PICTURE GENERATOR WITH MIRROR FOR INDIRECT VIEWING, AND DEVICE PROVIDED THEREWITH

Abstract: Device provided with a supporting structure (2), at least one mirror (4), at least one picture generator (6) which is supported by the structure (2) and, during operation, transmits pictures in a first predetermined direction (8) so that they are reflected by the at least one mirror (4) in a predetermined second direction (10), and a work surface (12) at which a user can sit in order to view the pictures which have been reflected in the second direction (10).

Description: Picture generator with mirror for indirect viewing, and device provided therewith The invention relates to a device provided with a supporting structure, at least one mirror and at least one picture generator which is supported by the structure and, during operation, transmits pictures in a first predetermined direction so that they are reflected by the at least one mirror in a predetermined second direction. Devices which are provided with a picture generator in which the user views the pictures transmitted by the picture generator indirectly via at least one mirror are known, for example, from collimated display systems which are used, for example, in flight simulators. A description of a flight simulator of this nature is given, for example, in a leaflet produced by SEOS Displays Ltd., of Marchants Way, Burgess Hill, West Sussex, RH15 8QY, England. A similar device is described in a leaflet produced by GlassMountainOptics, of 9517 Old McNeil Road, Austin, Texas, United States of America. Both of these .known systems use at least one picture generator which transmits pictures. These pictures are incident on a semi-transmitting mirror which functions as a beam splitter. Therefore, part of each picture is transmitted while the remaining part is reflected in the direction of a collimating mirror. The collimating mirror reflects the picture received and directs it back towards the semi-transmitting mirror, which then transmits sufficient picture towards the user, who is situated on the other side of the semi-transmitting mirror. An arrangement of this nature is expensive owing to the high quality standards imposed on the beam splitter and the collimating mirror. Moreover, the pictures from the picture generator are initially only partly reflected by the beam splitter and then, following reflection from the collimating mirror, are only partly transmitted through the beam splitter, a fact which inevitably entails a reduction in performance. This may result in tiredness which in turn may limit the hours worked by the user. The high costs combined with the limited working hours are acceptable for the environments for which these arrangements are intended, namely flight simulators or simulators of other types. This is because these working environments are very specifically and specially configured for a small group of professionals, such as pilots, navigators and flight engineers. Moreover, flight simulators or other simulators only vary slightly in form: aircraft cockpits, ship's bridges, lorry cabs and car cockpits all resemble one another. In addition, flight simulators or other simulators are arranged in environments which are specifically designed for the purpose, environments in which, for example, reflection of light, for example from windows, can easily be prevented. By contrast, the present invention is aimed at providing a device, for example a desk, with which a user is given an optimum view of pictures from a picture generator, partly because there is no reflected light. Therefore, the invention is definitively not aimed at specific working environments which are seldom encountered, but rather at general working environments such as those which are often to be found in office buildings or other buildings where people work wherever it is convenient, for example, where it is not possible to install machines. The invention is aimed at working environments where electronic data is visually presented to people, for example during word processing using computers or analysis of pictures from picture generators. Not only are the rooms in which such work has to be carried out often in no way intended for this purpose, but also rooms which were originally intended for this work have subsequently been rearranged (for example because more people have to work in them than was originally intended), or these rooms acquire a new function and the workers have to move to rooms which are not actually suitable for working with picture generators. Of numerous factors which change, the primary factor is the incidence of artificial light or sunlight; in this case, the major problem is that these changes are unpredictable. This imposes considerable demands on the device which the workers use to view the electronic data presentation. A first object of the invention is to provide a device of this nature. In further embodiments of the invention, another object is that the people working with electronic picture presentation are protected as far as possible from the electromagnetic radiation which this form of picture presentation inevitably entails. The ideal protection desired is threefold: firstly, the electromagnetic radiation caused by the computers and picture generators should not reach the users; secondly, electromagnetic radiation from external sources should not affect the computers and picture generators, so that there is no possibility of incorrect information being given or even of information being destroyed. Thirdly, the invention envisages protecting computers and picture generators in such a manner that it is not possible to hack into them using a suitable instrument which is able to remotely pick up the electromagnetic radiation given off during the picture presentation and redisplay the electronic data in question. To achieve the first object, the device according to the invention is characterized in that the device is further provided with a work surface at which a user can sit in order to view the pictures which have been reflected in the second direction. The invention therefore aims to achieve the objects by providing a work surface at which people can sit when processing electronically presented data. A mirror onto which the relevant picture is projected is situated within reading or viewing distance. This mirror is attached in such a manner that it forms a functional unit with the work surface; for example in a column which is fixed to the work surface or in a column which is self-supporting and is optionally partly surrounded by the work surface, so that the reading or viewing distance is optimal for the user. A mirror of this nature preferably forms an angle of approximately 45 degrees with the work surface, so that it is practically impossible for light from lamps or windows to be reflected on this mirror. The angle of 45 degrees is understood to mean the angle with respect to the work surface. Currently, this angle is usually more than 90 degrees. The surface of the screen "peeks out", i.e. is directed upwards at an angle, resulting in the sensitivity to reflected light. Therefore, most screens are provided with expensive anti-reflection coatings. In the device according to the invention, such coatings are not required, allowing cost savings to be made. If only one mirror is used (or an odd number of mirrors), it is necessary to provide electronic means for displaying the picture on the picture generator in an electronically mirrored manner, so that the user can view the picture with the correct orientation. Text or pictures can be presented by means of a display, such as for example a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube). It is also possible to use an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), also k . nown as a flat-screen. Furthermore, the electronic data can be projected, for example with the aid of an LCD screen. Text and pictures are stored in, for example, a computer or processor which also ensures that they are transmitted to the display so that the data is visible to the user. In a first embodiment, the work surface in the device as referred to by the invention may be provided with an opening, the picture generator being situated on one side of the work surface, and the at least one mirror on the other side. This saves space on the work surface. In a second embodiment, two mirrors are situated between picture generator and user, so that the user can work with the picture. If two mirrors, or an even number of mirrors, are used, there is no need for electronic orientation correction. A device according to these embodiments provides various advantages. Firstly, in particular if the picture generator is positioned beneath the work surface, the picture generator no longer takes up space on the work surface; this is important particularly if the picture generator is a monitor (CRT), since a monitor may be bulky. Positioning it beneath the work surface means that it will have much less effect on the design of the desk and its surroundings than the - often ugly - picture generators which are currently situated on top of the work surface. Furthermore, as has been stated, the picture generator no longer needs expensive coatings for preventing reflection. This is because, according to the invention, the picture generator is viewed indirectly, specifically via a mirror which forms an angle of preferably about 45 degrees with the work surface, the angle being open towards the user, so that the picture is reflected towards the user. The position of the at least one picture generator and the at least one mirror with respect to the surface at which the user is working can vary. The at least one picture generator maybe situated entirely beneath the work surface and the at least one mirror above the work surface. Therefore, an opening has to be present in the work surface for the picture which is transmitted from the at least one picture generator to the at least one mirror. In this case, the at least one mirror is situated above this opening, i.e. on that side of the work surface on which the face of the user is situated. However, the at least one picture generator may also be positioned in a recessed part of the work surface. Finally, it is possible for the at least one picture generator, optionally together with the at least one mirror, to be positioned in a structure, for example a column, which is entirely separate from the work surface but sufficiently close for the reading or viewing distance to be appropriately maintained, since otherwise the user cannot properly view the text or picture data. Consequently, it is possible to talk in terms of a functional unit. Also, the unit comprising picture generator and mirror(s) can be rotated so that it can be directed at the user in this way. The beam path during the picture reflection is the same as that which is known in similar reflection methods and is such that the user has no problem reading or analyzing the picture presented. A non-limiting example for various options for the beam path is given in the appended drawings. Preferably, the first direction in which pictures are transmitted by the picture generator towards the second mirror is at least almost parallel to the second direction. As an alternative, the first direction in which pictures are transmitted by the picture generated towards the second mirror may be at least almost perpendicular to the second direction. In both embodiments, it is possible for the pictures to be reflected from the second mirror towards the at least one mirror in a third direction which is perpendicular to the first direction and perpendicular to the second direction. These variations make it possible to adapt the arrangement of the picture generator and the mirrors to the furniture or to the wishes of the user. In order to compensate for the curvature of the glass of a CRT, the at least one mirror may be of concave design. As an alternative, the second mirror, if used, may, for this purpose, be of concave design. A concave mirror also has the advantage of producing an enlarging effect, making the picture easier to read. The device preferably comprises a desk or table. Preferably, measures are taken to ensure that the at least one mirror can as far as possible be turned towards the user in the manner desired by the user. To this end, in one embodiment, the at least one mirror is arranged on a support which can be vertically displaced with respect to the structure. For improved ease of viewing, the mirror can be optimally directed towards the user, inter alia by means of height adjustment. Providing the support with one or more light-intercepting screens will further reduce the risk of reflections, thus providing a more clearly visible picture. Utilization of the work surface by the user can be increased by pivoting or sliding away the unit comprising picture generator and mirror(s), or part of this unit. If the device is provided with a support for the at least one mirror, the mirror, including the support, can be retracted in such a manner that the mirror becomes integral with the work surface. There is no need for any stringent design demands to be imposed on the picture generator, since it cannot be seen by the user. The picture generator may therefore be a so-called rack-mount picture generator. This reduces costs considerably and also provides advantages from the environmental viewpoint, since less plastic has to be used. In order to prevent interfering reflection of light as far as possible, the structure may comprise walls which enclose the space between the picture generator and the work surface, the walls being treated so as to prevent reflection of light. Picture generator and mirror(s) form a functional unit, optionally together with a computer or processor. The computer or the processor may be situated at a distance from the picture generator. Since the picture generator must not be far from the user in order to allow it to be read and viewed, it is preliminary the electromagnetic radiation associated with this picture generator which has to be screened. Therefore, the invention provides an embodiment in which the walls are designed as a metal structure for forming a Faraday cage in which the picture generator is placed, optionally together with the first mirror. The picture from the picture generator leaves this Faraday cage, whether directly or indirectly, through a transparent window, for example. This window may be electrically connected to the rest of the cage by means of a thin, transparent layer of metal. Increasing the thickness of the Faraday cage walls will hold back not only high-frequency electromagnetic radiation, but also electromagnetic radiation of higher power, such as X-radiation. Positioning the picture generator beneath the work surface, in accordance with one of the embodiments of the invention, also offers considerable possibilities for a robust design of the Faraday cage, since, after all, it is entirely out of sight. The device is eminently suitable for placing pictures from various picture generators seamlessly next to one another. For this purpose, the device may be provided with at least one further picture generator, which is located on the same side of the work surface as the at least one picture generator. This represents a considerable improvement to the existing situation in which separate monitors arranged next to one another are used to show one larger picture and in which pictures from the various monitors are separated from one another by the edges of the said monitors. According to the invention, only the pictures from the picture generators are reflected, without the edges of the picture generators. By combining the mirrors suitably, pictures from various picture generators can be combined seamlessly and, more over, with the correct orientation. With the same object in mind, in an embodiment of the device according to the invention the second mirror is of semi-transmitting design, and the at least one further picture generator transmits pictures towards the second mirror in a fourth direction which is parallel to the third direction. The pictures from the picture generator and the at least one further picture generator are combined by the semi-transmitting mirror and are reflected towards the user by the at least one mirror. By ensuring that, in the reflected picture, the pixels from the picture generator which have been oriented in a specific direction are perpendicular to the pixels from the at least one further picture generator which have been oriented in a specific direction, it is possible to improve the quality of the resulting picture. The quality of the alpha numeric symbols displayed will be particularly improved, making text easier to read. In a further embodiment, the device is furthermore provided with input hardware which communicates, by means of reflection, with associated receivers within the housing. This input hardware can be used, for example, to input various settings for the picture generator. In the simplest embodiment of the invention, the work surface does not have an opening and the at least one mirror and the at least one picture generator are positioned on the work surface. This makes it much easier to adapt existing desks, since there is no need to make an opening in the work surface. The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to a number of drawings. It will be obvious that the figures are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, but merely to illustrate the invention. Fig. 1 shows a cross section through a desk with a picture generator and a mirror according to the present invention; Fig. 2 shows a variant of the device of Fig. 1 , in which two mirrors, one of which may be concave, are used; Fig. 3 shows an alternative arrangement of the device of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 shows an arrangement of a desk according to the invention, in which the pictures from two picture generators are joined together seamlessly; Fig. 5 shows a cross section through a desk, in which the unit comprising picture generator, optionally located inside a Faraday cage, and mirror(s) is positioned on the intact work surface; Fig. 6 shows an alternative structure for supporting the unit comprising picture generator, optionally located inside a Faraday cage, and mirror (s), it being possible for this unit to be rotated and positioned at a different angle with respect to the work surface; Fig. 7 shows a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, in which the second mirror is of semi-transmitting design. The device according to the invention preferably relates to a desk or table 2, as illustrated in Fig. 1. The desk 2 is provided with a work surface 12, which is supported in the usual way by one or more legs 7. Naturally, other support means may also be used as an alternative to legs 7. It can be seen from the cross section shown in Fig. 1 that the desk 2 is provided with an opening 14 in the work surface 12. A picture generator 6 is positioned in the supporting structure 2 on the underside, as seen by the user, of the work surface 12. The picture generator 6 can be controlled in a known manner, for example by means of a computer which, for the sake of simplicity, is considered to form part of the picture generator 6 and is therefore also situated on the underside of the work surface. Input and output parts of the computer which require direct interaction with the user (such as keyboard, mouse and the like) must, of course, be placed on the work surface 12. That section of the supporting structure 2 which is situated beneath the work surface 12 may be provided with walls 16 which partially or completely enclose the picture generator. The opening 14 may be completely open or may be covered by means of a transparent panel 15, which is made, for example, from Plexiglas. In addition to Plexiglas, other light-transparent materials may also be used. It is necessary to cover the opening if a picture generator 6 is placed in the supporting structure 2, in which case the walls 16 have to form a Faraday cage. A Faraday cage of this nature has to form a barrier both for the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the picture generator (and, if appropriate, also by a computer) and for the electromagnetic radiation from external sources situated outside the walls 16. In the case of a Faraday cage, opening 14 not only has to be closed off in a light-transparent manner, but moreover the transparent material must be provided with a layer, for example a metallic layer, which is connected in an electrically conductive manner to the electrically conductive walls 16. A layer of this nature must be transparent to light. Moreover, the walls 16 may be made suitable for blocking high-power electromagnetic radiation, such as X-radiation. Furthermore, the device is provided with a mirror 4 which is fixed to a pillar 3, preferably with the aid of a hinge 9. The mirror 4 can therefore be moved to and fro in a direction indicated by the double arrow. If desired, the pillar 3 can be omitted and the hinge 9 can be attached to the work surface 12. If desired, the pillar 3 may be provided with suitable light-intercepting screens (not shown) which absorb incident light from extreme angles before this light causes interfering reflection via the mirror 4. As can be seen in Fig. 1 , as viewed by the user, the picture generator 6 is situated beneath the work surface 12. In Fig. 1, the picture generator 6 is disposed in such a manner that it transmits pictures towards the mirror 4 in a direction 8. The mirror 4 reflects the picture from the picture generator towards the user in a direction 10. Preferably, the direction 8 is perpendicular to the plane of the work surface 12 and the direction 10 is parallel to the plane of the work surface 12. However, any other direction may be set as desired. Furthermore, the walls 16 maybe partially or completely made from an electromagnetically conductive material, for example metal, which is optionally earthed. The result is the Faraday cage effect which has already been described above. The transparent panel 15 is then preferably not only transparent to light, but is also connected in an electrically conductive manner to the rest of the Faraday cage. To this end, the panel 15 must be made partly or completely of electrically conductive material, and there must be a good electrical connection to the rest of the Faraday cage. Also, a transparent, electrically conductive layer may be arranged on the panel 15 so as to provide good electrical connection to the rest of the Faraday cage. The space formed by the walls 16, which may be in the form of a Faraday cage, provides sufficient space for separate features such as cooling and ventilation; owing to the fact that soundproofing material can be used, the noise annoyance can be limited more successfully than would be possible without the invention. Furthermore, the space formed by the walls 16, which may be in the form of a Faraday cage, may also be made suitable for containing additional hardware as well as the picture generator, such as computers, fax machines, dictaphone and telephone. In that case, only the necessary input devices, such as a keyboard/mouse, microphone and telephone speaker/microphone will be situated on the work surface 12. If desired, these input means may communicate with the equipment in the space formed by the walls 16, optionally in the form of a Faraday cage, without using wires, for example with the aid of infrared rays. These infrared rays may, for example, be directed appropriately onto the relevant receiver via the mirror 4 or via additional small mirrors (not shown) on pillar 3. Disc units which may form part of the above mentioned computer, such as floppy disc drives or CD ROM drives, must remain within easy reach for the user. This can be achieved by constructing them so that they can be pivoted out on the work surface, for example in association with opening 14; these disc units may also be incorporated in the keyboard, in which case they transmit their data to the appropriate receivers by means of infrared rays and reflection, for example via pillar 3. As an alternative, the disc units may be accommodated in the pillar 3, making them readily accessible to the user and integrated in the furniture. In addition, the Faraday cage can be extended so that it also comprises the disc units, so that the above mentioned advantages of the Faraday cage are maintained. In Figs. 2 to 6, identical reference numerals to those used in Fig. 1 refer to the same components. They will not be described again. Only the components which have not already been mentioned are explained below. In general, the device according to the invention offers all the possibilities of picture reflection which are known and are used in various items of equipment. However, without the device according to the invention these options cannot be offered to people working with the visual presentation of electronic data by means of picture generators. A difference between the arrangement of Fig. 2 and the arrangement shown in Fig. 1 is the presence of an additional mirror 24, which is situated on the same side of the work surface 12 as the picture generator 6. This provides more possible options for locating the picture generator 6. Inter alia, this method is able to provide more leg room for the user. Mirror 24 can be made concave in order to compensate for the curvature of the glass of a CRT, with the result that mirror 4 can then be kept planar, so that it can form a flat surface with the work surface 12 in the folded-down position. Furthermore, a concave mirror has an enlarging effect, making the reflected picture easier to read. A difference between the arrangement of Fig. 3 and the arrangement shown in Fig. 2 is the position of mirror 4. This has been rotated through 90 degrees, directed towards the user, with the left knee of the user in the vicinity of the picture generator 6. Fig. 4 shows an arrangement according to the invention in which two picture generators 6 and 26 are used. In a preferred embodiment, the arrangement in accordance of Fig. 4 represents a double design of the arrangement in accordance with Fig. 3, apart from the fact that the picture generator 26 is rotated through 180 degrees with respect to the picture generator 6. The picture generator 26 transmits its pictures towards a mirror 28 in a direction 8'. In this way, the device according to the invention makes it possible, in a simple manner, to present pictures from two picture generators seamlessly next to one another. This is highly important, for example in order to be able to compare two texts simultaneously: for example, the Dutch text on the left and the English translation on the right; or two pictures: an unprocessed picture on the left and a processed, amended picture on the right. In this arrangement, the mirrors 24, 28 have a common line 30, namely in the corner defined by mirrors 24, 28. The mirrors 24, 28 may, with the same result, also have only a point in common. In this case, mirror 28 is to be rotated through 90 degrees, preferably in such a direction that the picture generator 26 is then situated to the other side of mirror 28, as far away as possible from the user who is viewing the pictures 27 and 29 and is sitting on this side of the work surface 12, with his/her left knee in the vicinity of picture generator 6. Obviously, it is possible to use more than two monitors. Fig. 5 shows the simplest design of the invention, in which a flat screen 30 of any known type is placed on a work surface 12. The picture transmitted by the flat screen 30 is reflected towards a user via a mirror 4 which is connected to the flat screen 30. Obviously, the mirror 4 may alternatively be attached to the work surface 12. The mirror 4 preferably forms an angle of 45 degrees with the work surface. This orientation will prevent the mirror from reflecting any direct light from windows or lamps on the ceiling of a room towards the user. As an alternative, the flat screen 30 is positioned in a recessed section (not shown) of the work surface 12. It is then possible, just as in embodiments which have been described above, for the mirror 4 to be folded down or away when the flat screen 30 is not in use, resulting in a flat work surface 12. Fig. 6 shows a variant of the pillar 3. In Fig. 6, the pillar 3 is of telescopic design, for example with two telescopic parts 3 ' and 3 " . If desired, the bottom part 3 ' ' is mounted pivotably by means of a hinge 31. The hinge 31 is fixed to a rotatable ring 32 which is attached to the work surface 12. The walls 16, optionally as a Faraday cage, may be fixed to 3". The unit comprising mirror 4, telescopic parts 3', 3", hinge 31, and Faraday cage including the window 15 can be pushed to and fro with respect to the work surface 12 in order to achieve an optimum reading distance. Moreover, the unit can be rotated by means of the rotatable ring 32, in such a manner that the picture is reflected towards a different side, for example towards someone sitting next to or opposite the user. The telescopic parts 3', 3" can be slid into one another in such a manner that the rearside of the mirror 4 coincides substantially entirely with the top of the work surface 12. Under these circumstances, the user has a flat work surface and is not impeded by any projecting parts of the device. Hitherto, the figures have only shown arrangements in which the reflection is such that either a solitary picture is formed or two pictures are formed seamlessly next to one another. However, the device according to the invention also makes it possible to reflect the pictures from two different picture generators towards only one mirror; in this case, the user is viewing a superimposed picture which has been put together from the two different pictures. Wherever the two pictures are identical, the superimposed picture shows a focused picture. However, wherever the two pictures differ, the superimposed picture is disturbed. This option provides considerable advantages which cannot be discussed exhaustively here. For this reason, a single example is described. If it is assumed that it is desired to compare a text in which there are all kinds of errors with the text in which these errors are supposed to have been corrected, the correction checking is very simple; the uncorrected text with the correction marks is displayed on one picture generator and the corrected text is displayed on the other. Therefore, it will be immediately apparent from the superimposed picture which correction marks have been omitted. Alternatively, there is the case of picture analysis; assume that it is desired to check how two pictures differ. To do this, the contrasts in one picture are reversed while the contrasts in the other picture are maintained. In the superimposed picture, identical morphology will be erased; only the picture differences will remain. This technique is known as subtraction. Fig. 7 shows a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, in which the second mirror 24 is of semi-transmitting design. Also, the at least one further picture generator 26 is positioned in such a manner with respect to the semi-transmitting mirror 24 that the pictures from the picture generator 6 and from the at least one further picture generator 26 are combined. This arrangement, therefore, also provides a superimposed picture, with all the advantages mentioned above. By positioning the picture generator 6 and the at least one further picture generator 26 in such a manner that, in the reflected picture, the pixels from the picture generator 6 which are oriented in a specific direction are perpendicular to the pixels from the at least one further picture generator 26 which are oriented in a specific direction, it is possible to improve the picture quality of the resultant picture. The quality of displayed alpha numeric symbols will be particularly improved, with the result that text is made more legible.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Device provided with: a supporting structure (2); at least one mirror (4); at least one picture generator (6) which is supported by the structure (2) and, during operation, transmits pictures in a first predetermined direction (8) so that they are reflected by the at least one mirror (4) in a predetermined second direction (10), characterized in that the device is also provided with a work surface (12) at which a user can sit in order to view the pictures which have been reflected in the second direction (10). 2. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the picture generator (6) is either a flat-screen or a cathode ray tube or an LCD projector. 3. Device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the work surface (12) is the supporting structure (2) and is provided with an opening (14), the picture generator (6) being situated on one side of the work surface (12), and the at least one mirror (4) being situated on the other side of the work surface (12), the pictures being directed onto the at least one mirror (4), during operation, via the opening (14). 4. Device according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the device also comprises a second mirror (24) which is located on the same side of the work surface (12) as the picture generator (6) and directs the pictures from this picture generator towards the at least one mirror (4). 5. Device according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one picture generator (6) and the at least one mirror (4) are positioned in a recessed part of the work surface (12). 6. Device according to Claim 4, characterized in that the first direction (8) in which pictures are transmitted by the picture generator (6) lies substantially parallel to the second direction (10). 7. Device according to Claim 4, characterized in that the first direction (8) in which pictures are transmitted by the picture generator (6) is substantially peφendicular to the second direction (10). 8. Device according to Claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the second mirror (24) directs the pictures from the picture generator (6) in a third direction (20) which is perpendicular to the first direction (8) and perpendicular to the second direction (10). 9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one mirror (4) is concave. 10. Device according to Claim 4, characterized in that the second mirror (24) is concave. 11. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the structure (2) comprises a desk or table. 12. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one mirror (4) is arranged on a support (3) which can be vertically displaced with respect to the structure (2). 13. Device according to Claim 12, characterized in that the support (3) is provided with one or more light-absorbing screens. 14. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one mirror (4) can be pivoted away from the work surface (12). 15. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the picture generator (6) is a rack-mount monitor. 16. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the structure (2) comprises walls (16) which enclose the space between the picture generator (6) and the work surface (12), the walls (16) being treated so as to prevent reflection of light. 17. Device according to Claim 16, characterized in that the walls (16) comprise a metal structure so as to form a Faraday cage. 18. Device according to Claim 17, characterized in that the opening (14) is closed off using a transparent panel (15), at least part of which is provided with an electrically conductive material which is conductively connected to the metal structure. 19. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device comprises at least one further picture generator (26) which is located on the same side of the work surface (12) as the at least one picture generator (6). 20. Device according to Claim 19, characterized in that the device also comprises a third mirror (28) which is located on the same side of the work surface (12) as the at least one further picture generator (26) and directs pictures from the at least one further picture generator (26) to the at least one mirror (4). 21. Device according to Claim 19, characterized in that the second mirror (24) is of semi-transmitting design, and in that the at least one further picture generator (26) transmits pictures towards the second mirror (24) in a fourth direction (20') which is parallel to the third direction (20). 22. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device is furthermore provided with input hardware which communicates with associated receivers within the housing (16) without using wires. 23. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device is furthermore provided with disc units which are accommodated in the displaceable support (3). 24. Device according to one of Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one picture generator (6) and at least one mirror (4) are placed on the work surface (12) which forms the supporting structure (2).

Inventors: PLOEM SVEN, PLOEM, SVEN
Applicants: PLOEM SVEN, PLOEM, SVEN
Application year: 1998
Main classification: A47B21
IPC codes: A47B21, G06F1