U.S. patent application number 11/373075 was filed with the patent office on 2006-08-24 for desktop device with adjustable flat screen display.
Invention is credited to Richard J. Ditzik.
Application Number | 20060187626 11/373075 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26771455 |
Filed Date | 2006-08-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060187626 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ditzik; Richard J. |
August 24, 2006 |
Desktop device with adjustable flat screen display
Abstract
A relatively small transportable desktop computer/workstation
with a display panel assembly in combination with a microprocessor
or controller is made display screen position adjustable, in
inclination angle, azimuth angle and elevation translation
movements. The workstation can have a pen or stylus touch screen
input function added, so that a user operator can write, draw and
sketch directly onto the screen in a natural manner. The
workstation can be placed on top of a desk or table providing an
ergonomic man-machine interface for information communications
between individual users via a communications network. A keyboard,
voice/speaker telephone, mouse or trackball input unit, and
communications modem may be added to the workstation. The flat
panel display, pen input device and microprocessor can be combined
into an assembly, which can be removed from the main body for
portable mobile computing operation.
Inventors: |
Ditzik; Richard J.; (Bonita,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BROOKS KUSHMAN P.C.
1000 TOWN CENTER
TWENTY-SECOND FLOOR
SOUTHFIELD
MI
48075
US
|
Family ID: |
26771455 |
Appl. No.: |
11/373075 |
Filed: |
March 10, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09850505 |
May 7, 2001 |
|
|
|
11373075 |
Mar 10, 2006 |
|
|
|
09510955 |
Feb 22, 2000 |
6326955 |
|
|
09850505 |
May 7, 2001 |
|
|
|
08937258 |
Sep 13, 1997 |
6064373 |
|
|
09510955 |
Feb 22, 2000 |
|
|
|
08288882 |
Aug 10, 1994 |
5668570 |
|
|
08937258 |
Sep 13, 1997 |
|
|
|
08084811 |
Jun 29, 1993 |
|
|
|
08288882 |
Aug 10, 1994 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
361/679.05 ;
361/679.06; 361/679.22; 361/679.58 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 2200/1612 20130101;
G06F 1/1626 20130101; G06F 1/169 20130101; Y10S 345/905 20130101;
G06F 1/1615 20130101; G06F 1/1632 20130101; G06F 2200/1631
20130101; G06F 1/1616 20130101; G06F 1/16 20130101; G06F 2200/1614
20130101; Y10S 248/92 20130101; Y10S 248/923 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
361/681 |
International
Class: |
G06F 1/16 20060101
G06F001/16; H05K 7/00 20060101 H05K007/00 |
Claims
1. A flat panel computer monitor, comprising: a flat panel display
assembly including an LCD display screen, and associated
microprocessor and support electronics for the LCD display screen;
a base that is adapted to be placed on a desk top, wherein the base
does not house the associated microprocessor and support
electronics for the LCD display screen; a support post assembly
affixed to the base at a first end; and a hinge attached to the
support post assembly at a second end, the hinge also being
attached to the flat panel display assembly, the flat panel display
assembly being selectively positioned in a range of inclination
angles relative to the base to accommodate user preference and held
in a selected position by the friction of the hinge; wherein the
support post assembly includes telescoping actuator assist means
for elevation position adjustment to accommodate user height
preference of the flat panel display assembly relative to the base
and provide an upward force upon the flat panel display assembly to
assist the user in adjusting the position of the flat panel display
assembly.
2. The support stand of claim 1, wherein the hinge has a pivot pin
without a spring.
3. The support stand of claim 1, wherein the flat panel display
pivots between a portrait and a landscape orientation on the hinge
without contacting the base.
4. The support stand of claim 1, wherein the support post includes
a telescoping actuator assist mechanism that provides for elevation
travel of the flat panel display assembly relative to the base.
5. The support stand of claim 1, further comprising a hand knob
that applies a force to a springless hinge for selectively locking
and unlocking the springless hinge.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 09/850,505 filed May 7, 2001, which is a continuation of U.S.
application Ser. No. 09/510,955 filed Feb. 22, 2000, now U.S. Pat.
No. 6,326,955, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.
08/937,258 filed Sep. 13, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,064,373, which
is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/288,882 filed
Aug. 10, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,668,570, which is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/084,811 filed
Jun. 29, 1993, now abandoned.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates to desktop or portable computers with
flat panel displays. In particular it relates to personal computers
that will lie on a desk or table, which a human operator will use
to: (1) enter keyboard data, pen or voice data/information; (2)
view displayed information and/or (3) hear audio/voice
information.
[0004] 2. Background Art
[0005] Heretofore, portable computers with flat panel displays were
embodied in a "clamshell" type design. When these prior art
computers are ready for use, the display panel is unfolded to a
roughly vertical orientation. The attached keyboard and computer
enclosure form the bottom half of the clamshell. For portable
transport, the flat panel display is folded down over the keyboard
and computer enclosure. This prior art configuration has several
shortcomings. First, since the unit sits on a desk or table, the
screen is always at a lower elevation than the eye level of the
person sitting and operating the computer. Thus the person must
continually look down to the display. Over long periods of time,
this will cause neck and back strain on the user. Secondly, if a
pen/stylus input means is added to the display screen, the roughly
vertical operating orientation is inconvenient and ergonomically
incorrect when the user is handwriting or sketching. If the user
tries to hold his/her arm up to write on a vertical screen, the
user's arm will tire. Over long periods of writing on a vertical
screen, this awkward position will cause strain on one's wrist.
Even if the user is willing to hold his/her hand up to write on the
vertical screen, it may not be physically secure for the user's
hand pressure. Thirdly, the prior art clamshell design does not
provide elevation adjustment or azimuth angle adjustment means.
This restricts the ergonomic usability of the prior art computer
and display units.
[0006] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,859,092 of Makita discloses a
portable typewriter and display unit. However, a single pair of
pivoting arms connect the display unit to the main body. When its
display unit is raised to its highest elevation, the distance from
the user's eyes to the display screen is large. Therefore, middle
aged users who are near sighted, will have difficulty in viewing
the screen. No pen/stylus input mean is disclosed, but even if one
is added, the display unit would not provide a physically secure
writing surface. The Makita does not provide a means of placing
equal and opposite restraining force onto the display unit. U.S.
Pat. No. 4,624,434 of Lake discloses a tiltable display terminal,
but no display unit elevation adjustment is taught. Again no pen
input means is disclosed, and if one is added, the unit would not
be physically stable for normal hand/arm forces applied by the
user. U.S. Pat. No. 5,115,374 of Hongoh teaches a laptop portable
computer with a facsimile function. Hongoh discloses a touch panel
screen, but no pen input means, and no vertical elevation
adjustment of its display unit is taught. In order to provide a
horizontal display orientation, the display unit must be detached
from the main body and set back, in reverse orientation, to the
connector sockets on the main body, which is a severe
disadvantage.
[0007] Several prior art pen computer units exit. However, their
display screens are fixed to their enclosure to form a flat tablet.
They are designed for the mobile user market. This limits their use
for desktop pen/stylus computing environments. No prior art has
solved the problem of a personal computer for the office
environment, capable of standard computing, pen computing, and
voice telephone communications.
[0008] The invention disclosed herein solves the above problems by
providing an ergonomic designed desktop system that is capable of
several important computer and communications functions. It
provides a display panel assembly, pen/stylus input unit, multiple
support arms, and a main unit in a roughly wedge shape. The display
panel assembly can be adjusted in inclination angle, azimuth angle
and elevation. Thus invention overcomes the problems of the prior
art. For example, the display panel of the invention can be easily
adjusted by hand in elevation to a height roughly of the user's eye
level. The user does not have to look down to see the screen when
in normal PC-keyboard operation. If the unit is used as a
pen/stylus computer, the display panel can be folded by hand to a
physically secure position, at an inclination angle that is
ergonomically correct for handwriting and sketching. Finally, the
display screen can be physically adjusted in many orientation
combinations, including azimuth angles, inclination angles and
elevation translations. Thus the invention can be used in a wide
range on office desktop positions and by a wide range of users and
orientations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The disclosed invention overcomes the shortcomings of the
prior art by providing display screen adjusting means for desktop
computers and terminals, such that the entire apparatus is
sufficiently small to be portable or transportable. The invention
disclosed herein provides an easy to use desktop workstation, to
which the human user can adjust its screen for many screen
positions. In addition, the workstation can fold down for
transport. The workstation may also include external communication
means such as voice/data modem and/or telephone means.
[0010] Accordingly an object of the invention is to provide small
compact workstation for the office, having an array of useful
functions and capabilities at the finger tips of the human user
sitting at his/her desk. Functions may include pen/stylus input
means, computer means, display device(s), mass memory devices,
keyboard, mouse, speaker phone, network interface and modem.
[0011] Another object of the invention is to give the user a voice
and data communications capability at the desktop, capable of
standard text/graphics computing, as well as voice/video/pen
communication to other individuals or computers, via modem or
network (LAN/WAN) interfaces.
[0012] Still another object of invention is to provide the user
with an ergonomic workstation that can be adjusted to a wide range
of positions and orientations, such that there will be a reduction
or elimination of body stress and fatigue by the user, over long
periods of use.
[0013] Still another object of the invention is to provide a
modular desktop workstation such that the user can configure the
workstation to how he/she works, or to their choice at a particular
time. For example, the user will have the choice of using a
detached keyboard, pen/stylus input, mouse, trackball, handset
telephone, or speaker telephone, depending on his/her wishes for
accomplishing a particular task.
[0014] Still another object of the invention is to provide a unit
that is small and light enough for the user to easily transport it
to other locations. Other objects of the invention will become
evident by reading the following invention descriptions and
inspection of the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1A is a side view of the desktop workstation with the
display panel assembly oriented vertically and somewhat raised from
its lowest position.
[0016] FIG. 1B is a side view of the desktop with the display panel
assembly folded to its lowest inclined position, with a stylus/pen
input means.
[0017] FIG. 2 is exploded perspective view of the desktop
workstation with a telephoto means placed on one side.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a general block diagram of the electrical elements
of the invention.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a general flow diagram of the software that may
execute on the workstation's digital computing means.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a display monitor associated
apparatus.
[0021] FIGS. 6A & 6B are front views of display monitors with
two different screen roll angles.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0022] The invention can be described with reference to FIGS. 1A
and 1B shows a desktop workstation from the side in two different
display screen orientations and modes of operation. The term
desktop workstation is defined to be an interactive man-machine or
man-computer interface, in which a human being can enter and view
data/information. The workstation or interface may or may not
include a digital computer. A display panel assembly 2 is attached
to a support structure 4 via a hinge pin 5. The support structure 4
is connected to a support arm 12 via a first hinge 14. The display
panel assembly 2 includes a relatively thin display device further
defining a viewing screen. Examples of the possible display
technologies are Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD),
electro-luminescent, plasma panel, and field emission displays.
They may be monochrome or color, and they could be light modulator
or light emitter types of displays. LCD's are most commercially
available flat panel display devices, available in a wide variety
of sizes, shapes, resolutions and other characteristics.
[0023] Typical of these LCD's is the Sharp Electronics
Corporation's LM64P90 and LM64K90 monochrome LCD's. They have a
640.times.480 display pixel format, a viewing area of 196.times.148
mm, a dot pitch of 0.30.times.0.03 mm, and cold cathode fluorescent
backlight. The former has 150 ms rise plus fall response time, a
transmissive viewing mode, 50 Nits brightness, and 13:1 contrast
ratio. The latter has a 250 ms rise plus fall response time, a
transflective viewing mode, 35 Nits brightness, and 10:1 contrast
ratio. For many applications, color LCD's are required. Sharp
Electronics Corp. makes several direct-view color Thin Film
Transistor (TFT) LCD modules. Typical specifications for their
LQ10DH11 product are a 640(.times.3).times.480 display pixel
format, 211.times.158 mm viewing area, a
0.33(0.11.times.3).times.0.33 mm dot pitch, a hot cathode
fluorescent backlight.
[0024] The display panel assembly 2 is free to rotate through large
inclination angles (at least 90 degrees), represented by rotation
A, about the hinge axis of hinge 14. Support arms 12 and 8 in turn
connect the display panel to the workstation at main unit 6. The
main unit may include an enclosure or housing for control
electronics including a digital computer, microprocessor or other
control. The display panel assembly 2 may be electrically connected
to electronics located in the main unit 6, via an electrical cable
routed inside the support structure 4 and support arms 12 and 8, or
via a cable routed externally to the main unit. The size of main
unit 6 should be small, so as to not present a large "foot print"
on the desk or table. The unit should be easily carried by one
person. The invention may powered by light weight batteries or it
may be an AC powered workstation.
[0025] The support arm 8 is attached to support arm 12 by a hinge
16, such that the latter arm can be rotated though rotation C about
the axis of the hinge 16, as shown in FIG. 1A. Support arm 8 is
attached to the main unit 6 by hinge 20, such that the arm can
rotate though large angles as shown in rotation B about the axis of
the hinge means. Thus the above mechanical elements can work in
combination, and the user can adjust the orientation of the display
panel assembly 2 in both inclination angle and elevation. The
friction of each hinge is such that the user can adjust the
orientation by hand, and its position is either self-locking or can
adjusted to lock in position. The lengths of the support arms 8 and
12 should be selected to provide the desired display screen
elevation and forward viewing positions. Many different
combinations of lengths may be embodied.
[0026] Several methods can be implemented to give the user to
capability to adjust the screen in azimuth angle. One technique is
to rotationally attach the display panel assembly 2 to a support
structure 4 via a cylindrical hinge pin 5, so that the display can
rotate through azimuth angles. The hinge pin 5 can be made hollow
so that electrical conductors can be routed through it to the
support structure 4. Another method would be to place the main unit
on stationary base structure via a lazy-susan structure. Rubber
feet may be placed under the main unit, as shown in the figure. The
weight of the display panel assembly 2 should be as low as
possible, and the mass of the main unit and its electronics should
be large enough so that if the display assembly is adjusted in the
extreme forward position, the unit will remain physically and
gravitationally stable. A computer keyboard unit 7 is shown
connected to the main unit 6 via an electrical cable 9. The
computer keyboard unit 7 may be attached or detached. If it is a
detached keyboard, the electrical signals may be transmitted to the
computer via wires or electromagnetic radiation means.
[0027] FIG. 1B shows the workstation of in FIG. 1A, except the
display panel is folded down to its lowest inclined position and a
stylus input 22 is included. The stylus input is defined to be a
stylus or pen position encoding device that encodes, in two or
three dimensions, the position of a hand-held stylus, as the user
moves it over an active area corresponding to the display screen.
The screen of the display panel is facing upward and at a
convenient inclined angle for user hand writing, drawing and
sketching with the stylus or pen. An electrical wire/cable 23 may
be used to connect the pen/stylus to the control electronics in the
main unit. A natural inclined angle of the screen for stylus/pen
data input is roughly 30 degrees from the horizontal. However, the
display panel assembly may be locked into position at a
multiplicity of orientations.
[0028] Another embodiment is shown in FIG. 2, which presents a
perspective view of another embodiment of the invention, where
several elements are shown in exploded view, for clarity. A display
panel assembly 2 including its display screen 3 is rotationally
connected to the support structure 4 via the cylindrical hinge pin
5. The display panel assembly is then free to rotate through wide
azimuth angles D as shown. The support structure 4 is connected to
support arm pairs 12A and 12B via hinges 14A and 14B. The
cylindrical shafts of hinges 14A and 14B, which may be threaded,
fit in the round holes of the support arm pairs 12A and 12B.
Support arm pair 8A and 8B is attached to the previous arm pair at
hinge elements 16A, 16B and 16C, where element 16B is a long shaft,
the ends of which may be threaded. The other ends of support arm
pair 8A and 8B are attached to the main unit 6 via hinges 20A and
20B. The friction of each hinge means may be adjusted by a threaded
shaft or screw 19 and a standard nut 17 or a finger tightened
nut/knob 17A. The friction should be sufficient to support the
display panel assembly under the gravitational and normal hand
writing/sketching forces.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, a telephone unit may be added or
integrated into the desktop workstation. A telephone handset 26 and
cord 32 may located either side of the workstation. A telephone
keypad 28 should be placed in a convenient location of the user.
For a hands-free telephone operation, a microphone 30 and speaker
36 may be included. The telephone unit may be attached or detached
from the main unit. The telephone may function during workstation
operation and/or independently of the workstation operation. A
computer keyboard, mouse or trackball devices may be included, in
addition to the stylus/pen input means. All controls should be
designed to be simple and easy to use.
[0030] FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of the basic electrical
elements of the computer workstation. The pen/stylus input
electronics 22 can be interfaced directly to flat panel display
device electronics 38. Examples of available products that have
combined these functions are the Super-K.TM. display tablet from
SuperScript Inc., Video Tablet from Kurta.COPYRGT. Corporation, and
the PL-100 Integrated Tablet for Wacom Technology Corp. Typically,
these products are connected to a controller card in the computer's
I/O bus, via a cable. Specifications for such display-tablet
include: active area 7.56 by 5.67 inches, accuracy.+-.0.02 inch,
resolution 1016 PPI, data transfer rate 270 coordinate pairs/sec.,
pen slew rate up to 135 IPS without significant distortion, and
stylus/pen weight 15 grams.
[0031] As shown in the figure the flat panel display is
electrically connected to the workstation microcomputer/controller
44. The microcomputer may be any one of several commercially
available products, such as the Intel.TM. 86286, 86386 or 86486
processors, Motorola Corporation's 68030 or 68040 processors, as
well as several others. If the workstation is to be battery
powered, then low voltage (3V) low-power microprocessors should be
used. The microcomputer/controller 44 may be embodied by several
means.
[0032] One available microcomputer system that may be used, is the
Moby Brick product manufactured by Ergo Computing of Peabody, Mass.
The Moby Brick product consists of a 386/486 CPU, with 4 to 32 MB
RAM, hard disks from 170 MB to 1 GB, built in video controller, a
3.5 inch 1.44 MB floppy drive, two serial ports, one parallel port
and one ISA 16 bit half length card slot. All the above is built
into a 7.9.times.11.3.times.3.3 inch module that weighs 8.7 lbs.
The CPU required by the invention may be a 20 MHZ 386SX, 33/40 MHz
386DX, or the 33 MHz 486DX. Either internal or external modems may
be embodied in to the system. An optional expansion chassis may be
added to the system with four slots for ISA cards.
[0033] FIG. 4 shows a general flow diagram of typical stored
program software that may execute in the microcomputer or processor
44. Many commercial available operating systems, window environment
and application software are available to run in the microcomputer.
Typical operating systems that could be used include Microsoft
Corporation's MS-DOS.TM., IBM's OS/2.TM., Go Corporation's Pen
Point or various companies' UNIX products. Possible windowing
environments include Microsoft's Windows.TM. 3.x and Windows for
Pen.TM., Hewlett-Packard's New Wave.TM., or X-Windows from various
companies. Software may be pen centric like Pen Point.TM. software
or it may be just pen/mouse aware. As shown in FIG. 4, after a
standard power up and the system diagnostics and checkout is
completed the operating system is loaded. Depending on the desired
configuration a number of device driver, TSR's, communication
programs and pen/stylus control programs may be loaded. The
workstation should be capable of either running windows or
non-windows environments.
[0034] The microcomputer/controller 44 of FIG. 3 includes
associated support electronics, I/O devices and power supply. All
the above should be compact in size, so that the size of the
overall desktop workstation is as small as practical. The advantage
of small size is that it provides a smallest footprint of the desk.
This is important in office environments, where desk space is at a
premium. The main unit's footprint dimensions, on the desktop,
could be in the range of 15 by 13 inches, depending of the size of
the screen and whether of telephone handset is included.
[0035] The keyboard function 42 may be electrically connected to
the microcomputer/controller 44. A standard mouse/trackball unit 46
may be connected to the microcomputer via an I/O card or serial
port in the standard manner. Both the pen and mouse/trackball
interfaces may be desirable in certain applications. An external
communication means 47 is connected to the microprocessor. The
communications means could be embodied by a communications I/O
card, internal/external modem or other communication means. However
embodied, the workstation shall have the capability to communicate
data (text, graphics, video, and voice) interactively on either
Wide Area Networks (WAN) 50 or Local Area Networks (LAN) 52. The
WAN in its simplest form consist of two workstations connected to
each other via internal/external modems over standard or hi-speed
telephone lines.
[0036] Either an external or internal (built-in) telephone/speaker
phone 48 may be connected to the microprocessor/controller. It may
integrated into the workstation or embodied as a stand alone
device, depending on the user's requirements. The telephone/speaker
phone may also be connected to ordinary telephones lines 54 or
wireless/cellular networks 56. The primary purpose of the external
communication means of the workstation is to provide two way
interactive text, graphics (including pen/stylus), video and
voice/audio communication to: (1) other users operating similar
workstations (at the same time or unattended), and/or (2) one or
more computers network of computers or terminals. Other standard
computing and communication components may be added to the
invention that are obvious to those skilled in the art.
[0037] In another embodiment, the microprocessor and support
electronics 44 can be located at the display panel assembly 2,
instead of the main unit 6. For example, they may be located on one
or more printed circuit boards surrounding and behind the display
screen. Such an implementation with battery power is well known to
those skilled in the art. Prior art flat display devices have been
combined with a microcomputer, battery pack, and associated
electronics and placed inside the relatively thin display panel
enclosures. This has been accomplished in several pocket computers,
Personal Digital Assistants (PDA), and hand held tablet computers.
For example, battery embodiments have been placed inside the IBM
ThinkPad.TM. 710T, Apple Computer Corporation's Newton.TM., Grid
System's Convertible.TM. 2260, and Dauphin Technology's DTR-1
computers, to name a few. In order to accomplish the above,
developers typically implement the required electrical circuits via
semi-conductor large scale integration (LSI) techniques. This
usually results in microcomputer, main memory, I/O, display drive
and other support circuitry integrated into the circuit boards. The
microprocessors that could be embodied must be low-voltage and
low-current draw versions, such as Intel.TM. 386/486SL models.
[0038] A rechargeable battery pack and power management circuitry
should be included in the assembly. The battery pack may be
removable via a slot on the side of the display panel assembly 2.
The main battery pack typically consists of NiCd or newer Nickel
Hydride type batteries. A backup battery may also be embodied. The
mass memory components, of these hand held display panel
assemblies, may consist of a small magnetic 2.5 or 3.5 inch disk
hard drives or semiconductor Flash Memory modules. Mass memory of
at least 80 MBytes are typically required. If removable, the
battery pack and flash memory modules should conform to the PCMCIA
Standards. These standards are important for interchangeability
among different manufactures. Because of the high level of LSI
accomplished today, relatively thin, 1-2 inch thick, display panel
assemblies can be realized containing a flat panel display, drive
circuitry, microcomputer card, support circuitry and battery pack,
within a light weight enclosure. The display panel and computer
assembly can then be removed from the support structure 4 and hinge
pin 5, as shown in FIG. 1A by a typical removal direction E. This
can be accomplished by a simple plug and socket arrangement at the
bottom of the display panel assembly. An advantage of this
implementation is that two modes of user operation are then
possible. One is the desktop operation as described above. The
other is a portable mobile display-tablet operation. The user has
the option to remove the display-computer unit from the socket, and
use it as a notebook computer or display-tablet.
[0039] FIG. 5 shows an alternate embodiment of the desktop
workstation system consisting primarily of a base unit 6A, display
panel assembly 2, pen/stylus input means 22, keyboard unit 7, a
telephone base unit 6B and a telephone handset 26. The computer or
workstation is designed for desktop computing and data
communications for typical office, home or factory use. All the
major functions for computing, communications, and conferencing are
made available to user in this desktop arrangement. The base unit
6A, which is similar to the main unit of FIGS. 1 and 2, is embodied
as a somewhat smaller wedge shape enclosure, which does not take up
much desk space and provides an inclined position for pen input.
The telephone base unit 6B and keyboard unit 7 are shown here as
separate units, so that they can be pushed aside to make room on
the desktop. Electrical cables 58 and 9 connect the handset and
keyboard to the base unit 6A where most of the computer and
electronic components are located. The stylus/pen 22 is connected
to the computer in the base unit via an electrical cable 23.
[0040] The display panel assembly 2 is physically connected to the
base unit 6A via a pivot support structure 4 and an actuator assist
means 8. This connection is shown in an exploded view in the
figure. The pivot support structure 4 may be embodied in many ways,
such as a ball and socket joint arrangement. Thus, the display
panel assembly 2 with its display screen 3, is position adjustable
in a multiplicity of orientations. A Cartesian coordinate system
diagram, defining the axes for translations and rotations, is shown
in the figure. The panel can be rotated in Inclination angle I,
Azimuth angle D, and Roll angle R. Further position adjustment
means are added, to provide elevation adjustment along axis y, as
shown in double arrow B.
[0041] The display panel assembly 2 may be electrically connected
to the electronics in the base unit by running a cable through the
hinge pin 5 and through the actuator assist means 60 attached to
the hinge pin. Sufficient slack in the cable must be provided for
the full height of the adjustment range. A slack take-up means
should be provided, so that when the panel is in its lower
elevation positions, the cable does not bind. The vertical force of
actuator assist means should be roughly equal to the weight of the
display panel assembly 2. The actuator assist means 60 could be
embodied by several alternative devices, including an air spring, a
mechanical spring, pneumatic, hydraulic, or electromechanical
actuator means. One or more actuators could be included. A means
for locking and unlocking the actuator position should be provided
within the assist means 60. Such actuators and locking mechanisms
are well known to those in the art.
[0042] Even though flat panel display assemblies typically weigh
only a few ounces, there are several reasons why an actuator assist
means may be desirable. If an actuator is not implemented, and the
user desires to raise the panel vertically by hand, the user would
have to grab one edge of the panel and pull up. If the base unit is
not secured to the table or it is not sufficiently heavy, the
entire unit may lift off the table. The user would have to place
one hand on the base unit and the other on the display panel and
pull. Both of the above user actions are undesirable. Using two
hands for a simple position adjustment, takes more time to
accomplish, and the user may lose his/her's concentration during a
computing task. Making the base unit heavy enough so that its
weight is larger than the force applied by one's hand is also
undesirable. Therefore, a telescoping actuator means 60 should be
embodied with a force roughly equivalent to the weight of the
display assembly 2, so that the user can easily adjust the position
of the display panel by hand. The actuator means may include a
locking and unlocking means for temporarily holding the display
assembly in the desired position.
[0043] An alternate embodiment is shown is FIGS. 6A and 6B, showing
front views of a desktop unit with a pivot support structure 4
attached to the display panel assembly 2, as well as other
components. The pivot support structure 4 may comprise an L-shaped
support member 4C, such that the display panel, when supported near
the front of the base unit 6A can be rotated about the z-axis
(shown in FIG. 5) and miss the front edge of the base. The L-shaped
member 4C, as shown is FIGS. 6A and 6B, is foreshortened (i.e., one
side of the L is pointing out of the paper). FIG. 6B shows a front
view of the display panel, where the panel is rotated 90 degrees to
the typical portrait display orientation. A locking and unlocking
part 4A can be a hand knob for applying a force to a hinge means.
In this embodiment, the locking knob is facing forward, toward the
front of the desktop unit. Other locking/unlocking knob positions
are possible. A support post 5A is fixed to the actuator assist
means 60 at one end and is attached to the pivot support structure
4 at the other. The assist actuator means 60 may consist of several
telescoping arm and post members, in order to provide for greater
elevation travel. The actuator means should be capable of
collapsing into a unit with relatively small height dimension. This
later feature is important because the height dimension of front
portion base unit is relatively small. As above, the support post
5A can be hollow to allow the electrical cable to be routed through
it. An advantage of the FIGS. 6A and 6B embodiment is that it
provides for both landscape and portrait screen orientations in the
same desktop unit, which the user can easily change by hand.
[0044] The embodiments of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 results in a relatively
integrated desktop computer and telecommunication system, designed
to used by a person at his/her desk. The system is designed to
replace the user's existing telephone and desktop computer, with a
general purpose integrated telephony and computing system. A unique
aspect of this invention is that the wedge shaped base unit 6A,
telephone handset enclosure 6B and the keyboard unit 7 are made to
be small separate units, but the display panel assembly 2 can be
quite large. The telephone handset and enclosure combination can
slide under the display panel assembly, to save desktop space. This
embodiment allows the user to move these separate units out of the
way when not in use, and pulled into position, when required.
[0045] The scope of the invention disclosed here should be
determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents,
rather than by the examples given above.
[0046] While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and
described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and
describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words
used in the specification are words of description rather than
limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *