WO2013083924A1

WO2013083924A1 - Motorized support for touch-sensitive tablet

Info

Publication number: WO2013083924A1
Application number: PCT/FR2012/052822
Authority: WO
Inventors: Henri Crohas; Fernando Romao
Original assignee: Archos
Priority date: 2011-12-08
Filing date: 2012-12-06
Publication date: 2013-06-13
Also published as: CN202561397U; FR2983939A1; FR2983939B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a motorized support (1) for supporting a touch-sensitive tablet, comprising: - a receiving station (4) for the touch-sensitive tablet, comprising holding means for holding a touch-sensitive tablet (5), - a mobile base (2), - a deployment device (6, 7, 8, 9, 10) connecting the receiving station to the base and designed to cause the motorized support to pass between two positions including a compact position and an extended position in which the receiving station is further away from the base than it is in its compact position, and - motorizing means designed to move the mobile base.

Description

"Motorized support for tablet computer"

Technical area

The present invention relates to a motorized support for a touch pad.

Such a motorized support allows a user to use a touch pad without wearing it.

State of the art

Motorized supports are known for carrying a touch pad. Such a support makes it possible to use a touch pad without wearing it, which is particularly advantageous especially when the tablet must be viewed for a long time, for example during the viewing of a film or during a videoconference.

A technical problem posed by this type of support is that it considerably increases the volume necessary for the use of the tablet, because the volume of the motorized support assembly plus tablet is much larger than the volume of the tablet alone. This is particularly disadvantageous for domestic use, especially in apartment.

The object of the invention is to provide a motorized tablet support reduced space compared to the state of the prior art.

Presentation of the invention

This objective is achieved with a motorized support for a touch pad comprising:

a docking station for a touch pad comprising holding means for holding a touch pad,

- a mobile base,

- A deployment device connecting the docking station to the base and arranged to pass the motorized support between two positions comprising a compact position and an extended position for the which the docking station is farther away from the base than in its compact position, and

- Motorization means arranged to move the mobile base.

The motorized support according to the invention may furthermore comprise connection means arranged for exchanging data with this touch pad,

The docking station and the deployment device can be arranged so that a touch pad housed in the docking station has at least one vertical position in the compact position and in the extended position of the motorized support.

The motorized support according to the invention may further comprise means for adjusting the inclination of the docking station, or the touch pad if the docking station houses one.

The motorized support according to the invention can be equipped with a touch pad housed in the docking station.

The touch pad may be arranged to measure its inclination, and to control the motorization means so as to actuate the inclination adjustment means for automatic placing in the vertical position or at a given inclination of the tablet.

The docking station can be arranged so that a touch pad housed in the docking station is visible from outside the motorized support in the compact position and in the extended position of the motorized support.

The motorized support according to the invention can be arranged so that in the extended position, the docking station or a tablet housed in the docking station can be further from the base:

- at least 50 centimeters, preferably at least one meter in the compact position, and / or

by a factor of between 4 and 8, preferably between 5 and 7, preferably substantially only in the compact position.

To measure these distances in each of the positions, consider the point of the tablet or station closest to a point of the base in a vertical projection.

The motorized support according to the invention can be arranged so that in the extended position, the docking station or a tablet housed in the station may be further away from the ground on which the motorized support

by a factor of between 2 and 4, preferably between 2.5 and 3.5, preferably substantially only in the compact position.

To measure these distances in each of the positions, consider the point of the tablet or station closest to the ground in a vertical projection.

The motorized support according to the invention can be arranged to move in its compact position and in its extended position.

The deployment device can be arranged to be operated manually.

The motorization means may be further arranged to actuate the deployment device.

The motorization means may be arranged to be controlled via the connection means, i.e. by a touch pad housed in the docking station

The motorized support according to the invention may be arranged to receive control commands for controlling the motorization means from the connection means, i .e. a touch pad housed in the docking station.

The motorized support according to the invention may comprise no means for generating a control command for controlling the motorization means for adjusting the inclination of the docking station and / or for the passage of the motorized support between its extended positions and compact.

The motorized support according to the invention may furthermore comprise sensors for detecting information relating to the environment of the motorized support, arranged to send this information to the connection means to the attention of a touch pad housed in the station. Home .

The deployment device may comprise a two-armed device comprising a base arm and a station arm, the base arm being connected to the base by a pivotal connection, the base arm and the arm of station being connected by another pivotal connection, the station arm being connected to the docking station by another pivotal connection.

In the compact position of the motorized support, the base and station arms preferably extend:

- in the same direction relative to the pivoting connection connecting them, and / or

along the base, the base arm preferably being in all its length in contact with the base.

In the extended position of the motorized support, the base and station arms preferably extend:

in substantially opposite directions with respect to the pivoting link connecting them, and / or

- substantially perpendicular to the base. Description of the Figures and Embodiments

Other advantages and particularities of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description of implementations and non-limiting embodiments, and the following appended drawings:

FIG. 1 is a profile view of a preferred embodiment of a motorized support according to the invention, in its extended position,

FIG. 2 is a profile view of the motorized support according to the invention of FIG. 1, in its compact position, FIG. 3 is a front view of the motorized support according to the invention of FIG. 1, in its extended position; FIG. 4 is a front view of the motorized support according to the invention of FIG. 1, in its compact position, FIG. 5 is a view from above of the motorized support according to the invention of FIG. 1, in its extended position; and - Figure 6 is a top view of the motorized support according to the invention of Figure 1, in its compact position.

These embodiments being in no way limiting, it will be possible to imagine variants of the invention comprising only one selection of characteristics subsequently described isolated from the other features described, if this selection of characteristics is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the state of the prior art. This selection comprises at least one feature preferably functional without structural details, or with only a part of the structural details if this part alone is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the state of the prior art. We will first describe, with reference to Figures 1 to 6, a preferred embodiment of motorized support 1 according to the invention.

The motorized support 1 for a tactile tablet comprises a base 2. The base 2 is mobile, that is to say it comprises means for resting above a ground and for moving on this ground. Typically, the base 2 comprises at least two wheels 3, preferably a set of at least three or four wheels 3 each distributed at a different vertex respectively of a triangle or a rectangle, but one could imagine in a variant n any other type of moving means (track, air cushion, etc.).

The motorized support 1 comprises motorization means arranged to move the mobile base 2. These motorization means typically comprise a motor contained inside the base 2, and arranged to rotate at least one of the wheels 3.

The motorized support 1 comprises a docking station 4 for a touch pad comprising holding means for holding a touch pad 5. The holding means typically comprise means of clipping and / or screwing and / or preferably magnetization of the touch pad 5 on the motorized support 1.

The touch pad 5 is a mobile computer of flat shape whose main interface is a touch screen. The tablet 5 further comprises a microphone, a camera and speakers.

The tablet 5 includes a rechargeable battery, electronic components (processor, etc.), a memory. The tablet 5 comprises means for detecting its inclination (for example with accelerometer and / or gyroscope).

The tablet 5 comprises wireless and wired connection means. According to the variant of the invention, it is possible to market and / or protect the motorized support according to the invention alone without a tablet 5, or else the motorized support according to the invention equipped with the touch pad 5 housed in the docking station 4 .

According to the invention, the motorized support 1 comprises a deployment device 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 connecting the docking station 4 to the base 2 and arranged to pass the motorized support 1 between at least two positions comprising a compact position (illustrated in FIGS. 2, 4, and 6) and an extended position (illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3, and 5) for which the docking station 4 is further away, in a vertical direction directed upwards , base 2 only in the compact position.

Thus, the size of the motorized support 1 is considerably reduced. Rather than obviously making a small motorized support, the motorized support according to the invention remains bulky in an extended position of use for a reading of the tablet 5 typically at height of the eyes in sitting or standing position, and has a considerably reduced space in its compact position when the user no longer needs to view his touch panel 5 typically at eye level in sitting or standing position.

Typically, the motorized support 1 and the docking station 4 are arranged so that, when the motorized support 1 rests on a floor (on its means 3) and is in its extended position, the docking station 4 (or the tablet 5 housed in this station) is distant from this ground a vertical distance of between 1.5 meters and 2 meters.

Typically, in the extended position the docking station 4 is further away from the base 2 by at least 50 centimeters, preferably at least one meter in a vertical direction upward than in the compact position.

The deployment device comprises a two-armed device comprising a base arm 6 and a station arm 7, the base arm 6 being connected to the base 2 by a pivoting base connection 8, the base arm 6 and the station arm 7 being connected by another intermediate pivoting connection 9, the station arm 7 being connected to the docking station 4 by another stationary pivoting stationary station.

Each of the pivotal links 8, 9, 10 is equipped with braking means for maintaining its frictional position if no force greater than a certain threshold (typically from 5 to 20 Newton meters) is applied to the pivoting connection.

In the compact position of the motorized support, the base arms 6 and station 7 extend:

substantially in the same direction (towards the right in FIG. 2) with respect to the pivoting connection connecting them, and

along the base 2, the base arm 6 being (preferably over its entire length) in contact with the base 2.

In the extended position of the motorized support, the base arms 6 and station 7 extend:

in substantially opposite directions relative to the pivoting connection 9 the relants (in FIG. 1, the station arm 7 moves upwards and the base arm 6 moves downwards relative to the pivoting connection 9 connecting them ), and

- substantially perpendicular to the base 2.

The deployment device is arranged to be operated manually. For example, the sim ple force of a user (greater than the threshold) upward on the receiving station 4 may allow the motorized support to move from its compact position to its extended position, and the The fact that a user pushing station 4 downwards can allow the motorized support to move from its extended position to its com plete position. To facilitate this manual operation, the motorized support 1 (preferably the docking station 4, or possibly the station arm 7) is equipped with a handle (not illustrated).

The deployment device is arranged to be powered in a motorized manner. For this, the motorization means are further arranged to actuate the deployment device. A switch (not shown) selects the operating mode (manual or motorized) of the deployment device.

The motorized support 1 further comprises energy storage means, typically an electric battery. These storage means are housed in the base 2.

The energy storage means are arranged to supply the motorization means.

The motorized support 1 further comprises connection means for connecting the tablet 5 to the motorized support 1. These connection means are located on the docking station 4.

The connection means are arranged to exchange data with the touch pad 5. These data include commands for controlling the motorization means. For this, the connection means comprise data exchange means. These connection means typically comprise wired connection means (preferably a USB port of format specific to the tablet and a USB port of standard format, etc.) and / or wireless (Bluetooth, etc.) exchange of data.

The motorized support comprises loudspeakers arranged to broadcast music or sound from the tablet via the data exchange means (that the motorized support at night in its compact or extended position).

The connection means are arranged to electrically connect the tablet 5 to the motorized support 1. For this, the connection means comprise electrical connection means. These electrical connection means are arranged so that the energy storage means of the motorized support 1 supply energy to the tablet 5, for a greater autonomy of use of the tablet 5.

The docking station 4 and the deployment device 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 are arranged so that the touch pad 5 housed in the docking station 4 has at least one vertical position in the compact position and in the extended position of the motorized support.

It is said that the tablet is in a vertical position when the plane of the outer surface of the touch screen of the tablet 5 is vertical. Advantageously, the motorized support 1 comprises means for adjusting the inclination of the docking station 4. These adjustment means comprise the pivoting connection 10. This pivoting connection is arranged to pivot in a motorized manner by the action of the motorization means. motorized support 1.

The motorization means of the motorized support 1 are arranged to be controlled via the connection means by the touch pad 5 housed in the docking station.

According to the varainte considered:

the motorized support 1 only includes motors, wheels, a mechanical structure, a battery, etc., but does not include any "intelligence", that is to say no means for generating a command order, particularly for controlling motorization means, or

the motorized support 1 does not include any means for generating a control command for controlling the motorization means for its adjustment of inclination and / or for its passage between its extended and compact positions, but can generate elementary orders for the means of displacement. The motorized support 1 comprises only motors, wheels, a mechanical structure, a battery, and further comprises means (small processor) loaded and arranged to collect the information of the various sensors and send basic commands to the motorization means for the moving means. It is then well the tablet 5 which elaborates the commands of higher level and decides: trajectory elaborated, decision according to the information of the sensors, etc .... The body of the motorized support has therefore no autonomy except in case of warning, if for example the body of the motorized support detects an obstacle or a risk of falling on a staircase for example, it will make the decision alone to stop the engines as quickly as possible while informing the decision-making body (the Tablet) of alert and action taken.

The motorized support 1 is arranged to receive control commands from the motorization means from the connection means, i .e. from the tablet 5 housed in the docking station 4.

Thus, it significantly simplifies the design of the motorized support 1, and we take advantage of the "intelligence" of the tablet 5. The motorized support 1 is arranged to receive control commands from the motorization means for its inclination adjustment from the tablet 5 housed in the docking station 4.

The touch pad 5 is arranged to measure its inclination (for example by gravity reading, by a compass system or accelerometer or gyroscope or mercury), and to control the drive means for actuating the inclination adjustment means 10 for an automatic setting in vertical position or at a given inclination of the tablet 5. Thus, if the tablet 5 detects that it is too inclined forward, it sends a command order of the drive means to rotate the link 10 backwards, and if the tablet 5 detects that it is too inclined towards the rear, it sends a command order of the motorization means to pivot the link 10 forward, until it detects that it is in the vertical position or in the desired inclination. This inclination given is preferably specific to the compact or extended position, and can therefore differ between these two positions, because the reading angel of the tablet 5 is different between the compact position and the extended position. This given inclination can be memorized by default in the motorized support or the tablet 5, or adjustable via the tablet by entering a new value for example via the touch screen.

Thus, the reading angle of the tablet is adjusted automatically when Ion switches between the compact and extended positions of the motorized support 1.

The motorized support 1 is arranged to receive control commands from the motorization means, for its passage between its extended and compact positions, from the connection means, i .e. from the tablet 5 housed in the docking station 4.

The tablet 5 is arranged to receive an order (by pressing on its touch screen or by receiving a voice command via its microphone) to change position to move the motorized support from its compact position to its extended position or its position extended to its compact position, and to control the motorization means for operating the means 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 to change the extended or compact position of the motorized support.

The motorized support 1 is arranged to receive control commands from the motorization means for its movement from the connection means, i .e. from the tablet 5 housed in the docking station 4.

The motorized support 1 according to any one of the preceding claims, furthermore comprises sensors (typically a camera, in the visible and / or infrared range) for detecting information relating to the environment of the motorized support 1 (distance relative to to an object, a charging station of its battery, etc ...) - The motorized support 1 is further arranged to send this information to the connection means to the attention of the touch pad 5 housed in the station Home . In a variant, it is the camera of the tablet 5 which serves directly as a sensor for detecting information relating to the environment of the motorized support 1.

The tablet 5 is arranged to send, according to these environmental information, commands for controlling the motorization means for moving the motorized support 1.

The docking station 4 is arranged so that the touch pad 5 housed in the docking station 4 is visible from outside the motorized support in the compact position and in the extended position of the motorized support 1.

It will be noted that the motorized support 1 is arranged to move (via its means 3 and its motorization means) both in its compact position and in its extended position.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples that have just been described and many adjustments can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention.

Of course, the various features, forms and embodiments of the invention may be associated with each other in various combinations to the extent that they are not incompatible or exclusive of each other. In particular all variants and embodiments described above are combinable with each other.

Claims

REVEN DICATIONS

1. Motorized support (1) support for a tablet comprising:

a docking station (4) for a touch pad comprising holding means for holding a touch pad (5),

- Connection means arranged to exchange data with the touch pad,

a mobile base (2),

- a deployment device (6, 7, 8, 9, 10) connecting the docking station to the base and arranged to pass the motorized support between two positions comprising a compact position and an extended position for which the station of home is farther from the base than in its compact position,

- Motorization means arranged to move the mobile base.

2. Motorized support according to claim 1, characterized in that the docking station and the deployment device are arranged so that a touch pad housed in the docking station has at least one vertical position in the compact position and in the extended position of the motorized support.

3. Motorized support according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises means for adjusting the inclination (10) of the docking station.

4. Motorized support according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is equipped with a touch pad (5) housed in the docking station.

Motorized support according to claim 4 considered as dependent on claim 3, characterized in that the touch pad is arranged to measure its inclination, and to control the motorization means so as to actuate the means of tilt adjustment for automatic positioning in vertical position or at a given inclination of the tablet.

6. Motorized support according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the docking station is arranged so that a touch pad housed in the docking station is visible from outside the motorized support in the compact position and in the extended position of the motorized support.

7. Motorized support according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the extended position the docking station is farther away from the base by at least 50 cm than in the compact position.

8. Motorized support according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is arranged to move in its compact position and in its extended position.

9. Motorized support according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deployment device is arranged to be manually operated.

10. Motorized support according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive means are further arranged to actuate the deployment device.

11. Motorized support according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive means are arranged to be controlled via the connection means.

12. Motorized support according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises no means for generating a control command to control the means of motorization for the passage of the motorized support between its extended and compact positions.

Motorized support according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it furthermore comprises sensors for detecting information relating to the environment of the motorized support, arranged to send this information to the means of connection to the attention. a touch pad housed in the docking station.

14. Motorized support according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deployment device comprises a two-arm device comprising a base arm (6) and a station arm (7), the base arm being connected. at the base by a pivotal connection (8), the base arm and the station arm being connected by another pivoting connection (9), the station arm being connected to the docking station by another pivoting connection (10). ).

Motorized support according to claim 14, characterized in that in the compact position of the motorized support, the base and station arms extend:

in the same direction relative to the pivoting connection connecting them, and

16. Motorized support according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that in the extended position of the motorized support, the base and station arms extend:

in substantially opposite directions with respect to the pivoting connection connecting them, and

- substantially perpendicular to the base.