IP Library Granted Patent US 7,145,768
Granted Patent B2
US 7,145,768 · App. 10/742,378 · Granted Dec 5, 2006

Computer controlled display device

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,145,768
App. No.
10/742,378
Granted
Dec 5, 2006
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present invention is a computer controlled display device. In one embodiment, the display device includes a flat panel display having an input for receiving display data. Additionally, a moveable assembly may be coupled to the display. The moveable assembly may provide at least three degrees of freedom of movement for the flat panel display device. Additionally, the moveable assembly may have a cross-sectional area, which is substantially less than a cross-sectional area of a display structure of the flat panel display.

Claims (19)

1. A computer controlled display device, comprising:

a flat panel display having an input for receiving display data;

a moveable assembly coupled to said display, said moveable assembly providing at least three degrees of freedom of movement for said flat panel display device and having a cross-sectional area which is substantially less than a cross-sectional area of a display structure of said flat panel display, wherein said moveable assembly comprises a first dual-spring structure and a second dual-spring structure, said second dual-spring structure disposed within said first dual-spring structure, said first dual-spring structure comprising a first spring and a second spring, said first spring being intertwined with said second spring, wherein the first spring comprises a first wire and having a substantially circular cross-section, and wherein the second spring comprises a second wire.

2. The computer controlled display device of claim 1 , wherein said moveable assembly comprises a shroud about said dual-spring structure.

3. The computer controlled display device of claim 1 , wherein said dual-spring structure is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of a metal, a metal alloy, and combinations thereof.

4. The computer controlled display device of claim 1 , wherein said second wire has a substantially trapezoidal cross-section.

5. The computer controlled display device of claim 1 , wherein said dual-spring structure comprises a first end and a second end, said second end being proximate to said flat panel display, wherein a first coil diameter of said first end is greater than a second coil diameter of said second end.

6. The computer controlled display device of claim 1 , wherein said first spring comprises a wire having a first end and a second end, said second end being proximate to said flat panel display, wherein a first diameter of said wire at said first end is greater than a second diameter of said wire at said second end.

7. The computer controlled display device of claim 1 , wherein disposed within said moveable assembly is one of a data cable and a power cable.

8. A computer controlled display device system, comprising:

a flat panel display having a display surface and an input for receiving display data to be displayed on said display surface;

a moveable assembly coupled mechanically to said flat panel display, said moveable assembly having a cross-sectional area which is substantially less than an area of said display surface, said moveable assembly being moveable to allow said flat panel display to be selectively positioned in space relative to a user of said computer controlled display system, wherein said moveable assembly comprises a first dual-spring structure and a second dual-spring structure, said second dual-spring structure disposed within said first dual-spring structure, said first dual-spring structure comprising a first spring and a second spring, said first spring being intertwined with said second spring, wherein the first spring comprises a first wire and having a substantially circular cross-section, and wherein the second spring comprises a second wire; and

a base coupled mechanically to said moveable assembly and to said flat panel display through said moveable assembly, said base housing computer components comprising a microprocessor, a memory, a bus, an 1/0 (input/output) controller, and an I/0 port, wherein said microprocessor is coupled to said input of said that panel display.

9. The computer controlled display system of claim 8 , wherein said moveable assembly comprises a shroud about said dual-spring structure.

10. The computer controlled display system of claim 8 , wherein said dual-spring structure is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of a metal, a metal alloy, and combinations thereof.

11. The computer controlled display device of claim 8 , wherein said second wire has a substantially trapezoidal cross-section.

12. The computer controlled display system of claim 1 , wherein said dual-spring structure comprises a first end and a second end, said second end being proximate to said flat panel display, wherein a first coil diameter of said first end is greater than a second coil diameter of said second end.

13. The computer controlled display system of claim 1 , wherein said first spring comprises a wire having a first end and a second end, said second end being proximate to said flat panel display, wherein a first diameter of said wire at said first end is greater than a second diameter of said wire at said second end.

14. The computer controlled display system of claim 1 , wherein disposed within said moveable assembly is one of a data cable and a power cable.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Oct 1, 2007
From: APPLE COMPUTER, INC., A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION
To: APPLE INC.
Reel/Frame 019920/0526 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 19, 2003
From: HILLMAN, MICHAEL D.; MCBROOM, MICHAEL D.; MCBROOM, DANIEL L.; SUDDERTH, BRIAN T.; ANDRE, BARTLEY K.; STRINGER, CHRISTOPHER; RICCIO, DANIEL; KIM, SUNG; JUE, CLIFF; CHENG, LARRY; KAPLAN, JON; SUN, RICKSON; YURCHENCO, JIM
To: APPLE COMPUTER, INC.
Reel/Frame 014834/0832 →