WO2007006822A2

WO2007006822A2 - Device for lifting and retracting a flat screen comprising an image capture camera

Info

Publication number: WO2007006822A2
Application number: PCT/ES2006/000297
Authority: WO
Inventors: Montserrat Romero Font; David Rovalo Navarro
Original assignee: Avialec, Sl
Priority date: 2005-07-08
Filing date: 2006-05-26
Publication date: 2007-01-18
Also published as: WO2007006822A3; ES1061088Y; ES1061088U

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for lifting and retracting a flat screen comprising an image capture camera. The invention comprises a flat screen (1) which is connected to a support (4) by means of guide elements (6, 17) which guide the movements of the screen (1) in relation to the support (4) and actuation means (7, 18) which are connected and disposed such as to actuate the movements of the flat screen (19 between a storage position, in which it is concealed inside the support (4), and an operating position, in which the screen (1) is visible from outside the support (4). The invention also comprises a camera consisting of an optical device (8) which is associated with a photoelectric sensor. According to the invention, at least the optical device (8) is connected to the screen (1) such that it moves together with the screen (1) between the storage position and the operating position in which the optical device (8) is in an operative configuration together with the flat screen (1) on the external side of the support (4).

Description

ELEVATION AND REMOVAL DEVICE OF A FLAT SCREEN INCLUDING AN IMAGE RECEIVING CAMERA

Field of the technique The present invention generally concerns a device for lifting and retracting a flat screen including an image capture camera and optionally also one or more speakers and a microphone. The device can perform said elevation and retraction of the flat screen and the camera in a vertical manner, with the possibility of varying the inclination in order to adapt the viewing angle, or in a rotating manner, the flat screen being integrated into a surface of support in a collapsed position, both with the screen facing up and down. The device is useful, for example, in congress halls and the like equipped with videoconferencing systems.

Background of the invention

^{^} Utility Model ES-A-1057078, of the present inventors, describes a device comprising a housing capable of housing a flat screen, such as, for example, a computer monitor, with means for raising said flat screen from the inside the housing to a working position and retracting said screen from said working position to a secure storage position inside the housing, and optionally, means that allow to vary the inclination of the screen when it is in the working position to adapt the viewing angle thereof.

The use of videoconferencing in meeting rooms, congress halls, etc. is increasingly widespread, and its implementation implies the use of an image capture camera arranged to capture the image of the person or people who are in front of the screen . Desktop monitor screens that incorporate a camera in its housing are known in the market.

There is, however, the need to have a lifting and retractable flat panel system provided with an image capture camera associated with the flat screen and capable of adopting, together with the screen flat, storage and working positions, facilitating space saving and preventing the system from being exposed to possible bumps and scratches, when not in use.

Exhibition of the invention

The present invention contributes to cover the above and other needs by providing a device for lifting and retracting a flat screen including an image capture camera. The device is of the type comprising a flat screen linked to a support by guide means adapted to guide movements of said flat screen in relation to said support; and actuating means connected and arranged to drive said movements of the flat screen between a storage position, in which the flat screen is hidden in a housing on an inner side of the support and a working position, in which the screen flat is visible on an outer side of the support outside said housing. The device of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises an image capture camera composed of an optical device and a photoelectric sensor conveniently associated, at least said optical device being mechanically associated with the flat screen housing in such a way that the device The optical device is displaced together with the flat screen between said storage position, in which the optical device is hidden in the housing on said inner side of the support, and the working position, in which the optical device is in an operative situation together with The flat screen on said outer side of the support outside the housing. The mentioned support can be a furniture element, such as, for example, the tabletop, a desk, the back part of the back of a seat, etc., in which case the lifting movement would be carried out upwards. However, the support can also be, for example, a ceiling of a room or a cabin, in which case the ejection movement would be carried out downwards, although in this memory the term "elevation" will be used generically to make reference to the action of putting the flat screen in an operative position, whether it implies an upward or downward movement, and both vertically and by a rotation of more than 90 °. The movements of elevation and retraction of the flat screen that the camera carries can be interchangeably in several ways. In an exemplary embodiment, the lifting and retracting movements are linear, generally in a vertical direction, and optionally offer the possibility of regulating the angle of inclination of the screen in relation to the outer surface of the support. In another embodiment, the lifting and retracting movements are rotatable with respect to an axis parallel to a lower edge of the flat screen and close to the outer surface of the support, so that, in a collapsed position, the flat screen is substantially integrated into the support, comprising the possibility that it is oriented both towards the interior of the storage and towards the ceiling, and in the latter case, it would be protected by a glass in order to avoid knocks and scratches.

The flat screen considered is selected from a group comprising: an LCD - TFT monitor; a Plasma monitor; a flat screen monitor of OLED technology and in general is not limited to the applicable technology, provided that it allows a reduced thickness.

For some applications, al. less the optical device is integrated in a flat screen housing together with the photoelectric sensor, and the photoelectric sensor connections, both signal and power, are hidden in the flat screen housing. In other applications, however, the image capture camera is externally attached to the flat screen housing and could even be detachable from the flat screen when the flat screen is in the working position. Preferably, the image capture camera, if it were detachable from the screen, would remain connected at all times to the flat screen by cable, although there is no technical limitation for such connection to be made by a wireless system, for example, bluetooth, infrared, radio

In an exemplary embodiment, the photoelectric sensor signal connection is independent of the flat screen signal connection, and the photoelectric sensor and the flat screen can be connected to the same electronic device or to different electronic devices, so that in an area of the monitor screen can show the image captured by the image capture camera and in another area another image from the corresponding electronic device. In another embodiment, the signal connection of the photoelectric sensor is linked to the signal connection of the flat panel.

Optionally, the device includes one or more speakers and a microphone integrated in the housing of the flat screen and connected to the system. Alternatively, one or more audio outputs and inputs for connection of one or more speakers or headphones or microphones and at least one audio input for connection of a microphone can be arranged in the flat screen housing. The device is ready to be controlled by a remote control

(selected from a group that includes: an infrared transmitter-receiver device; a connection through an RS-232 serial port; a computer network connection; a wireless connection, among others) capable of controlling the functions of the flat panel and the functions of the optical device. This remote control can be, for example, of the type that includes an infrared transmitter-receiver device, or a connection through an RS-232 serial port through which the on and off of the camera and the functions can be controlled. of the same, the functions of the monitor, the audio functions in case they are incorporated, and the operation of the lifting and retracting device of the flat screen.

Thus, a device with the characteristics of the present invention provides a large number of advantages:

. - When they are in the storage position, both the flat screen and the image capture camera are hidden, protected and free of dirt and dust.

- Allows you to optimize the available space by integrating the device into furniture elements, ceilings, shelves, etc.

- It allows a saving of wiring by integrating the image capture camera, and, if necessary, speakers and microphone, into the flat panel housing itself.

- The integrated system is intrinsically more robust, since it avoids the dispersion of components, external wiring and connectors. - The integrated system prevents possible intentional damage, theft or sabotage.

- It allows to concentrate multiple connectors in a small space, which facilitates the connection. - It is simple and direct to use, since, for example, it allows you to start a videoconference by simply pressing a button, which facilitates its operation to non-expert users.

- The device can be commanded remotely.

- It allows displaying two video sources simultaneously in two areas of the flat screen monitor, one of them being provided by the image capture camera.

Brief description of the drawings

The foregoing and other advantages and features will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of some examples of embodiment with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of the device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a front view of the device of Fig. 1 with the flat screen in the working position.

Fig. 3 is a schematic side view of the device according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 4 is a front view of the device of Fig. 3 with the flat screen in the working position; and Fig. 5 and 6 show according to schematic side views, another alternative embodiment of the device of the present invention

Detailed description of some embodiments

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2, the lifting and retracting device of a flat screen 1 including an image capturing camera, according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprises a frame 2 that is linked to a support 4, said frame 2 being provided of an opening 5 facing an opening of said support 4. Said flat screen 1 is mounted on a mobile support 16 arranged to run along guide means 6 fixed in said frame 2 and arranged to linearly guide movements of the flat screen 1 through said opening 5. The device includes drive means 7 for driving said displacements of the flat screen 1, which comprise a belt 12 mounted between two pulleys 13, 14 and an electric motor 15 coupled to selectively rotate one of said two pulleys 13 in both directions. Thus, an activation of said motor 15 of the drive means 7 allows the movements of the flat screen 1 to be activated between a storage position, in which the flat screen 1 is hidden inside the support 4 so that it is perfectly protected, housed in the frame 2, and a working position, in which the flat screen 1 is visible on an outer side of the support 4, em erected of the frame 2. Thus, the frame 2 acts as a housing for the flat screen 1 in the storage position.

Fig. 1 shows by means of continuous lines the device with the flat screen (not visible) in the storage position, and by dashed lines the flat screen 1 in the working position. Fig. 2 shows the flat screen 1 in the working position. Optionally, the frame 2 is linked to the support 4 by a rotation axis 3 which makes it possible to vary the inclination of the flat screen 1 in relation to said support 4 by manually rotating the frame 2 on said rotation axis 3, which allows to adapt the viewing angle of the flat screen 1 in said working position. Fig. 1 shows in dashed lines an example of an inclined position 1a, 2a that can be adopted by the flat screen 1 and the frame 2 in relation to the support 4.

The device according to the present invention comprises an image capture camera composed of an optical device 8 and a photoelectric sensor (not shown) conveniently linked. At least said optical device 8 is associated with the flat screen 1 in such a way that the optical device 8 is moved together with the flat screen 1 between said storage position, in which the optical device 8 is hidden on said inner side of the support 4, housed in the frame 2, and the position of work, in which the optical device 8 is in an operative situation together with the flat screen 1 emerging from the frame 2, on said outer side of the support 4 (Fig. 2). The optical device 8 can be of any type of habitually used for image capture cameras provided with a photoelectric sensor, such as, for example, a fixed lens system, a variable lens system or an interchangeable lens system. The photoelectric sensor can be, for example, a CCD photoelectric sensor or a triple CCD, optical ram, photoelectric motion sensor or a set of thermal sensors. The photoelectric sensor may be adjacent to the optical device 8 to directly capture the light through it, or in a separate section, in which case a fiber optic device is arranged to drive light from said optical device 8 to said photoelectric sensor. The set of optical device 8 and photoelectric sensor can constitute an IP camera for direct connection to a computer network. Preferably, the flat screen 1 comprises an LCD monitor -

TFT provided with a housing 9 which in its front part defines a frame around the monitor, and the optical device 8 is integrated in a front part of said frame of the housing 9, either in a centered or off-center upper position, or lateral. The optical device is preferably oriented in a fixed direction suitable for capturing one or more people located in front of the flat screen 1, though _. optionally the optical device 8 can be orientable in relation to the housing 9 of the flat screen 1. The LCD image device can optionally be updated periodically, passing from the current TFT technology to other new imaging technologies that appear, such as for example, the PLASMA or OLED technology.

In this exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the device further comprises a pair of speakers 10 and a microphone 11 integrated in the housing 9 of the flat screen 1. If preferred, the device may incorporate a microphone and one or more external speakers or headphones connected respectively to corresponding audio input and output arranged in the housing 9 of the flat screen 1, in addition to, or instead of said loudspeaker 10 and microphone 11 integrated in the housing 9. It is preferred that the photoelectric sensor signal connection be independent of the signal connection of the flat screen 1, which allows the photoelectric sensor and the flat screen 1 to be connected to different electronic devices or to the same electronic device. However, the signal connection of the photoelectric sensor can also be linked to the signal connection of the flat screen 1. Similarly, the power connections of the photoelectric sensor and the flat screen 1 can be independent or be the first linked to the second.

Advantageously, the device of the present invention is adapted to be remotely controlled by a remote control, for example, by a computer program connected through an Internet or Ethernet network using an infrared transmitter-receiver device or a connection through of an RS-232 serial port. This remote control allows to control some functions of the flat screen 1, functions of the image capture camera, and, if necessary, microphone and speaker functions. For example, by means of the remote control, an operator in charge of the system can send images to be shown on the flat screen 1, can modify the orientation and zoom of the optical device 8, can capture sound through the microphone 11 and send sound contents to through the speakers 10, all this in order that the user in front of the flat panel 1 can follow, for example, a videoconference, without needing to be an expert in telecommunications systems.

In Figs. 3 and 4 another alternative embodiment of the device of the present invention is shown. Here, the main difference in relation to the embodiment described above with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 is that the guiding means that link the flat screen 1 with the support 4 comprise an articulation 17 along an axis parallel to a lower edge of the flat screen 1 and close to an outer surface of the support 4. In this example of embodiment, the device includes a lifting and retracting mechanism that includes drive means, indicated generically by the numerical reference 18, provided with a motor (not shown) and corresponding transmissions (not shown) connected to the flat screen 1 Thus, an activation of said engine of those mentioned actuation means 18 allows the movements of the flat screen 1 to be activated between the storage and working positions. These movements consist of a rotation around said joint 19. In Fig. 3 the storage position 1a of the flat screen 1 is shown in dashed lines, in which the flat screen 1 is folded down and housed in a housing 19 formed in the inner part of the support 4, next to the outer surface of the support 4, the flat screen 1 being substantially integrated in the support surface 4. Fig. 3 shows in continuous lines the working position of the flat screen 1 In Figs. 5 and 6 another alternative embodiment of the device of the present invention is shown, where the housing 9 of the flat screen 1 is mounted on a folding frame 20 and the guiding means that link the flat screen 1 with the support 4 comprise a articulation 21 along an axis parallel to a lower edge of the frame 20 away from the flat screen 1 and close to an outer surface of the support 4. The lifting and retracting mechanism includes a linear actuator, such as for example an electric nut motor and spindle 22, or a dynamic fluid cylinder, connected between the support 4 and the

; frame 20. An activation of the motor 20 rotates frame assembly 20 and flat screen 1 around. The articulation 21 between a working position,. shown in Fig. 5, in which the flat screen 1 is emerged and with a certain inclination with respect to the support 4, and a storage position, shown in Fig. 6, in which the flat screen 1 is housed in a housing 23 on an inner side of the support 4 and a rear plate 24 of the frame 20 closes the housing 23 and gives continuity to the outer surface of the support 4.

Regarding the characteristics of the image capture camera, and the optional audio system, the embodiment shown in Figs. 3 and 4 is equivalent to the embodiment described above in relation to Figs. 1 and 2, and its detailed description will be omitted. However, in Fig. 4 an alternative arrangement of the speakers 10 and microphone 11 located on the lower side of the frame is shown. In any case it should be noted that the optical device 8, the speaker or speakers 10 and the microphone 11 may be located in a variety of positions regardless of the lifting and retracting mechanism used.

One skilled in the art will be able to introduce variations and modifications in the examples of embodiment shown and described without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

In particular it will be understood that the optical device 8, referred to, may be selected from a group comprising Device, according to claim 1, characterized in that said optical device (8) is selected from a group comprising: a fixed lens system; a variable lens system; an interchangeable lens system.

Likewise said photoelectric sensor is selected from a group comprising: a CCD photoelectric sensor; a triple CCD; Optical ram; photoelectric motion sensor; thermal sensor To drive light from said optical device (8) to said photoelectric sensor, a lens system or a fiber optic device may be used.

The aforementioned image capture camera is selected from a group comprising: an IP camera; a USB camera; a remote camera; A video camera; a thermal chamber; a digital camera.

Claims

1.- Device for lifting and retracting a flat screen including an image capture camera, the device of the type comprising a flat screen (1) linked to a support (4) by guide means (6, 17) adapted to guide movements of said flat screen (1) in relation to said support (4); and actuating means (7, 18) connected and arranged to drive said movements of the flat screen (1) between a storage position, in which the flat screen (1) is hidden in a housing on an inner side of the support (4) and a working position, in which the flat screen (1) is visible on an outer side of the support (4) outside said housing, characterized in that it comprises an image capture camera composed of an optical device (8 ) and a photoelectric sensor conveniently associated, at least said optical device (8) being linked to the flat screen (1) in such a way that the optical device (8) is moved together with the flat screen (1) between said position of storage, in which the optical device (8) is hidden in the housing, on said inner side of the support (4), and the working position, in which the optical device (8) is in an operative situation together with the screen flat (1) on said outer side of the support (4), outside the housing.

2. Device, according to claim 1, characterized in that the optical device (8) is integrated in a front part of a housing (9) of the flat screen (1) to capture one or more people facing the screen flat (1).

3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the optical device (8) is orientable in relation to the flat screen (1).

4.τ Device, according to claim 1, characterized in that it incorporates at least one speaker (10) and a microphone (11) integrated in said housing (9) of the flat screen (1).

5. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one audio input and an audio output associated with a housing (9) of the flat screen (1) for connection of a microphone and one or more speakers or headphones, respectively. ES2006 / 000297

- 12 -

6. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said optical device (8) is selected from a group comprising: a fixed lens system; a variable lens system; an interchangeable lens system.

7. Device, according to claim 6, characterized in that said photoelectric sensor is selected from a group comprising: a CCD photoelectric sensor; a triple CCD; Optical ram; photoelectric motion sensor; thermal sensor

8. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises a lens system or a fiber optic device for conducting light from said optical device (8) to said photoelectric sensor.

9. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said flat screen (1) is selected from a group comprising: an LCD-TFT monitor; a Plasma monitor; an OLED technology flat screen monitor.

10. Device, according to claim 1, characterized in that said image capture camera is selected from a group comprising: an IP camera; a USB camera; a remote camera; A video camera; a thermal chamber; a digital camera.

11.- Device, according to claim 1, characterized in that

The signal connection of the photoelectric sensor is independent of the signal connection of the flat screen (1), the photoelectric sensor and the flat screen (1) being connected to the same electronic device or to different electronic devices.

12. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that:

The signal connection of the photoelectric sensor is linked to the signal connection of the flat panel (1);

13. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that: the power connection of the photoelectric sensor is independent of the power connection of the flat panel (1).

14. Device, according to claim 1, characterized in that the power connection of the photoelectric sensor is linked to the power connection of the flat panel (1).

15. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a remote control to control functions of the flat screen (1) and / or to control functions of the image capture camera.

16. Device according to claim 15, characterized in that said remote control is selected from a group that includes: an infrared transmitter-receiver device; a connection through an RS-232 serial port; a computer network connection; a wireless connection

17. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the flat screen (1) is mounted on a frame (2) linked to the support (4) and provided with an opening (5) facing an opening of the support (4) ), wherein said guide means (6) are fixed to the frame (2) and arranged to linearly guide the movements of the flat screen (1) through said opening (5) between said storage and working positions.

18. Device according to claim 17, characterized in that the frame (2) is linked to the support (4) by a rotation axis (3) which makes it possible to vary the inclination of the flat screen (1) in relation to said support (4) rotating the frame (2) on said axis of rotation (3) to adjust the viewing angle of the flat screen (1) in said working position.

19. Device according to claim 17, characterized in that said drive means (7) for driving the movements of the flat screen (1) comprise a belt (12) mounted between two pulleys (13,

14) and an electric motor (15) coupled to selectively rotate one of said two pulleys (13, 14) in both directions, the flat screen (1) being mounted on a mobile support (16) fixed to said belt (12) and arranged to run along said guide means (6) of the frame (2).

20. Device, according to claim 1, characterized in that said guide means (17) that link the flat screen (1) with the support (4) comprise an articulation (17) along an axis parallel to a lower-edge of the flat screen (1) and close to an outer surface of the support (4).

21. Device according to claim 20, characterized in that said drive means (18) for activating the movements of the flat screen (1) comprise a motor and transmission means coupled to rotate the flat screen (1) around said joint (17).