Desktop device with adjustable flat screen display

Abstract

A relatively small transportable desktop computer/workstation with a display panel assembly in combination with a microprocessor or controller is made display screen position adjustable, in inclination angle, azimuth angle and elevation translation movements. The workstation can have a pen or stylus touch screen input function added, so that a user operator can write, draw and sketch directly onto the screen in a natural manner. The workstation can be placed on top of a desk or table providing an ergonomic man-machine interface for information communications between individual users via a communications network. A keyboard, voice/speaker telephone, mouse or trackball input unit, and communications modem may be added to the workstation. The flat panel display, pen input device and microprocessor can be combined into an assembly, which can be removed from the main body for portable mobile computing operation.

1 . A flat panel computer monitor, comprising: 
 a flat panel display assembly including an LCD display screen, and associated microprocessor and support electronics for the LCD display screen;    a base that is adapted to be placed on a desk top, wherein the base does not house the associated microprocessor and support electronics for the LCD display screen;    a support post assembly affixed to the base at a first end; and    a hinge attached to the support post assembly at a second end, the hinge also being attached to the flat panel display assembly, the flat panel display assembly being selectively positioned in a range of inclination angles relative to the base to accommodate user preference and held in a selected position by the friction of the hinge;    wherein the support post assembly includes telescoping actuator assist means for elevation position adjustment to accommodate user height preference of the flat panel display assembly relative to the base and provide an upward force upon the flat panel display assembly to assist the user in adjusting the position of the flat panel display assembly.    
     
     
         2 . The support stand of  claim 1 , wherein the hinge has a pivot pin without a spring.  
     
     
         3 . The support stand of  claim 1 , wherein the flat panel display pivots between a portrait and a landscape orientation on the hinge without contacting the base.  
     
     
         4 . The support stand of  claim 1 , wherein the support post includes a telescoping actuator assist mechanism that provides for elevation travel of the flat panel display assembly relative to the base.  
     
     
         5 . The support stand of  claim 1 , further comprising a hand knob that applies a force to a springless hinge for selectively locking and unlocking the springless hinge.