GB2614119A

GB2614119A - Portable media display kiosk

Info

Publication number: GB2614119A
Application number: GB2213885.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lawrence Daniel
Original assignee: Durty Media Ltd
Current assignee: Durty Media Ltd
Priority date: 2018-06-13
Filing date: 2018-06-13
Publication date: 2023-06-28
Anticipated expiration: 2038-06-13
Also published as: GB2614119B; GB202213885D0

Abstract

The portable virtual reality kiosk has a column case 2 upstanding from a ground engaging base 1, the column or case having a quick release coupling for connecting or disconnecting the column case from the base, and a quick release adapter for connecting and disconnecting a visual display unit 30 from the top of the column. The kiosk may comprise a sensor bar 34 for deploying two or more motion sensors 34.6, at least one on each side of the visual display unit. The column case may accommodate a full size ATX motherboard. The column case may have a floor panel, one of the base or floor panel having an arcuate slot for receiving and trapping pins secured into the other of the floor panel and base. The adapter may have a spring loaded latch bolt which is received in a lock hole in a flange of the upper edge of the column case so the adapter and visual display unit cannot be bounced out of engagement when the kiosk is moved. The visual display unit may be a flat screen monitor. The sensors may be accelerometers. Caster wheels 6 may be mounted on one edge of the base.

Description

PORTABLE MEDIA DISPLAY KIOSK

Technical Field

(you The present invention is a media display kiosk adapted to improve the portability, deployability and usability of a high resolution display kiosk especially but not exclusively a virtual reality display kiosk, adapted to display 3D models in high definition and real time. Conventionally virtual reality systems consist of a headset comprising goggles and earphones providing an audio visual interface with a computer system. Sensors (primarily accelerometers) sense the movement of the headset as the user's head moves and display the virtual environment accordingly.

10021 Conventional virtual realitycomputer systems display only a predetermined model and can therefore be achieved using modest processing power. There is a demand for virtual realitysystems capable of modifying the virtual realitymodel in real time, for example, in architecture development or interior design. This requires either unacceptably long delays in processing time or very much greater processing performance than can be deployed in a conventional portable (laptop) workstation. Presently such systems are only deployed in tower ATX format cases in order to provide the space, cooling and power supply necessary to support the motherboard and graphical processor unit (GPU) or units. Because such systems require user input beyond the capacity of a conventional virtual reality headset it is usual to include a high definition (eg 3,840 x 2,160 or 4k) flat screen monitor, which will preferably provide a touch screen interface. Such systems are expensive, currently in the range of GBP 3000 to GBP 30,000. Full size ATX cases are not well designed for portability.

[3] It is desirable to have a large monitor, of the order of 600 to 1000mm (24 inches to 40 inches) to allow users to view the model without using a headset. It is also desirable to provide a user touch screen interface, obviating the need for either keyboard or mouse input. This allows multiple users to view the model simultaneously or a user who is uncomfortable with a virtual reality headset to enjoy the model. virtual reality models are commonly developed by a media consulting company in a collaborative project headed by a project lead company, such as a firm of architects who will need to view the virtual reality project and show it to their clients either at their own premises or the client's. The inventor has found that transporting, assembling and supporting the sort of system described is an onerous task fraught with risk to expensive hardware even where a suitable platform on which assemble the system is available. Platforms are not always conveniently available or well suited to such use at a client's premises.

Statement of Invention

[4] A portable virtual reality kiosk comprising: a ground engaging base and a column/case upstanding from the ground engaging base to support a visual display unit, wherein the column/case is adapted by means of a base quick release coupling to be connected to or disconnected from the base, and a quick release adapter is provided to facilitate connecting and disconnecting a visual display unit from the top of the column case.

fez/ The quick release couplings allow the kiosk to be quickly assembled from three sub-assemblies or broken down into the three sub-assemblies whereby the kiosk can be safely packed, for example in flight cases, for transport to and from a venue and stored out of use.

[006] Other preferred features of the portable virtual reality kiosk are recited in the appended claims.

Brief Description of Drawings

[007] Embodiments of a portable virtual reality kiosk according to the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1.1 is a SW isometric view of a first embodiment, Figure 1.2 is a NE isometric view of the first embodiment, Figure 1.3 is a NE isometric view of the first embodiment with a back plate removed, Figure 1.4 is an enlarged NE isometric view of the first embodiment with the back plate a neck assembly and internal components omitted, Figure 1.4.1 is a plan view of the components shown in Figure 1.4, Figure 1.5 is an enlarge NE isometric view of a base assembly, Figure 1.6 is an enlarged plan view of the base assembly, Figure 1.7 is an enlarged side elevation of the base assembly, Figure 1.8 is a NE isometric view of a neck assembly supporting a visual display unit and sensor bar, Figure 1.9 is a left side elevation of the neck assembly supporting a visual display unit and sensor bar, Figure 1.10 is an isometric SW view of an adapter for attaching a visual display unit, Figure 1.11 in an isometric SW view of the neck assembly.

Detailed Description of Drawings

1008] The portable virtual reality kiosk of the first embodiment comprises a base assembly 1, a column/case assembly 2 and a neck assembly 3 capable of supporting an adapter 4.

[009] The base assembly 1 comprises a rigid plate 5 of generally rectangular plan. The plate 5 can be formed of mild steel. The plate 5 is formed with two cut-outs at a rear edge. The cut-outs are spaced towards the lateral edges of the plate 5. Each cut-out receives one of two similar caster wheel assemblies 6 such that the rim of each caster wheel depends below an underside of the plate 5 in order to elevate the rear edge of the plate above the ground when the caster wheels rest on the ground. An opposite front edge of the plate is ground engageable during stationary use but may be provided with resilient buffers to protect the floor. The resilient buffers can be secured into holes 7.

[ow] Hand grips are formed by two, similar, laterally spaced grip cut-outs 8 each located between the caster wheel assemblies 6 to form hand grip members 9 which are elevated from the ground by the caster wheels.

/ow Two ventilation holes 10 are formed towards the centre of the base panel 6 leaving a central web 11.

[012) A quick release base 1 to column/case securing mechanism is provided by a pivot pin 12, and pin means by machine screws 13 and nuts 14. The pivot pin 12 may be provided by a machine screw secured into a threaded hole formed centrally in the web 11 and extending perpendicular to the surface of the base panel 5. Machine screws 13 are secured into an arrangement of threaded holes formed into the base panel 5 so that nuts 14 can be secured spaced by a gap 15 from the base panel. Each of the four machine screws 13 is located at a similar radial distance from the pivot pin 12.

[013) The column/case 2 is formed mainly from sheet metal and comprises a front case part 16 and a rear case part 16.1. The front case part 16 has a front wall 17 a left side wall 18, a right side wall 19 and a floor panel 20. The left side wall may include sockets for USB and HDMI which are connected to the PC inside to allow the virtual reality headset and sensors to be connected. The headset and sensors can thereby be transported separately or not connected if not required.

[014] Left and right flanges 18.1 and 19.1 are formed on the rear edges of the left and right side walls respectively into which screw holes 18.2 and 19.2 are formed to cooperate with screw holes 16.2 formed in the rear case part 16.1 whereby the rear case part 16.1 can be removably secured to the front case part 17.

[015) In a variant of the kiosk the rear case part 16.1 can provide a hinged lockable door able to swing open to allow access to the PC.

[0161 The floor panel 20 has a pivot hole 20.1 disposed to receive the pivot pin 12 and to allow the machine screws 13 to align, one each with each of four through holes 21 formed in the floor panel. Each through hole 21 communicates with an arcuate slot 22 extending part way around the circumference of a circle centred on the pivot pin 11 in the counter-clockwise direction. The width of each slot 22 is less than the diameter of the nuts 14 so that locating the machine screws 13 and nuts in the holes 21 and rotating the case will secure the case 2 against the base 1 in a secured position. The case 2 and base 1 may be locked into the secured condition by tightening one or more of the nuts 14.

[0171 The floor panel 20 includes two cut-outs 23 arranged to be coincident with the cut-outs when the case 2 is rotated to the secured position in order to provide ventilation.

[o/a The front case part includes mounting features (not shown) to secure an ATX motherboard PC 24 and a power supply unit 25. A horizontal panel 26 is installed above the power supply unit 25 to support cooling fans. There may also be a bracket to support a hard disk, [a/s] The neck assembly 3 comprises a front part 27 secured to a rear part 28. The front part 27 comprises an upright left wall 27.1 a right wall 27.2 and a front wall 27.3. The front wall 27.3 has a lower part which slopes rearwardly to a vertical upright part. The side walls 27.1 and 27.2 have an upper edge which slopes up and to the rear folded to provide a flange part 27.3 and 27.4 respectively. The rear neck part 28 has a left side wall 28.1, a right side wall 28.2 and a rear wall 28.3. Each of the left and right rear side walls have an upper edge folded to form a flange 28.4 and 28.5 which slopes rearwardly at the same angle as the flanges 27.3 and 27.4 to form a continuous planar surface. A flange 28.6 is formed along the rear edge of the rear wall 28.3. Each of the flanges 27.3, 27.4, 28.4, 28.5, 28.6 include at least one keyhole shaped hole 27.5, 27.6, 28., 28.8, 28.9.

1020] An adapter is shown in figure 1.10 formed from a flat rectangular rear plate 29, having left and right side walls formed by bending the side edges 29.1 and 29.2 perpendicular to the rear plate. Flanges 29.3, 29.4 are formed on the edges of the side walls. The flanges include holes 29.5, 29.6 to receive fastening screws whereby the adapter can be permanently secured to corresponding screw holes present in the rear panels of a visual display unit 30. Thumb screws 31 are secured into threaded screw holes formed in the back plate allowing the head of each thumb screw 31 to be received into the holes 27.5, 27.6, 28.7, 28.8, 28.9 where the screw shaft can locate into the narrow part of the hole. A spring loaded latch bolt 32 locates into a lock hole 33 to prevent the adapter sliding and releasing unless the spring bolt is intentionally tensioned to withdraw it from the hole. The adapter includes a ventilation aperture 29.7 which, when the adapter is assembled with the case column 2, cooperates with a ventilation passage 3.1 formed between the front and rear neck parts 27, 28. The chimney formed by the ventilation panels in the base, case column and adapter encourage convective flow of cooling air into the vents 23 up past the ATX board and PSU and out through the adapter past the vents in the visual display unit so minimising demand on the internal cooling fans and minimising consequent unwanted noise and power consumption.

(621) A sensor bar 34 comprises a mounting plate part 34.1 depending from the upper edge of an elongate lateral bar 34.2. The mounting plate 34.1 includes screw holes 34.3 disposed to receive thumb screws whereby the sensor bar can be secured into threaded holes provided in the rear panel of the visual display unit 30 so that the lateral bar extends beyond the sides of the visual display unit 30. The screw holes 34.3 are keyhole shaped and disposed so that the weight of the sensor bar urges the thumb screws to locate into the narrow part of the hole. One keyhole shaped hole 34.3.1 may be inverted relative to the others to receive a spring tensioned lock bolt 34.3.2, to provide security against shock and facilitate quickly releasing the sensor bar from the visual display unit.

[022] The sensor bar 34 may be modular to accommodate sensors with differing physical dimensions and fixings.

(023] The ends of the lateral bar 34.2 are bent around to form forward facing panels 34.4 so that when the kiosk is assembled and deployed ready for use the forward facing panels 34.4 lie in a substantially vertical plane in front of the upwardly inclined visual display unit. The forward facing panels 34.4 include apertures 34.5 into which motion sensors 34.6 are received.

1024] A handle 35 is disposed on the rear wall 28.3 of the neck part 28 which facilitates tilting the assembled kiosk rearwardly so that it is supported on the caster wheels and can be moved across a flat floor without disassembly. A cradle 36 is attached to the outside surface of the rear wall 28.3 to cradle a virtual reality headset 37.

[0251 In a variant of the kiosk the cradle 36 may be detachable and/or attached to the front of the kiosk.

[026] For carriage to and from a venue the kiosk can be readily disassembled into sub-assemblies comprising the base assembly 1, case column 2 and a visual display unit assembly comprising the visual display unit 30, adapter 4 and sensor bar 34. The subassemblies can be packed into suitably padded flight cases for transport.

Claims

Claims 1. A portable virtual reality kiosk comprising: a ground engaging base (1), and a column/case (2) upstanding from the ground engaging base to support a visual display unit, wherein the column/case (2) is adapted by means of a base quick release coupling to be connected to or disconnected from the base (1), and a quick release adapter (4) is provided to facilitate connecting and disconnecting a visual display unit (30) from the top of the column case (2).
2. A kiosk according to claim 1 comprising a sensor bar (34) adapted to deploy two or more motion sensors (34.6) in a front facing position in front of and at least one to each side of the visual display unit (30).
3. A kiosk according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the column/case (2) accommodates a full size ATX motherboard (24).
4. A kiosk according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the base quick release coupling operates by relative motion of the case/column and the base (1) in the plane of the base (1).
5. A kiosk according to claim 4 wherein the base quick release coupling operates by relative rotation of the column/case (2) about a vertical axis in one direction to secure the column/case (2) to the base and in the opposite direction to release the column/case (2).
6. A kiosk according to claim 5 wherein the column/case (2) includes a floor panel (20) which is disposed parallel to the base (1) when connected to the base (1), one of said base (1) or said floor panel (20) having an arcuate slot (22) disposed to receive and trap a pin means (13, 14) secured into the other of the floor panel (20) and the base (1).
7. A kiosk according to claim 6 wherein one of the base (1) or the floor panel (20) supports a pivot pin (12) disposed to be received into a pivot hole (20.1) disposed in the other of the base (1) or floor panel (2D).
8. A kiosk according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the adapter (4) is provided with screw holes (29.5, 29.6) whereby the adapter can be secured using machine screws to corresponding screw holes in the rear panel of the visual display unit (30), and rearwardly projecting pin means (31) engageable in a slot formed in a flange on the top of the case/column (2) whereby the weight of the visual display unit and adapter urges the pins to engage into the slots.
9. A kiosk according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the pin means are provided by thumb screws (31) and the slots are keyhole shaped holes (27.5,27.6, 28.7, 28.8, 28.9) formed in flanges (27.3, 27.4, 28.3, 28.4, 28.6) in an upper edge of the case/column (2).
10. A kiosk according to claim 9 wherein a spring loaded latch bolt (32) is captured in the adapter to be received into a lock hole (33) formed in a flange (28.6) to ensure that the adapter and visual display unit cannot be bounced out of engagement when the kiosk is moved in an assembled condition.
11. A kiosk according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a caster wheel (6) is mounted on one edge of the base (1) to facilitate movement of the assembled kiosk.
12. A kiosk according to any one of the preceding claims wherein hand grip members (9) are formed into the base (1).
13. A kiosk according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the sensor bar (34) is adapted to be secured to the rear panel of the visual display unit (30).
14. A kiosk according to claim 13 wherein the sensor bar (34) is secured by quick release means to the visual display unit (30) to facilitate rapid disassembly.
15. A kiosk according to any one of the preceding claims wherein vents are provided in the base (1) the floor panel (20) and at the top of the column case (2) to provide convective cooling.