Display device convertible between a cave configuration and a wall configuration

• US 6,621,531 B2
• Filed: 10/02/2002
• Issued: 09/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Cooper, David E., Egle, Kevin M., Hartmann, Warren J., Huck, Francis B. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mai, Lanna
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRAN, HANH VAN
• Application Number:
  US10/262,708
• Publication Number:
  US 20030025647A1
• Time in Patent Office: 349 Days
• Field of Search: 348/836, 348/839, 348/840, 312/7.2, 434/38, 434/44, 434/69
• US Class Current: 348/839
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/00 Indicating arrangements for variable information in which the information is built-up on a support by selection or combination of individual elements in which the variable information is permanently attached to a movable support G09F11/00; abacus G06C1/00; slide-rules G06G1/00

Abstract

A method for converting a wall configuration of a display device to a cave configuration, the display device including a first display module having a display screen including first and second opposite peripheral edges and means for displaying an image on the display screen, a second display module having a display screen including a peripheral edge and means for displaying an image on the display screen, and a third display model having a display screen including a peripheral edge and means for displaying an image on the display screen. Additionally the invention includes a method for converting a cave configuration of a display device to a wall configuration.

Claims

1. A method for converting a wall configuration of a display device to a cave configuration, the display device including a first display module having a display screen including first and second opposite peripheral edges and means for displaying an image on the display screen, a second display module having a display screen including a peripheral edge and means for displaying an image on the display screen, and a third display module having a display screen including a peripheral edge and means for displaying an image on the display screen, comprising the step of:

moving the second and third display modules from a position with the respective peripheral edges of the display screens thereof in abutting relation to the display screen of the first display module with all of the display screens generally coplanar in the wall configuration, to a position with the respective peripheral edges of the display screens of the second and third display modules in abutting relation to the display screen of the first display module with all of the display screens being angularly related to define a generally three-dimensional cave configuration.

2. The method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the display device further comprises a fourth display module, where in the cave configuration the angularly related display screens define a space, further comprising the step of:

positioning the fourth display module above the space.

3. The method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the display device further comprises a fourth display module, where in the cave configuration the angularly related display screens define a space, further comprising the step of:

locating the fourth display module beneath the space.

4. The method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the display screen of each of the second and third display modules includes an opposite peripheral edge opposite the first named peripheral edge and a top peripheral edge and a bottom peripheral edge extending between the first named peripheral edge and the opposite peripheral edge, and a support frame supporting the display screen along the top and bottom peripheral edges and the opposite peripheral edge.

5. The method, set forth in claim 1, wherein each of the display screens comprises a translucent material, each of the display modules includes a mirror located behind the display screen in spaced relation thereto and a projector operable to project a visual image at the mirror for reflection through the screen.

6. The method, as set forth in claim 5, wherein the mirror of each display module is adjustably mounted for movement relative to the projector and the display screen of the module.

7. The method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least the second and third display modules each includes at least one caster positioned for supporting the module for movement along a floor or other horizontal surface.

8. The method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one of the display modules includes at least one leveling foot adjustable for aligning the module with another of the modules.

9. The method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one of the display modules includes an adjustable bumper for engaging another of the display modules when the respective display screens thereof are located in abutting relation for aligning the display screens.

10. The method, as set forth in claim 1, where in the cave configuration the second and third display modules are positionable with the respective peripheral edges of the display screens thereof in abutting relation to the display screen of the first display module adjacent to the respective peripheral edges thereof or in spaced relation thereto to allow adjusting the width of the cave.

11. A method for converting a cave configuration of a display device to a wall configuration, the display device including a first display module having a display screen including first and second opposite peripheral edges and means for displaying an image on the display screen, a second display module having a display screen including a peripheral edge and means for displaying an image on the display screen, and a third display module having a display screen including a peripheral edge and means for displaying an image on the display screen, comprising the step of:

moving the second and third display modules from a position with the respective peripheral edges of the display screens of the second and third display modules in abutting relation to the display screen of the first display module with all of the display screens being angularly related to define a generally three-dimensional cave configuration, to a position with the respective peripheral edges of the display screens of the second and third display modules in abutting relation to the display screen of the first display module with all of the display screens generally coplanar.

12. The method, as set forth in claim 11, wherein the display screen of each of the second and third display modules includes an opposite peripheral edge opposite the first named peripheral edge and a top peripheral edge and a bottom peripheral edge extending between the first named peripheral edge and the opposite peripheral edge, and a support frame supporting the display screen along the top and bottom peripheral edges and the opposite peripheral edge.

13. The method, set forth in claim 11, wherein each of the display screens comprises a translucent material, each of the display modules includes a mirror located behind the display screen in spaced relation thereto and a projector operable to project a visual image at the mirror for reflection through the screen.

14. The method, as set forth in claim 13, wherein the mirror of each display module is adjustably mounted for movement relative to the projector and the display screen of the module.

15. The method, as set forth in claim 11, wherein at least the second and third display modules each includes at least one caster positioned for supporting the module for movement along a floor or other horizontal surface.

16. The method, as set forth in claim 11, wherein at least one of the display modules includes at least one leveling foot adjustable for aligning the module with another of the modules.

17. The method, as set forth in claim 11, wherein at least one of the display modules includes an adjustable bumper for engaging another of the display modules when the respective display screens thereof are located in abutting relation for aligning the display screens.