阅读说明：本技术 设备安装座的铰链机构 (Hinge mechanism of equipment mounting base ) 是由 约书亚·戴维斯 奥利弗·罗斯 于 2019-10-03 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种设备安装座包括位于联接到设备安装座的设备的顶部边缘的摄像头和被配置为使联接的设备旋转的铰链。铰链具有安装板和往复件,安装板被配置成将铰链连接到设备安装座,往复件被配置成将设备连接到铰链。往复件相对于安装板在横向模式和纵向模式之间旋转,使得联接的设备的顶表面和摄像头之间的距离在横向模式和纵向模式之间保持固定。(A device mount includes a camera at a top edge of a device coupled to the device mount and a hinge configured to rotate the coupled device. The hinge has a mounting plate configured to connect the hinge to the device mount and a shuttle configured to connect the device to the hinge. The shuttle rotates relative to the mounting plate between a landscape mode and a portrait mode such that a distance between a top surface of the coupled device and the camera remains fixed between the landscape mode and the portrait mode.)

1. An equipment mount comprising:

a camera positioned over a top edge of an appliance coupled to the appliance mount; and

a hinge configured to rotate a coupled device, the hinge comprising:

a mounting plate configured to couple the hinge to the device mount; and

a shuttle configured to couple the device to the hinge, wherein the shuttle rotates relative to the mounting plate between a landscape mode and a portrait mode such that a distance between a top surface of the coupled device and the camera remains fixed between the landscape mode and the portrait mode.

2. The equipment mount of claim 1, further comprising:

a bearing cap configured to be inserted into an opening in the mounting plate to couple the mounting plate to the equipment mount;

a shuttle bushing configured to couple the mounting plate to the shuttle; and

one or more securing mechanisms configured to couple the device to the shuttle.

3. The equipment mount of claim 1, wherein the mounting plate includes at least one slot along a path along which the shuttle rotates and the shuttle is configured to rotate about a pivot point, the rotation of the shuttle causing the shuttle bushing to move through each slot in the mounting plate.

4. The device mount of claim 3, wherein the hinge further comprises a bearing configured to enable the shuttle to rotate about the pivot point, the bearing comprising:

an outer ring in a fixed position inside the bearing cap;

an inner ring configured to secure the shuttle for rotation about the pivot point; and

a plurality of balls configured to enable the inner ring to rotate about the pivot point.

5. The equipment mount of claim 1, further comprising:

a spring configured to stabilize rotation of the shuttle relative to the mounting plate, the spring comprising:

a first end coupled to the mounting plate by a spring bushing; and

a second end coupled to the shuttle by a shuttle bushing coupling the mounting plate to the shuttle.

6. The equipment mount of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one stop coupled to an edge of the shuttle;

at least one end corresponding to each stop block, wherein each end block is coupled to the equipment mount to stop rotation of the shuttle upon contact between the stop block and the corresponding end block; and

a stop lock configured to magnetically secure the shuttle in a position where the stop block contacts a corresponding end block.

7. The equipment mount of claim 6, further comprising:

a cam damping mechanism configured to slow rotation of the shuttle at the end stop, the cam damping mechanism comprising:

a rotary damper coupled to the shuttle; and

a cam coupled to the shuttle, the cam positioned to slide within a slot in the mounting plate as the shuttle rotates.

8. The equipment mount of claim 1, further comprising:

a spring configured to balance a mass of the device coupled to the shuttle, the spring comprising:

a first end coupled to the shuttle by a spring link; and

a second end coupled to an adjustment slide by a threaded interface and a screw, the adjustment slide capable of adjusting a tension of the spring.

9. The equipment mount of claim 1, further comprising:

a gear damping mechanism configured to slow rotation of the shuttle, the gear damping mechanism comprising:

a rotational damper coupled to the mounting plate; and

a gear coupled to the shuttle.

10. A method for assembling an equipment mount, the method comprising:

aligning a mounting plate of a hinge with a mounting interface on the equipment mount;

coupling an aligned hinge to the mounting interface using one or more screws, the hinge further comprising a shuttle configured to rotate relative to the mounting plate between a landscape mode and a portrait mode; and

aligning a retaining ring on a device with the shuttle of the hinge; and

coupling an aligned device to the shuttle of the hinge using one or more screws.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

inserting a bearing cap into an opening in the mounting plate to couple the mounting plate to the equipment mount;

coupling the mounting plate to the shuttle through a shuttle bushing; and

coupling the retaining ring of the device to the shuttle by one or more securing mechanisms.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

rotating the shuttle about a pivot point, the rotation of the shuttle causing the shuttle bushing to move through a slot in the mounting plate, the slot following a path along which the shuttle rotates.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the hinge further comprises a bearing configured to enable the shuttle to rotate about the pivot point, the bearing comprising:

an outer ring in a fixed position inside the bearing cap;

an inner ring configured to secure the shuttle for rotation about the pivot point; and

a plurality of balls configured to enable the inner ring to rotate about the pivot point.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

stabilizing rotation of the shuttle relative to the mounting plate with a spring, the spring comprising:

a first end coupled to the mounting plate by a spring bushing; and

a second end coupled to the shuttle by a shuttle bushing coupling the mounting plate to the shuttle.

15. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

stopping rotation of the shuttle upon contact between a stop block coupled to an edge of the shuttle and a corresponding end block coupled to the equipment mount; and

the reciprocating member is magnetically fixed by a stop lock at a position where the stop block contacts the corresponding end block.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

slowing rotation of the shuttle at an end stop using a cam damping mechanism comprising:

a rotary damper coupled to the shuttle; and

a cam coupled to the shuttle, the cam positioned to slide within a slot in the mounting plate as the shuttle rotates.

17. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

balancing a mass of a device coupled to the shuttle with a spring, the spring comprising:

a first end coupled to the shuttle by a spring link; and

a second end coupled to an adjustment slide by a threaded interface and a screw, the adjustment slide capable of adjusting a tension of the spring.

18. The equipment mount of claim 1, further comprising:

slowing rotation of the shuttle using a gear damping mechanism, the gear damping mechanism comprising:

a rotational damper coupled to the mounting plate; and

a gear coupled to the shuttle.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates generally to hinge mechanisms (change mechanisms), and more particularly, to hinge mechanisms of display mounts configured to rotate a display between a portrait mode and a landscape mode.

A communication system includes a device mounted on a device mount that may rest or be mounted on a surface. The device mount includes a camera so that the device can be used for video calls. The display is rotatably attached to the device mount for rotation between at least a lateral direction and a longitudinal direction. In either direction, the top edge (or, alternatively, the center) of the device is offset in the same vertical direction from the camera on the device mount. This allows the display to be rotated between directions when viewed at the far end of the video call without moving the user's line of sight. The device may have a hinge mechanism designed to rotate the display about off-axis pivot points, and a counterweight and damping mechanism for natural feel. The hinge mechanism may be designed to translate the display along one or more axes. The path, speed and/or type of movement of the display may be related to the context. For example, the display may have a resting state in which the display overlays the camera (e.g., in a power-off mode or a privacy mode), and the display may have an active state (e.g., in a power-on mode or when a user is engaged in a video call using the communication system) in which the display does not overlay the camera. The hinge mechanism may rotate or translate the display from a resting state to an active state such that the camera is exposed to capture images and/or video of the user.

Brief Description of Drawings

Fig. 1A-1B illustrate a communication system in a first mode and a second mode in accordance with one or more embodiments.

Fig. 2A illustrates an exploded view and fig. 2B illustrates a perspective view of a communication system in accordance with one or more embodiments.

Fig. 3A shows a perspective view of a back side of a communication system, and fig. 3B shows an enlarged perspective view of a hinge mounted to a device mount, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of an exemplary hinge in accordance with one or more embodiments.

Fig. 5A-5B illustrate front and rear views of the hinge of fig. 4 in accordance with one or more embodiments.

Fig. 6A-6B illustrate front and rear views of an exemplary hinge according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exploded view of a hinge in accordance with one or more embodiments.

Fig. 8A-8C illustrate a process for assembling a device to a device mount, according to one or more embodiments.

Fig. 9A-9E illustrate an example communication system in accordance with one or more embodiments.

Fig. 10A-10C illustrate variations of an exemplary hinge according to one or more embodiments.

Fig. 11A-11C illustrate perspective views of an example communication system 1100 in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 12 illustrates a variation of the hinge of FIGS. 11A-11C in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 13 illustrates a variation of the hinge of FIGS. 11A-11C in accordance with one or more embodiments.

Fig. 14 illustrates a transition of an exemplary hinge between a portrait mode and a landscape mode in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 15 illustrates an exemplary hinge according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 16 illustrates an exemplary hinge according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 17 illustrates an exemplary hinge according to one or more embodiments.

The figures depict embodiments of the present disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles or advantages of the disclosure described herein.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1A-1B illustrate a communication system 100 in a first mode and a second mode in accordance with one or more embodiments. Communication system 100 enables communication between users located in different locations. Communication system 100 may implement various forms of communication such as real-time audio and/or video calls, instant messaging, email messages, or other modes of communication. In one embodiment, communication system 100 connects users with one or more users individually and/or simultaneously. In the embodiment of fig. 1A-1B, communication system 100 includes a user device 105 secured to a device mount 110. Device 105 includes a display 115, display 115 enabling a user to view information displayed by device 105 and/or interact with device 105. Device mount 110 includes a camera 120 that can capture images and/or video of a user of user device 105.

Device 105 is a computing device capable of receiving user input as well as sending and/or receiving data via a network. In one embodiment, device 105 is a conventional computer system, such as a desktop or laptop computer, which may be mounted to device mount 110. Alternatively, device 100 may be a computer-enabled device, such as a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet device, or other suitable device, which may be mounted to device mount 110. In the embodiment of fig. 1A-1B, device 100 may be configured to communicate via a network that connects device 105 with other devices 105 on the network. In one embodiment, the device 105 executes an application that allows a user of the device 105 to interact with the communication platform. For example, device 105 executes a browser application to enable interaction between device 105 and a communication platform via a network. In another embodiment, the device 105 operates by operating in the device 105 native operating system (e.g. native)Or ANDROID^TM) An Application Programming Interface (API) to interact with the communication platform. Examples of a communication platform may include a text and/or messaging application, an email messaging application, a social media application, a video conferencing application, or other suitable form of communication. The display 110 may provide a user interface for a user to interact with the device 105, the communication platform, or some combination thereof. In one embodiment, the display 110 is a touch screen configured to receive user input. The display 110 may also display a video chat stream, enabling a user to view his/her own video, a video of another user of the video chat, or some combination thereof.

The device mount 110 is a mount that secures the device 105. The device mount 110 positions the device 105 so that a user of the device 105 can comfortably view the display 115. In the embodiment of fig. 1A-1B, device mount 110 positions device 105 in a portrait mode as shown in fig. 1A, or in a landscape mode as shown in fig. 1B. In the portrait mode, the device 110 is oriented such that its height is greater than its width. In the landscape mode, the device is oriented such that its width is greater than its height. Device mount 110 includes a hinge (shown, for example, in fig. 4) that transitions device 105 between portrait mode and landscape mode, and vice versa. The hinge is actuated by the user so that the user can select a preferred mode of the display 115 that is appropriate for the user's use. Device mount 110 includes a camera 120 that can capture images and/or video of a user of user device 105. In one embodiment, the hinge is designed such that the top edge (or, alternatively, the center) of the display 115 has a vertical offset from the camera that is the same in both portrait and landscape modes. In this configuration, the angle at which the user gazes at the display 115 is substantially the same in either the portrait mode or the landscape mode. This may be beneficial, for example, when a user is using device 105 to video chat with another user, and user 105 may seamlessly transition device 105 between portrait mode and landscape mode without affecting the user experience while video chat. In one embodiment, device mount 110 is configured to move device 105 such that device 105 covers a camera on device mount 110, for example, in a privacy mode. In one embodiment, the device mount 110 may include a speaker configured to connect with the display 115. Various embodiments of the hinge will be discussed in further detail herein.

Fig. 2A shows an exploded view of communication system 100, and fig. 2B shows a perspective view of communication system 100, in accordance with one or more embodiments. In the embodiment of fig. 2A-2B, device 105 is mounted to device mount 110 via a hinge 205. Hinge 205 is an assembly that includes a fixed component mounted to device mount 110 and a movable component that enables device 105 to move relative to device mount 110. The user actuates the hinge 205 by providing user input to, for example, the device 105 coupled to the hinge 205 to transition the device 105 between the portrait mode and the landscape mode. In the embodiment of fig. 2A-2B, the movable portion of hinge 205 is mounted to device 105 in an off-center position (i.e., not located at the center of device 105). In this configuration, when actuated by a user, the hinge 205 moves the device 105 along a predetermined path to change the orientation of the device 105 between a portrait mode and a landscape mode. The predetermined path may be linear, curved, or some combination thereof, resulting in translation, rotation, or some combination thereof, of device 105. In the embodiment of fig. 2A-2B, the hinge 205 is designed to rotate the device 105 along a semicircular path. In an alternative embodiment, the hinge is mounted to the device 105 at the center of the device 105 such that the axis of rotation of the device 105 is aligned with the center of the device 105. Other embodiments of the hinge are discussed in further detail herein.

Fig. 3A shows a perspective view of the back of the communication system 100, and fig. 3B shows an enlarged perspective view of the hinge 205 mounted to the device mount 100, in accordance with one or more embodiments. In the embodiment of fig. 2-3, hinge 205 includes a bearing 305. Bearing 305 includes an outer ring 310 and an inner ring 315, where outer ring 310 is secured within opening 320 of equipment mount 100 and inner ring 315 is rotatably mounted within outer ring 310. In this configuration, outer ring 310 mounts the fixed components of hinge 205 to device mount 100, while inner ring 315 enables the movable components of hinge 205 to rotate relative to device mount 100. In the embodiment of fig. 2-3, the hinge 205 includes a single bearing, while alternative embodiments may include more than one bearing.

Fig. 4 illustrates a front view of an exemplary hinge 400 in accordance with one or more embodiments. Hinge 400 mounts device 105 to device mount 110 and enables device 105 to move relative to device mount 110. In the embodiment of fig. 4, hinge 400 includes a mounting plate 402, a shuttle 404, one or more slots 406, one or more shuttle bushings 408, a bearing cap 410 (shown in fig. 5A-5B), a bearing 412, a torsion spring 414, a spring bushing 416, one or more stops 418, and one or more stop locks 420. Hinge 400 may also include a balance member, such as spring 422, spring link 424, adjustment slide 426, and adjustment screw 428. Hinge 400 may also include damping components such as gear damping mechanism 430 and cam damping mechanism 432. In the embodiment of fig. 4, the components are typically made of a rigid material (e.g., hard plastic, metal, or some combination thereof).

Mounting plate 402 mounts hinge 400 to device mount 110. In the embodiment of fig. 4, the mounting plate 402 is a stationary component that is mounted to the equipment mount 110 with one or more securing mechanisms (e.g., a threaded component and corresponding threaded interface, a mounting pin and interference fit, or other suitable securing mechanism). Mounting plate 402 includes an opening that receives bearing cap 410, which is designed to secure the outer ring of bearing 412 such that the outer ring of bearing 412 remains stationary with respect to device mount 105 and the inner ring of bearing 412 can freely rotate within the outer ring of bearing 412 about pivot point 434 (i.e., the center of bearing 412). The mounting plate 402 includes several mounting interfaces for securing other components of the hinge 400, as will be discussed in further detail.

The shuttle 404 moves relative to the mounting plate 402. The shuttle 404 is mounted to the device 105 by one or more securing mechanisms (e.g., threaded components and corresponding threaded interfaces, mounting pins and interference fits, or other suitable securing mechanisms). In this configuration, the shuttle 404 enables the device 105 to move relative to the mounting plate 402 mounted to the device mount 110. The shuttle 404 is coupled to the mounting plate 402 with one or more shuttle bushings 408. In the embodiment of fig. 4, the shuttle 404 includes a first shuttle bushing 408a and a second shuttle bushing 408b, each of the first and second shuttle bushings 408a, 408b fitting into a respective slot 406a, 406b on the mounting plate 402. The shuttle sleeve 408 is designed to slide back and forth within the slot 406, and the slot 406 is sized such that the shuttle sleeve 408 can move freely within the slot 406 without falling out of the slot 406. In the embodiment of fig. 4, the shuttle 404 is configured to rotate about a pivot point 434, which results in a corresponding movement of the shuttle bushing 408 through the slot 406. In this configuration, the slot 406 is the predetermined path along which the shuttle 404 moves. As shown in fig. 4, the groove 406 has a substantially uniform radius of curvature. Alternative embodiments may include slots having different directions or geometries depending on the type of motion desired for adjusting the orientation of the device 105 from a portrait mode to a landscape mode, and from a landscape mode to a portrait mode.

The bearing 412 enables the shuttle 404 to rotate about the pivot point 434. As previously described, bearing 412 is secured within bearing cap 410. In the embodiment of fig. 4, the bearing 412 includes an outer ring, an inner ring, and a plurality of balls (balls). The outer ring of bearing 412 remains stationary within bearing cap 410 and a plurality of balls enable the inner ring to rotate relative to the outer ring. The shuttle 404 may include a fixed interface fixed to the inner ring of the bearing 412 such that the shuttle 404 and the inner ring rotate together about a pivot point 434.

The torsion spring 414 provides a bi-stable force for movement of the shuttle 404 relative to the mounting plate 402. A first end of a torsion spring 414 is mounted to the mounting plate 402 with a spring bushing 416 and a second end of the torsion spring 414 is secured to the first shuttle bushing 408 a. In this configuration, the first end of the torsion spring 414 remains stationary while the second end of the torsion spring 414 moves along the path of the slot 406a with the shuttle sleeve 408 a. In the embodiment of fig. 4, the torsion spring 414 is comprised of a wire.

Stop 418 is a feature positioned on an edge of shuttle 404 to stop rotation of shuttle 404 about pivot point 434 at some end point. Stop block 418 is designed to meet a corresponding end stop 436 on device mount 110 so that shuttle 404 does not rotate past end stop 436. The stop block 418 and end stop 436 ensure that the shuttle 404 stops rotating at certain endpoints so that the device 105 is in either a landscape mode or a portrait mode at the endpoints.

Detent lock 420 is a magnetic feature on shuttle 404 that secures shuttle 404 in its proper position at the end point. The detent lock 420 is designed to meet a corresponding magnet 438 on the device mount 110 such that once the detent 418 meets a corresponding end stop 436 at an endpoint, the shuttle 404 is fixed in either a lateral mode or a longitudinal mode. In one embodiment, the shuttle 404 may include more than one detent lock 420, for example, at each corner of the shuttle 404. In one embodiment, the end stop 436 may also be a magnet.

The spring 422 provides a counterbalancing force to the mass of the device 105 mounted to the shuttle 404. In the embodiment of fig. 4, the spring 422 is an extension spring, but may be configured as a compression spring in other embodiments. A first end of the spring 422 is coupled to the shuttle 404 with a spring link 424 and a second end of the spring 422 is coupled to an adjustment slider 426. The adjustment slide 426 includes a threaded interface that mates with an adjustment screw 428. Loosening or tightening the adjustment screw 428 causes the adjustment slide 426 to translate, which enables the tension of the spring 422 to be fine-tuned for the mass of the device 105.

The gear damping mechanism 430 damps the rotation of the reciprocating member 404. The gear damping mechanism 430 includes a rotational damper 440 and a gear 442. In the embodiment of fig. 4, a rotational damper 440 is mounted to the mounting plate 402 and a gear 442 is mounted to the shuttle 404. In alternative embodiments, the components may swap locations. The rotational damper 440 and gear 442 are continuously engaged, which helps control the rotation of the shuttle 404. For example, if actuated quickly and/or forcefully, the gear damping mechanism 430 slows rotation of the shuttle 404.

The cam damping mechanism 432 damps the rotation of the shuttle 404 at the end stop 436. The cam damping mechanism 432 includes a rotary damper 444 and a cam 446. In the embodiment of fig. 4, a rotational damper 444 is mounted to the shuttle 404 and a cam 446 is mounted to the mounting plate 402. In some embodiments, the components may swap locations. The cam 446 is positioned within a slot 448 in the mounting plate 402 such that the cam 446 slides within the slot 448. As the shuttle 404 rotates relative to the mounting plate 402, the cam 446 slides within the slot 448 and at the end of the shuttle 404 rotation, the cam 446 is designed to abut a feature on the mounting plate 402. As the rotational damper 444 and the cam 446 are continuously engaged, the cam 446 rotates relative to the rotational damper 444 as the cam 446 approaches and abuts the feature on the mounting plate 402. In this configuration, the cam damping mechanism 432 damps rotation near the end of rotation of the shuttle 404.

Fig. 5A-5B illustrate front and rear views of the hinge 400 of fig. 4 in accordance with one or more embodiments. In fig. 5A-5B, the spring 422 is disengaged from the spring link 424.

Fig. 6A-6B illustrate front and rear views of an exemplary hinge 600 in accordance with one or more embodiments. Similar to hinge 400, hinge 600 mounts device 105 to device mount 110 and enables device 105 to move relative to device mount 110. In the embodiment of fig. 6A-6B, hinge 600 includes a mounting plate 602, a shuttle 604, one or more rails 606, a shuttle bushing 608, a bearing cap 610, two bearings 612, a torsion spring 614, a spring bushing 616, one or more stop blocks 618 (not shown), and one or more stop locks 620 (not shown). Hinge 600 may also include a counter balance member such as spring 622, spring link 624, adjustment slide 626 (shown in fig. 7), and adjustment screw 628. Hinge 400 may also include damping components such as gear damping mechanism 630 and cam damping mechanism 632. Gear damping mechanism 630 includes rotational damper 640 and gear 642. The cam damping mechanism 632 includes a rotational damper 644 (shown in FIG. 7) and a cam 646 that moves within a slot 648. In the embodiment of fig. 6, the components are typically made of a rigid material (e.g., hard plastic, metal, or some combination thereof).

Hinge 600 operates similar to hinge 400 and has components similar to hinge 400 such that the corresponding description of fig. 4 is incorporated herein into fig. 6. In the embodiment of fig. 6A-6B, the shuttle 604 includes a shuttle bushing 608, the shuttle bushing 608 being designed to slide along the track 606 on the mounting plate 602 (as opposed to sliding in an open slot). Further, the hinge 600 includes two bearings 612 positioned concentrically. This configuration provides additional stability to the shuttle 604 as the shuttle 604 moves relative to the mounting plate 602 and minimizes any potential wobble of the device 105 mounted to the hinge 600.

Fig. 7 illustrates an exploded view of a hinge 600 in accordance with one or more embodiments. In fig. 7, bearings 612a, 612b, adjustment slide 626 and rotational damper 644 are shown.

Fig. 8A-8C illustrate a process for assembling device 800 to device mount 805 according to one or more embodiments. In fig. 8A, the hinge 810 may be assembled using a simulated screen clamp and a device mount clamp, such that the motion of the hinge 810 may be tested before securing it to the device 800 and the device mount 805. The spring 815 of the hinge 810 may be tensioned by tightening or loosening the adjustment screw 820. This allows the design to account for variations in the mass of the device 800. In some embodiments, a clamp may be used to rationalize the tension of each spring of the assembled hinge (streamline).

In fig. 8B, hinge 810 is positioned onto device mount 805 by aligning the bearing with its mounting interface on device mount 805. The hinge 810 is secured to the device mount 805 using a plurality of screws.

In fig. 8C, the device 800 is positioned onto the hinge 810 by aligning a retaining ring on the device 800 with the shuttle 825 of the hinge 810. The device 800 is secured to the shuttle 825 using a plurality of screws passing through the back of the device mount 805.

Fig. 9A-9D illustrate an exemplary communication system 900 in accordance with one or more embodiments. The communication system 900 includes a user device 905, the user device 905 being secured to the device mount 910 via a hinge 915. Although not shown in fig. 9A-9D, the communication system 900 may further include a camera located on the device mount 910 above the top edge of the device 905. The hinge 915 is adapted to cause the device 905 to change direction between a portrait mode and a landscape mode, and vice versa. A user can provide user input to the device 905 coupled to the hinge 915 to actuate the hinge 915 to switch between the portrait mode and the landscape mode, and vice versa. Fig. 9A-9B illustrate the device 905 and hinge 915 in portrait mode, and fig. 9C-9D illustrate the device 905 and hinge 915 in landscape mode. Fig. 9E shows a rear view of the hinge 915, and fig. 9F shows first and second side views of the hinge 915.

In the embodiment of fig. 9A-9F, the hinge 915 uses a planetary gear system to rotate and translate the device 905 between a portrait mode and a landscape mode. Some embodiments may include a constant force spring to balance the planetary gear system.

Fig. 10A-10C illustrate variations of an exemplary hinge 1000 in accordance with one or more embodiments. In fig. 10A, the hinge 1000 includes a cam 1005 and a cam follower 1010, the cam 1005 and cam follower 1010 being connected to a plurality of springs that move the cam follower 1010 about a pivot point 1015. In the embodiment of fig. 10A, the cam follower 1010 is positioned at a 45 degree angle, but the angle may vary in other embodiments. Fig. 10B shows a hinge 1020 having a cam 1025 with a different geometry configured to translate along a slot 1030, thereby causing the cam 1025 to rotate relative to a pin 1035. Fig. 10C shows a hinge 1040 with a cam 1045, the cam 1045 having a different geometry and including two dual action pins 1050.

Fig. 11A-11C illustrate perspective views of an example communication system 1100 in accordance with one or more embodiments. The communication system 1100 includes a user device 1105 secured to a device mount 1110 via a hinge 1115. In the embodiment of fig. 11A-11C, hinge 1115 includes a slider 1120 and an over-center spring 1125, which enables the hinge to rotate about pivot point 1130. Fig. 11A shows the communication system 1100 in portrait mode, while fig. 11B shows the communication system 1100 in landscape mode. Upon receiving a user input to actuate hinge 1115, slider 1120 slides through slot 1135 and spring 1125 provides a counterbalancing force.

Fig. 12 illustrates a variation of the hinge of fig. 11A-11C in accordance with one or more embodiments. Hinge 1200 is similar to hinge 1115 and also includes a damping mechanism. In the embodiment of fig. 12, hinge 1200 includes a damper gear 1205 and a radial damper 1210. The damping mechanism damps the motion of hinge 1115 to achieve a smooth transition between the longitudinal mode and the transverse mode.

Fig. 13 illustrates a variation of the hinge of fig. 11A-11C in accordance with one or more embodiments. Hinge 1300 is similar to hinge 1115 and includes a cam 1305 and a plurality of extension springs (not shown) in place of over-center spring 1125. Hinge 1300 also includes a back plate 1310 to counteract the moment created by the reciprocating member and the plurality of springs of hinge 1300.

Fig. 14 illustrates a transition of an exemplary hinge 1400 between portrait and landscape modes in accordance with one or more embodiments. Hinge 1400 is similar to hinge 1115 in operation, while hinge 1400 simplifies the attachment mechanism for securing devices, reduces the number of parts, and increases the options for including a linear damper in hinge 1400.

Fig. 15 illustrates an example hinge 1500 in accordance with one or more embodiments. Hinge 1500 includes a cam 1505 coupled to two linear segments 1510, wherein each segment 1510 includes a locating pin 1515 at a distal end. The dowel pins are designed to move along corresponding linear tracks as the cam 1505 rotates. In the embodiment of fig. 17, the linear tracks have an angle of 20 degrees with respect to each other.

Fig. 16 illustrates an example hinge 1600 in accordance with one or more embodiments. The hinge 1600 uses a planetary gear system to rotate and translate the device between a portrait mode and a landscape mode. In the embodiment of fig. 16, the planetary gear system has a pressure angle of 20 degrees.

Fig. 17 illustrates an example hinge 1700 in accordance with one or more embodiments. Similar to hinge 1600, hinge 1700 uses a planetary gear system to rotate and translate the device between a portrait mode and a landscape mode. In the embodiment of fig. 17, the planetary gear system has a pressure angle of 20 degrees.

Additional configuration information

The foregoing description of the embodiments of the disclosure has been presented for the purposes of illustration; it is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above disclosure.

Some portions of the present description describe embodiments of the disclosure in terms of algorithms and symbolic representations of operations on information. These algorithmic descriptions and representations are commonly used by those skilled in the data processing arts to convey the substance of their work effectively to others skilled in the art. These operations, while described functionally, computationally, or logically, are understood to be implemented by computer programs or equivalent electrical circuits, microcode, or the like. Moreover, it has also proven convenient at times, to refer to these arrangements of operations as modules, without loss of generality. The described operations and their associated modules may be embodied in software, firmware, hardware, or any combination thereof.

Any of the steps, operations, or processes described herein may be performed or implemented using one or more hardware or software modules, alone or in combination with other devices. In one embodiment, the software modules are implemented using a computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium containing computer program code, which may be executed by a computer processor, for performing any or all of the steps, operations, or processes described.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may also relate to apparatuses for performing the operations herein. The apparatus may be specially constructed for the required purposes, and/or it may comprise a general purpose computing device selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored in the computer. Such a computer program may be stored in a non-transitory, tangible computer readable storage medium, or any type of medium suitable for storing electronic instructions, which may be coupled to a computer system bus. Moreover, any computing system referred to in the specification may include a single processor, or may be an architecture that employs a multi-processor design to increase computing power.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may also relate to products produced by the computing processes described herein. Such products may include information produced by a computing process, where the information is stored on a non-transitory tangible computer-readable storage medium, and may include any embodiment of the computer program product or other data combination described herein.

Finally, the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and it may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. It is therefore intended that the scope of the disclosure be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by any claims that issue on an application based thereupon. Accordingly, the disclosure of the embodiments is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the disclosure, which is set forth in the following claims.