Rack mount server with tiltable display

A rack mount server or device with an integrated display that has an adjustable viewing angle. An adjustable viewing angle allows rack mount servers and devices to be stacked and still maintain viewability of their display screens.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to adjustable displays for rack mount devices, such as 1U/2U rack mount servers, wherein the rack mount devices have a tiltably attached display to allow for better viewing angles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Rack mount devices, such as 1U/2U rack mount servers, are typically stacked on mounts to allow efficient use of space. Rack mounted devices are very common and are stacked vertically in mounts in a manner known to those skilled in the art. Referring toFIG. 1, a rack mount device100, having a front portion110, includes a display device on a user interface120. The display device typically has a flat panel LCD mounted on the front of its enclosure with the viewing screen parallel to the plane of the front of the device. When many rack mount devices are mounted on some larger racks the ability to view the display screen is lessened for devices mounted on the top or bottom of these racks. For example, because the screen is mounted parallel to the front face of the rack mount device, it is best seen from an ideal viewing angle directly in front of the screen where the view is both perpendicular to and centered on the viewing screen. This creates the viewing problem in the prior art where the devices above or below eye level are difficult to read due to the viewing angle. Most rack mount devices with displays suffer from similar shortcomings.

One solution to the viewability problem is to have a display with an adjustable brightness. This allows the viewer to adjust the harder to view screens on a higher setting to allow more visibility for poor viewing angles. However, this solution suffers from significant disadvantages. First, typical displays are LCDs which have a maximum viewing angle. Adjusting the intensity of the display only works if the viewer is still within this viewing range. This can be a disadvantage, for example, when the devices mounted near the top or bottom of the rack are outside of the viewing range.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The rack mount devices with tiltably adjustable displays described herein provide a wider optimum viewing angle for rack mount devices than those of the prior art. The devices described herein as rack mount devices or as rack mount servers can also be any of numerous other types of appliances, including but not limited to, such as a hub, a router, a switch, an amplifier, a piece of audio or video editing or recording or playback equipment. The display devices in rack mount devices are generally flat panel LCDs but may also be but not limited to any LCD, an LED, and a CRT, or any other display known to those skilled in the art.

The adjustable display device may be connected to the rack mount server or rack mount device by a movable coupling. The movable coupling can be any of numerous connections, for example, a single-hinge joint, a double-hinge joint, a multiple-hinge joint, a ball and-socket-joint, two sliding surfaces constrained to contact with each other, or any combination of these, or any other connection known to those skilled in the art. In another embodiment the movable coupling can be indexed to allow incremental adjustment through discrete steps.

In one embodiment the display device120can be tiltably attached to the front110of the rack mount device100. Referring to the drawings more particularly by reference numbers,FIG. 2shows one embodiment. In this embodiment the tiltably attached display is coupled with the rack mount device by the movable coupling. This embodiment illustrates a range of motion A, which the display can adjust through that allows a wide range of optimum viewing.

Another embodiment, as shown inFIG. 3, provides that the movable coupling of the display device120may be a ball and socket joint130. The ball and socket joint130may movably couple the display with the front110of the rack mount device or rack mount server100and allow multiple degrees of freedom of movement for the display.

In another embodiment, as shown inFIG. 4, provides that the movable coupling of the display device120may be a single hinge with one axis of rotation140. The single hinge140may mount the display with the front110of the rack mount device or rack mount server100and allow the display to adjust about one axis. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 4this axis is horizontal to allow for the viewing range to adjust vertically. Other embodiments allow the viewing range to be adjusted horizontally or along any angle ranging from the horizontal to the vertical.

Another embodiment, as shown inFIG. 5, for example, provides that the movable coupling may be a double hinge150with two axis of rotation that are perpendicular and which allow two degrees of freedom of movement of the display device120. The display device can be coupled with the rack mount server or rack mount device through the movable coupling.FIG. 5AandFIG. 5Bare top and side views of the embodiment comprising two hinges for the movable coupling.

Referring toFIG. 6, one embodiment can include a securing mechanism160such as a tightening screw in order to secure the display device from adjustment. In this embodiment the screw is configured that when it is tightened it secures the display mechanism from movement.

Referring toFIG. 7, another embodiment can include an indexed movable coupling. The indexed movable coupling allows incremental adjustment through discrete positions170. For example, the indexing may be a series of tabs that partially secures the display from movement. This embodiment would allow a plurality of semi-fixed positions that the dislpay can adjust to.

Referring toFIG. 8, an embodiment may be a rack mount server, or other computing system, comprising the tiltably attached display.FIG. 8is a block diagram of one embodiment of a computer system. The computer system illustrated inFIG. 8is intended to represent a range of computer systems. Alternative computer systems can include more, fewer and/or different components.

Computer system800includes bus801or other communication device to communicate information, and processor802coupled to bus801to process information. While computer system800is illustrated with a single processor, computer system800can include multiple processors and/or co-processors. Computer system800further includes random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device804(referred to as main memory), coupled to bus801to store information and instructions to be executed by processor802. Main memory804also can be used to store temporary variables or other intermediate information during execution of instructions by processor802.

Computer system800also includes read only memory (ROM) and/or other static storage device806coupled to bus801to store static information and instructions for processor802. Data storage device807is coupled to bus801to store information and instructions. Data storage device807such as a magnetic disk or optical disc and corresponding drive can be coupled to computer system800.

Computer system800can also be coupled via bus801to display device821, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) or liquid crystal display (LCD), to display information to a computer user. In one embodiment the display device is tiltably attached to allow a wider viewing angle. Alphanumeric input device822, including alphanumeric and other keys, is typically coupled to bus801to communicate information and command selections to processor802. Another type of user input device is cursor control823, such as a mouse, a trackball, or cursor direction keys to communicate direction information and command selections to processor802and to control cursor movement on display821. Computer system800further includes network interface830to provide access to a network, such as a local area network.

Instructions are provided to memory from a storage device, such as magnetic disk, a read-only memory (ROM) integrated circuit, CD-ROM, DVD, via a remote connection (e.g., over a network via network interface830) that is either wired or wireless, etc. In alternative embodiments, hard-wired circuitry can be used in place of or in combination with software instructions to implement the present invention. Thus, the present invention is not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software instructions.

A machine-accessible medium includes any mechanism that provides (i.e., stores and/or transmits) information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computer). For example, a machine-accessible medium includes read only memory (ROM); random access memory (RAM); magnetic disk storage media; optical storage media; flash memory devices; electrical, optical, acoustical or other form of propagated signals (e.g., carrier waves, infrared signals, digital signals); etc.