Abstract:
A display assembly includes a screen adapted to display images and a support structure holding the screen and being adapted to selectively rotate the screen and to mount the screen, either temporarily or permanently, to a platform such as a table. The system further includes a case mounted on the support structure with electronic circuitry receiving and processing incoming electronic signals and sending corresponding signals to the screen for display. The screen can be rotated between an upright position in which the images are visible and a rest position in which the images are not visible.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims priority to application S. No. 60/431,460 filed on Dec. 6, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of Invention  
           [0003]    This invention pertains to a table adapted for positioning above a hospital bed and incorporating a video display. The display is movable between an upright or operational position and a horizontal position.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art  
           [0005]    Hospital patients frequently require access to TV services and other forms of entertainment and means of occupying their time, especially if they are bed-ridden. Some hospitals have rooms equipped with wall-mounted TVs. Other hospitals use television stands (See, for instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,207,405) that can position a TV near a hospital bed.  
           [0006]    However, even with these types of stands, the patients are dissatisfied since they desire other systems that, in addition, to TV services, may provide other functions, such as an interactive PC-type system with entertainment software, including Internet access. Moreover, since patients also require a table for eating, TV stands further clutter the space around the patient&#39;s bed and make it difficult for the patient, doctors, nurses, visitors to move around.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    In view of the above, a table is provided in the present invention that includes a video display associated with a PC-type controller. The table is preferably mounted on a rolling frame and is constructed and arranged so that it is positioned over a hospital bed so that it can be used by a patient. With the present modification, the patient can use the table for normal activities and in addition allows the patient to watch tv programs on the video display, or use the controller together with a keyboard to operate various software and/or access the Internet.  
           [0008]    Preferably, a table and display assembly according to this invention includes a table having a platform; and display system attached said platform and including a case with signal receiving and processing circuitry and a screen connected to said circuitry and adapted to receive video signals and to display images corresponding to said video signals. The display system may include a pivoting arm attached to said screen to pivot said screen between a viewable position and a rest position, with the screen facing the platform in the rest position.  
           [0009]    The system also includes a mounting member such as a clamp for selectively installing and removing said system from said table.  
           [0010]    Preferably the table is a bedside table used in a hospital.  
           [0011]    In another aspect of the invention, a display system includes a support structure; a screen adapted to receive signals and to display images from said signals, said screen being attached to said support structure; and a mounting member adapted to mount said support structure on a platform.  
           [0012]    Preferably. the screen is a flat screen.  
           [0013]    The support structure may includes a first arm secured to said mounting member and a second arm mounted between said first arm and said screen. The support structure may include a bracket supporting said screen, said second arm being coupled to said bracket.  
           [0014]    Preferably the support structure is adapted to provide rotation of said screen along at least one axis, and preferably two axes, independently.  
           [0015]    The system further includes a case attached to said support structure and electronic circuitry disposed in said case and adapted to receive signals and to transmit said signals to said screen. Preferably the electronic circuitry is a PC. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a table constructed in accordance with this invention with the display in the open position;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 2 shows a side elevational view of the table of FIG. 1;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment constructed in accordance with this invention with the display in the open position;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 4 shows a side elevational view of the table of FIG. 3 with the display in the closed position;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 5 shows a side elevational view of a table with an alternate embodiment of the invention; and  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 5. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0022]    As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 the table T has a U-shaped configuration having a base B mounted on coasters, an upright U and a platform P. The height of the platform P can be changed in the usual manner by adjusting the length of the upright U to allow the platform P to be positioned in a cantilevered fashioned over a hospital bed (not shown). These types of tables are available from several suppliers.  
         [0023]    A video assembly  10  is attached to the table. It includes an LCD video display  12 , a control module  16 , a tuner section  14  and a support structure  18  that supports these elements on the table. Preferably the video display includes integral speakers (not shown) to allow the patient to hear the audio portion of the respective program. Alternatively, external speakers may be provided.  
         [0024]    The tuner section  14  allows a patient to select the program that he wants to watch and provides audio-video signals to the video display  12 . Preferably the following components may be used.  
         [0025]    The LCD video display  12  could be a 15″ flat plasma screen monitor made by Amptron-Model No. LSEX-TA or equivalent.  
         [0026]    The control module  16  could be a thin client computing appliance such as a ‘EON ANYTHING BOX’ made by Neoware, or equivalent.  
         [0027]    The tuner section  14  could be Viewsonic Model No.VBSOHRTV or equivalent.  
         [0028]    Obviously other components may be used as well.  
         [0029]    These components are electrically connected to each other by cables that have been omitted for the sake of clarity. In addition, the tuner section  14  is also connected by a suitable cable to an external video signal source to provide the video programs and to an ac outlet to provide power to the assembly.  
         [0030]    The support structure  18  includes a bracket  3 , an L-shaped arm  13  and a lower arm  1 A. These elements are channels made of steel, aluminum or other similar material that is strong enough to support the display assembly. The channels provide internal pathways which can be used to run the cables interconnecting the components described above.  
         [0031]    The bracket  3  is provided with a mounting leg  20 . The mounting leg  20  is secured rigidly to the bottom surface of platform P by screws  6  and a mounting plate  5 .  
         [0032]    Attached laterally to the bracket  3  is a housing  2 . This housing  2  is sized and shaped to hold the tuner section  16  as shown. The front portion of the housing is open to allow the tuner section  16  to be readily removed by the patient or an attendant.  
         [0033]    Lower arm  1 A has a pivoting joint or bushing  1 B (including screw  7 ) that joins it to the lower end of bracket  3 . The opposite end of the lower arm  1 A supports a housing  4 . This housing  4  holds the control module  14 . The housing  4  is provided with cutouts that allow the removal of the control module  14 . Preferably, the bottom of the housing  4  is provided with one or more holes (not shown). The cables connected to the control module  14  pass through these holes and are connected to the control module  14 . The joint  1 B allows the arm  1 A and the housing  4  to pivot with respect to the bracket  3  by up to 90 degrees to allow the insertion and/or removal of the cables from the control module  14 .  
         [0034]    The arm  13  has a joint or bushing  28  (including a standard screw  7 A) at its lower end to pivotally connect it to the bracket  3 . The upper end of the arm  13  is provided with two swivel-type joints or bushings  30  and  32 . Joint  30  is directly attached to the arm  13  while joint  32  is attached to a mounting plate  34 . The mounting plate is attached to the back of display  12 . The joints  28 ,  30 , and  32  provide several degrees of movement for the display  12 . First, the display  12  can move from a vertical or open position shown in FIG. 1 to a closed or rest position shown in FIG. 2 (at  12 A) by pivoting the arm  13  at joint  28 . This motion is indicated in FIG. 2 by arrow Z. The open position is the operational position of the display because it can be viewed in this position by the patient. The display  12  can be pivoted to the closed position when the patient does not desire to see a program.  
         [0035]    Additionally, the display  12  can be pivoted along joint  30  slightly up and down with respect to the bracket  3  as indicated by arrow X in FIG. 1. The position of the display can also be adjusted laterally by pivoting it along joint  32  as indicated by arrow Yin FIG. 1.  
         [0036]    If desired the components  12 ,  14 ,  16  can be adapted to provide the patient access to the Internet. For this purpose, the system may also include a keyboard (not shown).  
         [0037]    [0037]FIGS. 3 and 4 show an alternate embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, a table T 1  is provided with a platform P 1  supporting a TV display assembly  100 . The assembly  100  includes three components: a support structure  110 , a PC case  112  and a video display  114 .  
         [0038]    The support structure includes a clamp assembly  120 . The clamp assembly  120  includes a top horizontal member  122 , a bottom horizontal member  124  and a vertical member  126  connecting the two horizontal members. Two or more bolts (not shown) are used to clamp the two horizontal members  122 ,  124  to the platform P 1 .  
         [0039]    Of course, other structures may be used to attach the display system to the table platform.  
         [0040]    The support structure  110  further includes a lower arm  130 , an L-shaped upper arm  132  and a mounting bracket  134 . The lower arm  130  is connected to the clamp  120  and is joined to the upper arm  132  by a bushing  136  that allows the upper arm  134  to pivot with respect to the lower arm  130  along a horizontal axis. The upper arm  132  is connected to the bracket  134  by a bushing  138  that allows the bracket to pivot about a horizontal I axis. The bracket  134  includes a third bushing  140  that allows a portion  142  of the bracket to pivot with respect to the arm  132  about a vertical axis. This portion  142  is secured to, and supports the display  114 . The bushings  138 ,  140  allow the display  114  to be positioned at a comfortable viewing angle. The bushing  136  allows the display to be pivoted between the upright position shown in FIG. 3 and a horizontal, or rest position shown in FIG. 4 in which the display can be resting on the platform P 1 .  
         [0041]    The case  112  is similar to a standard PC case and is attached to the lower arm  130  and/or clamp  120 . The case has several cutouts  142 . The case  112  is used to hold a PC circuitry  144  including a mother board, CD and DVD drives, etc. (not shown). A CD disc, a DVD disc or other similar media may be inserted through cutouts  142 . The case is also provided with a card reader  146  that may be coupled to the PC circuitry  144  through a USB port or other similar means (not shown). This reader allows a patient or other individuals to order services on line, to provide an identification means for certain restrictive functions, etc.  
         [0042]    The video display  114  is pivotable between two positions, as described above, and may be provided with a video camera  148  with a built-in microphone and a touch screen  150 . The touch screen  150  allows the patient to generate commands for the PC circuitry  144 . The video display  114  may be an LCD type, a plasma type or other similar screen that is relatively thin and has a low power consumption. The connectors between the display  114  and the PC circuitry  144  are passed through the support structure  110 . The assembly may also be provided with a wired or wireless keyboard and/or mouse.  
         [0043]    A major difference between the two embodiments is that in the first embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the table is constructed at the same time and integral with the display assembly. In the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4 the screen assembly can be added to an existing bedside table by the clamp  120 . Another difference is that in the first embodiment, a thin or flat screen is provided with receives analog TV signals from the tuner  16 . In the second embodiment, the display  114  is computer-type monitor that receives signals from the PC circuitry  144 . The signals may be received through a cable connection, via a wired or wireless interconnection, etc. If a tuner is necessary, it is incorporated into the PC circuitry  144 .  
         [0044]    [0044]FIGS. 5 and 6 show a third embodiment of the invention, In this embodiment a standard table T is provided with the usual base B and platform P. The platform P can be shifted vertically in the usual manner. The base B is formed with support legs L mounted on casters C. In this embodiment, the display assembly  200  includes a horizontal base plate  210  with one or more casters  212 . The base plate is secured to the legs L by two tie members  214 . The base plate  210  supports a pole  216  having a circular cross-section. The pole  216  may have other cross-sections as well. Mounted on the pole is a support sleeve  218  that is slidable on the pole  216  and is clamped to the platform P. The purpose of the support sleeve is to secure the pole  216  in the vertical position shown.  
         [0045]    Above platform P, there is a second sleeve  220  supporting a bracket  222 . The second sleeve  220  can be positioned vertically at will along the pole  216  ti thereby position display  226 . The bracket  222  is connected to the second sleeve  220  through two bushings or joints  228 ,  230  that allow the display  226  to be rotated slightly either up or down, or sideways, as desired by the patient. Also mounted on the pole is a PC case  232  similar to the case  112 . The PC circuitry is disposed in the PC case  232 .  
         [0046]    In all the embodiments discussed above, the PC circuitry is disposed in its own case. In some instances, the PC circuitry may be integrated into the display  114 ,  226 , in which the respective PC case may be omitted.  
         [0047]    The display assembly described herein has several advantages over the prior art, as follows. While existing TVs are placed far away from the patient, the present screen can be located close to the patient so that the patient can see it easier. In addition, the touch screen further facilitates interaction between the patient and the system.  
         [0048]    While most prior art TV screens consist of large, power hungry CRT tubes, the present display preferably consists of a flat panel screen that uses less energy, requires less space and is easily movable within the hospital room by a patient, nurse, attendant, etc.  
         [0049]    The invention provides a PC that can be used not only for communications, entertainment, (e.g., IP telephony, conferencing, Internet access, games) etc. by the patient, but may also be used to transmit and receive information by other bedside personnel.  
         [0050]    The embodiments of FIGS. 3, 4,  5  and  5  can be easily implemented by incorporating the display into a new table or by mounting it on an existing table.  
         [0051]    While wall mounted TVs are permanent fixtures, the present display assembly can be easily placed into any hospital removed, and removed to storage at will. Moreover, the assembly can be made modular so that some patients may need and receive only TV service, other patients may be provided a PC programmed to provide conferencing, telephone communications, and/or other functionality.  
         [0052]    The invention allows a hospital to get a high speed (such as T1) digital connection and to distribute services to the patient bedside, including TV services and other services through its internal secure network. In this manner, the hospital can also provide high speed and secure data transmission to the patient bedside to be used by health professionals as well.  
         [0053]    In addition to the functions described above, the display assembly can be used to provide other functions and services. As described above, the assembly can be used to provide IP telephony. Through this protocol, the patient can talk to various friends and relatives. Moreover, with the use of the camera  148 , the participants in a telephone conversation or conference can also see each other (assuming, of course, that the other parties also have suitable cameras). However, the system can be used to provide a three-way communication between the patient, hospital personnel (a nurse, a doctor, etc.) and an interpreter. Thus, if the patient and the doctor do not share a language, they can talk to each other through an interpreter. While a voice-only connection may be sufficient, the use of video and voice connection is much more convenient in such a situation. Moreover, similar communications may be established with other third parties, such as insurance carriers. An important variation on this function is to provide communication with a deaf person through a sign-language interpreter. In another variation, the assembly includes a Braille keyboard so that it can be operated by a blind patient.  
         [0054]    The assembly may also be used to provide the patient with means of checking his bill, means of asking questions from the administration, means of receiving messages from the administration or medical staff, means of checking out from the hospital, etc.  
         [0055]    The display assembly has been described in conjunction with a hospital bed. The display assembly may also be mounted on another type of table used in other environments, such as courts, law offices, immigration services, etc.  
         [0056]    While the invention has been described with reference to several particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles of the invention. Accordingly, the embodiments described in particular should be considered as exemplary, not limiting, with respect to the following claims.