U.S. patent application number 17/206716 was filed with the patent office on 2021-07-08 for modular accessory unit.
The applicant listed for this patent is Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.. Invention is credited to Zheng Cao, Kevin L. Massaro, Dimitre Mehandjiysky.
Application Number | 20210204688 17/206716 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005462211 |
Filed Date | 2021-07-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210204688 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cao; Zheng ; et al. |
July 8, 2021 |
MODULAR ACCESSORY UNIT
Abstract
A modular accessory system includes a base, a power interface
attached to the base, and a communication interface attached to the
base. The base is connectable to a base of an additional modular
accessory system. The power interface is to provide power to or
receive power from the additional modular accessory system
responsive to the modular accessory system switching from a first
mode to a second mode. The communication interface is to
communicate with the additional modular accessory system responsive
to the modular accessory system switching from the first mode to
the second mode.
Inventors: |
Cao; Zheng; (Spring, TX)
; Mehandjiysky; Dimitre; (Spring, TX) ; Massaro;
Kevin L.; (Spring, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. |
Spring |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005462211 |
Appl. No.: |
17/206716 |
Filed: |
March 19, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16335073 |
Mar 20, 2019 |
11000120 |
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PCT/US2016/054407 |
Sep 29, 2016 |
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17206716 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09F 3/00 20130101; A47B
13/088 20130101; A47B 2021/0076 20130101; A47B 87/002 20130101;
H05K 5/0234 20130101; H05K 5/0247 20130101; A47B 21/007 20130101;
H05K 5/0221 20130101; G06F 3/04883 20130101; A47B 2200/0084
20130101; A47B 2200/0082 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47B 21/007 20060101
A47B021/007; G09F 3/00 20060101 G09F003/00; A47B 87/00 20060101
A47B087/00; A47B 13/08 20060101 A47B013/08; G06F 3/0488 20060101
G06F003/0488; H05K 5/02 20060101 H05K005/02 |
Claims
1. A modular accessory system comprising: a base connectable to a
base of an additional modular accessory system; a power interface
attached to the base, the power interface to provide power to or
receive power from the additional modular accessory system
responsive to the modular accessory system switching from a first
mode to a second mode; and a communication interface attached to
the base, the communication interface to communicate with the
additional modular accessory system responsive to the modular
accessory system switching from the first mode to the second
mode.
2. The modular accessory system of claim 1, wherein the power
interface is not to provide power to or receive power from the
additional modular accessory system responsive to the modular
accessory system switching from the second mode to the first mode,
and wherein the communication interface is not to communicate with
the additional modular accessory system responsive to the modular
accessory system switching from the second mode to the first
mode.
3. The modular accessory system of claim 2, wherein the modular
accessory system is to switch from the first mode to the second
mode responsive to connection of the base to the base of the
additional modular accessory system, and wherein the modular
accessory system is to switch from the second mode to the first
mode responsive to disconnection of the base from the base of the
additional modular accessory system.
4. The modular accessory system of claim 2, further comprising:
mechanical and electrical mechanisms of the base to connect to
corresponding mechanical and electrical mechanisms of the base of
the additional modular accessory system.
5. The modular accessory system of claim 4, wherein electrical
mechanisms of the base comprise wired electrical mechanisms of the
power interface.
6. The modular accessory system of claim 4, wherein electrical
mechanisms of the base comprise wired electrical mechanisms of the
communication interface.
7. The modular accessory system of claim 6, wherein the wired
electrical mechanisms comprise USB, VGA, or HDMI wired
connections.
8. The modular accessory system of claim 4, wherein electrical
mechanisms of the base comprise wireless electrical mechanisms of
the communication interface.
9. The modular accessory system of claim 8, wherein the wireless
electrical mechanisms of the communication interface comprise NFC,
Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi wireless connections.
10. The modular accessory system of claim 2, wherein in the first
mode the modular accessory system operates independently of the
additional modular accessory system, and wherein in the second mode
the modular accessory system operates collectively with the
additional modular accessory system.
11. The modular accessory system of claim 2, further comprising: a
display to function with a display of the additional modular
accessory system as a single display responsive to the modular
accessory system switching from the first mode to the second
mode.
12. The modular accessory system of claim 11, wherein the display
is to function as a separate display independent of the display of
the different modular accessory system responsive to the modular
accessory system switching from the second mode to the first
mode.
13. The modular accessory system of claim 12, wherein the display
is switchable between a first display mode in which the display is
bent at a viewing angle or is curved and a second display mode in
which the display is not bent or is linear and not curved.
14. The modular accessory system of claim 13, wherein the modular
accessory system switches from the first mode to the second mode
responsive to the display switching from the first display mode to
the second display mode, and wherein the modular accessory system
switches from the second mode to the first mode responsive to the
display switching from the second display mode to the first display
mode.
15. A method comprising: responsive to a first modular accessory
system switching from a first mode to a second mode, providing
power from a power interface of the first modular accessory system
to a power interface of the second modular accessory system, or
receiving power by the power interface of the first modular
accessory system from the power interface of the second modular
accessory system; and responsive to the first modular accessory
system switching from the first mode to the second mode,
communicating by the first modular accessory system with the second
modular accessory system.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: responsive to the
first modular accessory system switching from the second mode to
the first mode, no longer providing power from a power interface of
the first modular accessory system to a power interface of the
second modular accessory system, or no longer receiving power by
the power interface of the first modular accessory system from the
power interface of the second modular accessory system; and
responsive to the first modular accessory system switching from the
second mode to the first mode, no longer communicating by the first
modular accessory system with the second modular accessory
system.
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: responsive to
connection of a base of the first modular accessory system to a
base of the second modular accessory system, switching the first
modular accessory system from the first mode to the second mode;
and responsive to disconnection of the base of the first modular
accessory system from the base of the second modular accessory
system, switching the first modular accessory system from the
second mode to the first mode.
18. The method of claim 16, further comprising: in the first mode,
operating the first modular accessory system independently of the
second modular accessory system; and in the second mode, operating
the first modular accessory system collectively with the second
modular accessory system.
19. The method of claim 16, further comprising: in the first mode,
operating a display of the first modular accessory system to
function with a display of the second modular accessory system; and
in the second mode, operating the display of the first modular
accessory system as a separate display independent of the display
of the different modular accessory system.
20. The method of claim 19, further comprising: responsive to
switching the display of the first modular accessory system from a
first display mode in which the display is bent at a viewing angle
or is curved to a second display mode in which the display is not
bent or is linear and not curved, switching first modular accessory
system from the first mode to the second mode; and responsive to
switching the display of the first modular accessory system from
the first mode to the second mode, switching the display from the
second mode to the first mode.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] With the recent development, the number of devices used by
one or more people in one space has increased significantly. Along
with that, the demand for larger screens to view the content has
also increased, especially in an office space where the employees
are constantly collaborating with each other through these screens.
An organization may configure its office space in a desirable
layout with desirable furniture to be able to provide the most
effective and efficient collaboration environment for its
employees.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0002] Examples are described in the following detailed description
and in reference to the drawings, in which:
[0003] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic representation of an example
display unit in accordance with an implementation of the present
disclosure;
[0004] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate an example display unit in
accordance with an implementation; and
[0005] FIG. 3 illustrates an example process flow diagram in
accordance with an implementation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0006] Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a
modular accessory system. More specifically, and as described in
greater detail below, various aspects of the present disclosure are
directed to a manner by which devices operating in same or
different operating systems may be displayed on one extendable
screen through modular smart surfaces that can be attached to each
other.
[0007] Aspects of the present disclosure described herein disclose
allowing the user to display content on a smart surface of
furniture (e.g., desk in an office, table in a conference room).
Among other things, this approach allows collaboration between
users through one screen across multiple attached surfaces. The
user can use touch gestures to control the display. Moreover,
aspects of the present disclosure described herein allow utilizing
office furniture with embedded display and/or computing
technologies. Among other things, this approach may provide the
flexibility of avoiding additional expense to move stationary
furniture around and changing any existing configurations of an
office layout easily. Moreover, when the display screen is adjusted
in view angle, the screens can be viewed privately without allowing
others to see or allowing full collaboration between users.
[0008] In one example in accordance with the present disclosure, a
method for managing a plurality of modular accessory units is
provided. The method comprises establishing, by a base of a modular
accessory unit, connection between the modular accessory unit and
at least one other modular accessory unit, wherein the modular
accessory unit comprises a display unit and the base.
[0009] In another example in accordance with the present
disclosure, a modular accessory system is provided. The modular
accessory system comprises a display unit, and a base attached to
the display unit. The base comprises a communication interface to
establish a connection between the display unit of the modular
accessory system and at least one other display unit of another
modular accessory system. The modular accessory system also
comprises a stand attached to the base, and the stand holds a power
cable to power the modular accessory system.
[0010] In a further example in accordance with the present
disclosure, a non-transitory computer readable medium is provided.
The non-transitory computer-readable medium comprises instructions
which, when executed, cause a device to (i) establish, by a base of
the modular accessory system, a connection between a display unit
of the modular accessory system and at least one other display unit
of another modular accessory system; and (ii) display content
seamlessly across the display unit and the at least one other
display unit, wherein one portion of the content is displayed on
the display unit and the other portion is displayed on the at least
one other display unit.
[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an example modular
accessory unit 100 connected to a plurality of other modular
accessory units 160-190. It should be readily apparent that the
present illustration should not be interpreted to be limited by
this particular illustrative architecture shown in FIG. 1, and the
modular accessory unit 100 represents a generalized illustration
and that other elements may be added or the illustrated elements
may be removed, modified, or rearranged in many ways.
[0012] The modular accessory unit 100 may be a desk, table or any
other similar furniture. The modular accessory unit 100 may be a
highly modular furniture system for use in classrooms or office
settings. The modular accessory unit 100 may be connected to other
modular accessory units. The components are coupled to together to
form a modular furniture system. In one implementation, which will
be described in greater detail below, connectors, expansion slots,
networking capabilities, and other storage units are provided
within the furniture components enabling several electronic devices
to be installed within the furniture components and communicate
with each other. In another implementation, the connection between
the modular accessory units may be wireless (e.g., no cables).
[0013] The modular accessory unit 100 includes a base 103 and a
display screen 120. The modular accessory unit 100 may be
pre-manufactured to be modular and incorporate the computer systems
and electronics as shown and described herein in this disclosure.
For example, the base 103 includes a processor 110 (e.g., a central
processing unit, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, or another
suitable programmable device), a memory unit 130, input interfaces
140, and a communication interface 150. Each of these components or
any additional components of the modular accessory unit 100 is
operatively coupled to a bus 105. The bus 105 may be any of several
types of bus structures including a memory bus or memory
controller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a
variety of bus architectures. In other examples, the modular
accessory unit 100 includes additional, fewer, or different
components for carrying out similar functionality described herein.
For example, the processor 110 and the memory unit 130 may be
located outside of the modular accessory unit 100, and the modular
accessory unit 100 may be connected to these computing components
via a Wi-Fi.RTM. interface, a Bluetooth interface, a 3G interface,
a 4G interface, a near filed communication (NFC) interface, and/or
any other suitable interface. The computing components may comprise
a computing device, which may include, but not limited, to any one
of various desktops, laptops, tablets, smart phones, watches and
other similar devices. The computing device may operate as a
stationary computing device (e.g., personal computers (i.e.,
desktops), server computers, laptop computers (with permanently
attached display screens), all in one devices, and other similar
devices that possess comparable characteristics). In other
implementations, these devices can be handheld devices, such as
tablets and smart phones.
[0014] The processor 110 includes a control unit 112 and may be
implemented using any suitable type of processing system where at
least one processor executes computer-readable instructions stored
in the memory 130. The processor 110 may be, for example, a central
processing unit (CPU), a semiconductor-based microprocessor, an
application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a
field-programmable gate array (FPGA) configured to retrieve and
execute instructions, other electronic circuitry suitable for the
retrieval and execution instructions stored on a computer readable
storage medium (e.g., the memory 130), or a combination
thereof.
[0015] The machine readable medium 130 may be a non-transitory
computer-readable medium that stores machine readable instructions,
codes, data, and/or other information. The instructions, when
executed by processor 110 (e.g., via one processing element or
multiple processing elements of the processor) can cause processor
110 to perform processes described herein. Further, the computer
readable medium 130 may participate in providing instructions to
the processor 110 for execution. The machine readable medium 130
may be one or more of a non-volatile memory, a volatile memory,
and/or one or more storage devices. Examples of non-volatile memory
include, but are not limited to, electronically erasable
programmable read only memory (EEPROM) and read only memory (ROM).
Examples of volatile memory include, but are not limited to, static
random access memory (SRAM) and dynamic random access memory
(DRAM). Examples of storage devices include, but are not limited
to, hard disk drives, compact disc drives, digital versatile disc
drives, optical devices, and flash memory devices. As discussed in
more detail above, the processor 110 may be in data communication
with the machine readable medium 130, which may include a
combination of temporary and/or permanent storage. The machine
readable medium 130 may include program memory that includes all
programs and software such as an operating system, user detection
software component, and any other application software programs.
The machine readable medium 130 may also include data memory that
may include multicast group information, various table settings,
and any other data required by any element of the ASIC. The
processor 110 includes a control unit 115 and may be implemented
using any suitable type of processing system where at least one
processor executes computer-readable instructions stored in the
memory 130.
[0016] The communication interface 150 enables the modular
accessory unit 100 to communicate with a plurality of networks and
communication links. In some examples, the communication interface
of the modular accessory unit 100 may include a Wi-Fi.RTM.
interface, a Bluetooth interface, a 3G interface, a 4G interface, a
near filed communication (NFC) interface, and/or any other suitable
interface that allows the computing device to communicate via one
or more networks. The networks may include any suitable type or
configuration of network to allow the modular accessory unit 100 to
communicate with any external systems or devices (e.g., the modular
accessory units 160-190).
[0017] The input interfaces 140 can process information from the
various external system, devices (e.g., the modular accessory units
160-190), and networks that are in communication with the modular
accessory unit 100. For example, the input interfaces 140 include
an application program interface 145. In other examples, the input
interfaces 140 can include additional interfaces. More
specifically, the application program interface 145 receives
content or data (e.g., video, images, data packets, graphics, etc.)
from the modular accessory units 160-190. In one implementation,
the display screen 120 may allow for sharing of electronic content.
For example, electronic content may be in the form of a video
posted to a social media service and subsequently viewed and
commented on by one or more users of that social media service.
Further, the display may be used as a collaboration platform
between a plurality of users. The display screen 120 of the modular
accessory unit 100 may be merged with the display screens of the
modular accessory units 160-190, and may act as a single display
unit. The content may be expanded and shown across all the display
screens as a whole.
[0018] The display screen 120 may be a transparent an organic light
emitting diode (OLED) display, or any other suitable display. In
one implementation, the display screen 120 comprises various
display properties such as resolution, display pixel density,
display orientation and/or display aspect ratio. The display screen
120 may be of different sizes and may support various types of
display resolution, where display resolution is the number of
distinct pixels in each dimension that can be displayed on the
display screen 120. For example, the display screen 120 may support
high display resolutions of 1920.times.1080, or any other suitable
display resolutions. When the display screen supports a
1920.times.1080 display resolution, 1920 is the total number of
pixels across the height of the display 120 and 1080 is the total
number of pixels across the height of the display 120.
[0019] The base 103 comprises a connection system for the modular
accessory unit 100 to be attached to other modular accessory units.
In one implementation, the connection may be a mechanical mechanism
(e.g., latch, magnet). For example, the modular accessory unit 100
may have a magnet connection, and the modular accessory unit 100
may slide into another modular accessory unit. Alternatively, the
modular accessory unit 100 may have a latch, and the modular
accessory unit 100 may snap into and be locked to another modular
accessory unit via the latch. In another implementation, there may
not be a mechanical connection. The modular accessory unit 100 may
be connected to other modular accessory units wirelessly. Further,
the connection may be electrical. In various implementations, the
modular accessory unit 100 may have a variety of structural
compositions (e.g., USB, DE-9, BNC) to electrically connected to
other modular accessory units.
[0020] As discussed above, the modular accessory unit 100 may be
connected to the other modular accessory units 160-190 via VGA,
HDMI, USB Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, over the local network or over the
internet cloud. For example, a receiver may be implemented on the
modular accessory unit 100, and when the modular accessory unit 160
is moved within the NFC range, the modular accessory unit 100 may
automatically detect the modular accessory unit 160 and pair with
the modular accessory unit 160 initiating the display of the
instance from the modular accessory unit 160 on the display screen
120. In another implementation, the modular accessory unit 100 may
have a Bluetooth low energy beacon, which can be used to
automatically recognize the devices (e.g., the modular accessory
unit 160) within the Bluetooth zone. At that point, the modular
accessory unit 100 may send a message to the modular accessory unit
160 to pair with it automatically. The modular accessory unit 160
may start to stream the instances of the modular accessory unit 160
on the modular accessory unit 100 after the modular accessory unit
160 is paired with the modular accessory unit 100. In a further
implementation, the modular accessory unit 100 may be connected to
the modular accessory unit 160 via a USB or HDMI connection.
[0021] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a modular accessory unit 200,
according to an example. As illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the
modular accessory unit 200 may include but are not limited to
surfaces, legs and other supporting members which are not shown in
FIGS. 2A and 2B, such as shelves, chairs, wheels, and other
components commonly used in offices and classrooms today. It should
be readily apparent that the present illustration should not be
interpreted to be limited by this particular illustrative
architecture shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, and the display unit 200
represents a generalized illustration and that other elements may
be added or the illustrated elements may be removed, modified, or
rearranged in many ways. For example, two modular accessory units
are shown to be connected as examples, and more number of instances
may be shown in another implementation. In one implementation, the
display units from a plurality of modular accessory units may be
able to interact with each other through commands executed on the
display units. This is enabled by software installed in or
connected to the operating system of each modular accessory
unit.
[0022] FIG. 2A illustrates a modular accessory unit 200 that
includes a desk portion having a top surface. A display unit 204 is
located within top surface of desk portion. Moreover, the modular
accessory unit 200 comprises a base 202. Coupled to the display
portion is the base portion 202, which includes a plurality of
electronic components as well as room for other storage components.
Together, the display portion and base portion form a shell for the
modular accessory unit 200. Further, the shell is coupled to a
stand (e.g. leg) 206, which houses a power cord, when plugged into
a power source, provides power to the base 202 and the display unit
204. The stand 206 is positioned so that top surface is
substantially planar and relatively flat, and in parallel to a
floor. In one implementation, the top surface of the modular
accessory unit may be made from an unscratchable, unbreakable, and
heat resistant glass. Further, the display portion 204 may be touch
sensitive.
[0023] FIG. 2A also illustrates a second modular accessory unit 210
with a base 212 and a display unit 214. The modular accessory units
200 and 210 are shown to be separate. FIG. 2B illustrates the
modular accessory units 200 and 210 are connected to each other via
the bases 202 and 212. Moreover, the display units 204 and 214 are
united as a result of the connection. In one implementation, the
displays units can act independently and display content as if they
are not connected. In another implementation, the display units can
act as a single display and display content seamlessly across both
spaces as a whole. It should be readily apparent that the present
illustration should not be interpreted to be limited by this
particular illustrative architecture shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, and
the modular accessory units 200 and 210 represents a generalized
illustration and that other elements may be added or the
illustrated elements may be removed, modified, or rearranged in
many ways. For example, in another implementation, there may be
more than two modular accessory units, and additional modular
accessory units may be connected to the modular accessory units 200
and 210 via bases. Accordingly, in such implementation, the size of
the display unit may also be larger, and each display unit may
either act independently or can be combined to act as a single
display that presents content seamlessly across the entire
surface.
[0024] In one implementation, the screen may be bended to various
angles. Such form may allow the unit to be used by a plurality of
users at the same time. In other implementations, the screen and
base may be kept in a linear form or can be used in a curved angle.
The curved angle may be provide privacy to the user viewing the
screen.
[0025] Further, the modular accessory unit may include at least an
operation engine, a network engine, window engine, and an
application engine. Although the various engines are described as
separate engines, in other implementations, the functionality of
all or a subset of the engines may be implemented as a single
engine. Each of the engines of modular accessory unit may be any
suitable combination of hardware and programming to implement the
functionalities of the respective engine. Such combinations of
hardware and programming may be implemented in a number of
different ways. For example, the programming for the engines may be
processor executable instructions stored on a non-transitory
machine-readable storage medium and the hardware for the engines
may include a processing resource to execute those instructions. In
such examples, the machine-readable storage medium may store
instructions that, when executed by the processing resource,
implement the modular accessory unit. The machine-readable storage
medium storing the instructions may be integrated in a computing
device including the processing resource to execute the
instructions, or the machine-readable storage medium may be
separate but accessible to the computing device and the processing
resource. The processing resource may comprise one processor or
multiple processors included in a single computing device or
distributed across multiple computing devices. In other examples,
the functionalities of any of the engines may be implemented in the
form of electronic circuitry.
[0026] The operation engine handles an operating system, such as
iOS.RTM., Windows.RTM., Android, and any other suitable operating
system. The operating system can be multi-user, multiprocessing,
multitasking, multithreading, and real-time. In one implementation,
the operating system is stored in a memory (e.g., the memory 130 as
shown in FIG. 1 performs various tasks related to the use and
operation of the display unit 120. Such task may include
installation and coordination of the various hardware components of
the modular accessory unit, operations relating to instances from
various devices in the display, recognizing input from users, such
as touch on the display screen, keeping track of files and
directories on memory (e.g., the memory 130 as shown in FIG. 1);
and managing traffic on bus (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1). The
connection engine includes various components for establishing and
maintaining device connections, such as computer-readable
instructions for implementing communication protocols including
TCP/IP, HTTP, Ethernet.RTM., USB.RTM., and FireWire.RTM.. The
connection engine supports the pairing process between the modular
accessory unit and various modular accessory units providing
content to be displayed on the merged display unit.
[0027] Turning now to the operation of the system 100, FIG. 3
depicts a process flow diagram 300 in accordance with an example
implementation. It should be readily apparent that the processes
depicted in FIG. 3 represent generalized illustrations, and that
other processes may be added or the illustrated processes may be
removed, modified, or rearranged in many ways. Further, it should
be understood that the processes may represent executable
instructions stored on memory that may cause a processing device to
respond, to perform actions, to change states, and/or to make
decisions, for instance. Thus, the described processes may be
implemented as executable instructions and/or operations provided
by a memory associated with the computing device 300.
[0028] The illustrated process 300 begins at block 305, where a
connection is established between the display unit and at least one
other display unit through the base.
[0029] More specifically, a connection is established between a
display unit of the modular accessory system and at least one other
display unit of another modular accessory system. At block 310,
content is displayed seamlessly across the display unit and the at
least one other display unit, wherein one portion of the content is
displayed on the display unit and the other portion is displayed on
the at least one other display unit. In one implementation, the
seamless full-screen across multiple display units is managed by an
application engine. The application engine may manage interactions
between the display units in a way that two or more display units
may act as one unit, or two or more display units as
individually.
[0030] While the above disclosure has been shown and described with
reference to the foregoing examples, it should be understood that
other forms, details, and implementations may be made without
departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure that is
defined in the following claims.
* * * * *