewed on either the interior or exterior screen surfaces. The first display screen and the interior and exterior screen surfaces of the second display screen form dry erasable markerboards.

Claims

1. A workspace display for open plan spaces and the like, comprising:

a sidewall partition configured to define a three-sided workspace having an open side that permits user ingress and egress therethrough;

a first display screen disposed on an interior side of said sidewall partition;

a second display screen disposed exterior of said sidewall partition, and positioned a spaced apart distance from said open side, in general alignment therewith, without substantial interference with user ingress and egress through said open side;

a video device mounted overhead adjacent said sidewall partition, and in optical communication with said first screen to support individual activities, and in optical communication with said second screen through said open side to support group activities.

2. A workspace display as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said video device is a display projector.

3. A workspace display as set forth in claim 2, wherein:

said second display screen has an interior screen surface oriented toward an interior side of said sidewall partition, and configured to reflect images inwardly from said display projector to support small group activities.

4. A workspace display as set forth in claim 3, wherein:

said second display screen has an exterior screen surface oriented toward an exterior side of said sidewall partition, and configured to transmit images outwardly from said display projector to support large group activities.

5. A workspace display as set forth in claim 4, wherein:

said second display screen includes feet supporting said second display screen in a freestanding manner on a floor surface.

6. A workspace display as set forth in claim 5, wherein:

said display projector is supported on said sidewall partition.

7. A workspace display as set forth in claim 6, further comprising a computer, wherein:

said projector is operatively connected to said computer for projecting images generated by said computer.

8. A workspace display as set forth in claim 7, wherein:

said second display screen includes an input device for generating a signal to said computer in response to a user.

9. A workspace display as set forth in claim 4, wherein:

said second display screen includes a device for generating an electronic signal in response to a user marking said second display screen.

10. A workspace display as set forth in claim 2, wherein:

said second display screen has an exterior screen surface oriented toward an exterior side of said sidewall partition, and configured to transmit images outwardly from said display projector to support large group activities.

11. A workspace display as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said video device is a camera.

12. A workspace display as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

at least one of said first and second display screens has an erasable whiteboard surface.