Abstract:
A system and method for deploying a 1 U-sized display/keyboard unit in a rack of industrial computers which uses a display in a leading position in a linear arrangement with a keyboard, where the display is pivotable with respect to the keyboard and the keyboard is independently retractable with respect to the display.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     In recent years, industrial personal computers have become increasingly prevalent in many industries. It is not uncommon today to see rows of industrial PCs arranged in racks. Often these PC have associated with them displays so that a technician can walk among the rows of racks of PCs and can monitor and/or manipulate the status of such PCs. Recently, designers of industrial computers have created very thin computers which fit into a 1 U-sized opening. 
     In the past, PC engineers have devised computer display and keyboard units which fit into a 1 U slot or bay. Typically, these 1 U display and keyboard units have been designed in either of two ways. The first design is essentially a laptop computer mounted on a rail that slides in and out of a 1 U slot in a rack. The second design is similar, and it may be viewed as a laptop computer with a hinge between the keyboard and the display which permits the display to lie flat on the rail that supports the keyboard, which is the leading edge component when the unit is deployed using the rails. 
     While these 1 U keyboard and display units have been used extensively in the past, they do have some drawbacks. 
     First of all, the laptop on a rail or the keyboard and display clam shell model has two significant drawbacks. The display and the keyboard must be designed and manufactured as very thin components, so that when they are folded shut with the display on top of the keyboard, that the closed unit still fits within a 1 U slot in the rack. These design constraints add expense to the finished unit. Also, this display over keyboard clam shell design requires the keyboard to fully extend into the aisle between the racks even when the technician only wants to monitor the computers using the display and does not wish to use the keyboard. 
     Secondly, the “fully reclined” display design where the hinge or other connection between the display and the keyboard permits the display to fully recline and to lie flat against the rail suffers from the same aisle encroachment problem as the clam shell approach. 
     Consequently, there exists a need for improved methods and systems for deploying personal computers or keyboard and display combination units in an efficient manner in a rack of industrial personal computers. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a system and method for deploying a display and keyboard combination for a rack-mounted industrial personal computer in an efficient manner. 
     It is a feature of the present invention to utilize a design having the display component leading during the deployment process. 
     It is another feature of the present invention to include an independently retractable keyboard. 
     It is an advantage of the present invention to achieve improved efficiency in stowing and deploying display and keyboard units for rack-mounted 1 U industrial personal computers. 
     The present invention is an apparatus and method for stowing and deploying 1 U display and keyboard units for rack-mounted industrial personal computers designed to satisfy the aforementioned needs, provide the previously stated objects, include the above-listed features, and achieve the already articulated advantages. The present invention is carried out in a “wasted encroachment-less” manner in a sense that the space consumed by a keyboard during times when it is not in use has been greatly reduced. 
     Accordingly, the present invention is a system and method including a 1 U sized display and keyboard combination which provides for independent deployment of the keyboard after the display has been deployed. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     The invention may be more fully understood by reading the following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, in conjunction with the appended drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art rack-mounted industrial computer system. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a system of the present invention, in which the display/keyboard combination is stowed. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a partially deployed system of the present invention, where the display is fully deployed and the keyboard remains concealed. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a fully deployed system of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Now referring to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like matter throughout, and more specifically referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a system of the prior art, generally designated  100 , including a first rack of industrial personal computers  102  and a second rack of industrial personal computers  104  with an aisle  106  disposed therebetween. First rack of industrial personal computers  102  is representative of second rack of industrial personal computers  104  and is shown in detail to include a plurality of columns of industrial computing components  110 . A large industrial computing component  112  is shown disposed in first rack of industrial personal computers  102 . A 1 U-sized industrial computing component  114  is shown disposed at an intermediate height of first rack of industrial personal computers  102 . A technician may walk in the aisle  106  between first rack of industrial personal computers  102  and second rack of industrial personal computers  104  for various reasons, including installation or repair of components, monitoring or data entry into computers in first rack of industrial personal computers  102 , etc. 
     Now referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a 1 U-sized display/keyboard unit  116 , of the present invention which may be inserted into a slot or bay in first rack of industrial personal computers  102 , which is similar to that holding 1 U-sized industrial computing component  114 . 1 U-sized display/keyboard unit  116  is shown having a display  120 , with a display leading edge  122  and a display trailing edge  124  disposed in front of a keyboard housing  130  disposed in a display/keyboard rail system  140 . 1 U-sized display/keyboard unit  116  is a data I/O unit for both receiving information via the keyboard and for displaying information. Display  120  can be any type of display, such as an LCD or other known flat panel display. Keyboard housing  130  has a keyboard housing leading edge  132  and a keyboard housing trailing edge  134 . Display/keyboard rail system  140  has a display/keyboard rail system front end  142  and a display/keyboard rail system rear end  144 . Display/keyboard rail system front end  142  could be disposed in first rack of industrial personal computers  102 , so that it is exposed to aisle  106 . Display/keyboard rail system  140  could use any type of mechanism to permit the display  120  and the keyboard housing  130  to translate in and out of a slot in an industrial PC rack. A simple drawer or slider mechanism or more elaborate systems could be employed depending upon the particular needs for any particular implementation. Keyboard housing  130  is shown as a cover over keyboard  230 ; however, this is not a necessary feature of keyboard housing  130 . Keyboard housing  130  could be a simple drawer or slider mechanism similar to display/keyboard rail system  140  or it could be a shielding dust cover to protect the keyboard  230  from dust and any falling debris. The interface between display trailing edge  124  and keyboard housing leading edge  132  of keyboard housing  130  can be any structure suitable for carrying out variable positioning of display  120 . A hinge, such as a piano hinge, side hinges or any type of device to facilitate variable pivoting of display  120  with respect to keyboard housing  130  could be used. Keyboard  230  can be any alphanumeric type of keyboard, numeric keypad or data entry device such as a touch pad, track ball, or other cursor controller. 
     A more detailed understanding of the present invention can be achieved by now referring to FIG. 3, which shows the 1 U-sized display/keyboard unit  116  of FIG. 2 in a partially deployed arrangement. Display  120  has moved outwardly past display/keyboard rail system front end  142 , so that it would extend into aisle  106  if 1 U-sized display/keyboard unit  16  were disposed in first rack of industrial personal computers  102 . Display  120  is shown deployed in a position for use. Display  120  has been pivoted from a horizontal position as it is when stowed in FIG. 2, past a vertical position where display leading edge  122  is directly above display trailing edge  124 . This tilting of display  120  backwards or upward beyond a vertical arrangement facilitates viewing by a technician whose eyes are above a midpoint between display leading edge  122  and display trailing edge  124  when display  120  is in a vertical arrangement. When the technician&#39;s eyes are at the exact same level as such a midpoint, then a vertical arrangement of display  120  may be preferred. When the technician&#39;s eyes are below this level, then the display  120  can be pivoted a shorter angular distance so that it is directed downward. When the display  120  is either vertical or directed downward, the display  120  can be retracted back into display/keyboard rail system  140  to limit the amount of encroachment into the aisle  106 . 
     An even more detailed understanding of the present invention may be achieved by now referring to FIG. 4, which shows the 1 U-sized display/keyboard unit  116  of the present invention in a fully deployed arrangement. Keyboard  230  is shown extending outward so that keyboard trailing edge  234  approaches keyboard housing leading edge  132 . When keyboard  230  is not needed, it can be stowed by pushing the keyboard leading edge  232  back toward the keyboard housing leading edge  132 . 
     Of course, variations of the pivoting of display  120  could be done as well. For example, display  120  could be made to pivot downward, and the viewing surface of display  120  would be on the opposite side from that shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. 
     In operation, the apparatus and method of the present invention as described in FIGS. 1-4, could function as follows: 
     The 1 U-sized display/keyboard unit  116  is disposed in a 1 U sized slot in first rack of industrial personal computers  102  similar to that which houses 1 U-sized industrial computing component  114 . Display/keyboard rail system rear end  144  is disposed internal to first rack of industrial personal computers  102 . Display/keyboard rail system front end  142  is adjacent to the aisle  106 . When a technician desires to use the display  120 , the display  120  can be pulled into the aisle  106 . Display  120  can be pivoted about display trailing edge  124 , so that display leading edge  122  moves upward. If the technician is viewing from below, the amount of pivoting is limited and the display leading edge  122  never is disposed vertical of display trailing edge  124 . If the technician is viewing from above, then display leading edge  122  can be moved past a vertical alignment with display trailing edge  124 , so that display  120  is directed upward. In such cases, display  120  will need to be pulled further into the aisle  106  to create space between the backwardly tilted display  120  and the face plates of large industrial computing component  112  or other components disposed above 1 U-sized display/keyboard unit  116 . If a keyboard or portions of a keyboard are needed, it can be pulled further into aisle  106 . 
     Throughout this description, reference is made to an industrial PC because it is believed that the beneficial aspects of the present invention would be most readily apparent when used in connection with industrial; however, it should be understood that the present invention is not intended to be limited to industrial PCs and should be hereby construed to include other non-industrial PCs as well. 
     It is thought that the method and apparatus of the present invention will be understood from the foregoing description and that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construct steps, and arrangement of the parts and steps thereof, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of their material advantages. The form herein described is merely a preferred exemplary embodiment thereof.