Telepresence Seating With Head-Height Display Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current video-conferencing setups often fail to replicate in-person communication effectively due to improper display positioning, leading to awkward and less productive interactions, especially when multiple participants are involved, and lack of dedicated equipment in non-designated spaces.
Innovation Solution
The development of seating units with display support systems that elevate devices to a height similar to a seated user's head, allowing for multiple displays to be positioned in various orientations and locations to mimic face-to-face communication, leveraging unutilized space between participants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If displays are positioned on conventional surfaces (desks, tables), then they are easily accessible, but they are positioned at incorrect vertical heights that do not replicate face-to-face communication angles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a display support arm as an intermediary device between the display and the seating unit. This arm includes a display support surface positioned at a vertical height that replicates face-to-face communication angles, mediating between the display and the user to achieve authentic video conferencing interaction while maintaining ease of access
2Ease of operation
If multiple displays are positioned in front of seating units, then viewing is improved for all participants, but the space required increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension by positioning display supports at elevated heights above the seating unit, rather than spreading displays horizontally across surfaces. This dimensional shift allows multiple displays to be arranged vertically, improving viewing angles for all participants while minimizing the horizontal office space required
3Ease of manufacture
If displays are positioned at correct face-to-face heights, then communication authenticity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display support arm is designed as a universal, multi-functional component that can support various display devices (monitors, tablets, smartphones) at the optimal face-to-face communication height. This standardized support structure replicates authentic in-person interaction angles while maintaining simple, adaptable design that does not significantly increase overall system complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A method for video-teleconferencing includes providing a plurality of seating units, each adapted to support a seated user thereon such that a head of the seated user is located at a first vertical height, and providing at least one seating unit of the plurality of seating units with a display support adapted to support a display in a forwardly-facing orientation with respect to the seating unit so that the display is viewable from a position located in front of the seating unit, the display support further adapted to support the display at a second vertical height that is substantially the same as the first vertical height for use in video-conferencing applications while located on the seating unit.