IP Library Granted Patent US 9,973,736
Granted Patent B2
US 9,973,736 · App. 14/768,616 · Granted May 15, 2018

Mobile workstation having navigation camera

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,973,736
App. No.
14/768,616
Granted
May 15, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

A mobile computer workstation includes a base assembly including a plurality of wheels, an adjustable column assembly mounted to the base assembly and adapted to support a computer monitor, and a camera configured to communicate a video signal, the camera being mounted on the workstation such that a line of sight of the camera is directed rearward from the computer monitor. The workstation further includes a computing device stored within the workstation operatively coupled to the camera and the computer monitor. The computing device is configured to determine whether the workstation is moving based on a comparison of a sensed motion of the workstation and a predetermined motion threshold and, in response to the comparison, initiate the camera, receive the video signal from the camera, and display the video signal on the computer monitor.

Claims (34)

1. A mobile computer workstation comprising:

a base assembly including a plurality of wheels;

an adjustable column assembly mounted to the base assembly and adapted to support a computer monitor;

a camera configured to communicate a video signal, the camera being mounted on the workstation such that a line of sight of the camera is directed rearward from the computer monitor;

a computing device stored within the workstation operatively coupled to the camera and the computer monitor, the computing device configured to:

determine whether the workstation is moving based on a comparison of a sensed motion of the workstation and a predetermined motion threshold; and

in response to the comparison:

initiate the camera;

receive the video signal from the camera; and

display the video signal on the computer monitor.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a motion sensor configured to sense a first sensed motion of the workstation.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the motion sensor communicates the first sensed motion to the computing device.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the computing device, in response to the first sensed motion being greater than the motion threshold, initiates the camera and displays the video signal on the computer monitor.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the motion sensor communicates a second sensed motion of the workstation.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the computing device, in response to the second sensed motion being less than the motion threshold, deactivates the camera and returns the workstation to a normal operating mode.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the camera is mounted a camera mount extending from the workstation such that the camera mount places the camera in a position near an edge of the computer monitor.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the camera is mounted on a swivel coupled to the camera mount and wherein the camera is rotatably movable between a first position and a second position.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the camera is manually rotated by a user of the workstation between the first position and the second position.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein the camera is automatically rotated between the first position and the second position in response to a sensed motion of the workstation.

11. A method for displaying a video image on a computer monitor of a mobile computer workstation comprising:

comparing a sensed motion of the workstation and a predetermined motion threshold,

determining, in response to the comparison, whether the workstation is moving;

initiating, in response to the determination, a camera configured to communicate a video signal, the camera being mounted on the workstation such that a line of sight of the camera is directed rearward from the computer monitor;

receiving, in response to initiating the camera, the video signal; and

displaying the video signal on the computer monitor.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising sensing a first sensed motion of the workstation.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising receiving the first sensed motion.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising initiating the camera and displaying the video signal on the computer monitor in response to the first sensed motion being greater than the motion threshold.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising receiving a second sensed motion of the workstation.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising deactivating the camera and returning the workstation to a normal operating mode in response to the second sensed motion being less than the motion threshold.

17. The method of claim 11 further comprising mounting the camera on a camera mount extending from the workstation such that the camera mount places the camera in a position near an edge of the computer monitor.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising mounting the camera a swivel coupled to the camera mount and wherein the camera is rotatably movable between a first position and a second position.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising manually rotating, by a user of the workstation, the camera between the first position and the second position.

20. The method of claim 18 further comprising automatically rotating, the camera between the first position and the second position in response to a sensed motion of the workstation.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 31, 2016
From: INTERMETRO INDUSTRIES CORPORATION
To: TOUCHPOINT MEDICAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 038749/0749 →