Patent ID: 7042714

Claim:
A computer controlled display device, comprising: a flat panel display having an input for receiving display data; a moveable assembly coupled to said display near a first end and a base to house computer components near a second end; a tension device disposed within said moveable assembly; a motor operatively coupled to said tension device and disposed within said base, wherein said motor applies a force to said tension device to suspend movement of said moveable assembly, and releases said force to permit movement of said moveable assembly to change a position of said flat panel display; and wherein said moveable assembly provides at least three degrees of freedom of movement for said flat panel display device and having a cross-sectional area which is substantially less than a cross-sectional area of a display structure of said flat panel display, and wherein said moveable assembly comprises a plurality of stacked ball-and-socket assemblies; and wherein said moveable assembly comprises a region of substantial friction and a region of lesser friction; and wherein a ball-and-socket assembly of said plurality of stacked ball-and-socket assemblies comprises: a substantially spherical ball; a first annular plunger, said first annular plunger having walls defining a bore therethrough, and having a first concave insert fitted therein; and a second annular plunger, said second annular plunger having walls defining a bore therethrough, and having a second concave insert fitted therein, said second concave insert coupled to said first concave insert.