1. A method for communicating information over a BLSR SONET line switched ring having a plurality of communication terminals connected over a first and a second transmission line, the method comprising the steps of:
at each terminal, inserting an outgoing signal onto said first transmission line along a first direction of transmission defined from said terminal towards the first adjacent terminal, inserting said outgoing signal onto said second transmission line along a second direction of transmission defined from said terminal towards a second adjacent terminal;
at each said terminal, receiving an incoming signal over said first transmission line from said first adjacent terminal, along said first direction of transmission, and from said second adjacent terminal along said second direction of transmission; and
operating said plurality of communication terminals according to a unidirectional protection protocol upon detection of a failure condition in said incoming signal,
wherein said incoming signal comprises an incoming non-ATM STS-W and an incoming ATM STS-Mc multiplexed in an incoming STS-N, and said outgoing signal comprises an outgoing non-ATM STS-W and an outgoing ATM STS-Mc, multiplexed in an outgoing STS-N, where M+W=N, and N, M, and W are integers indicative of the rates of said respective signals,
wherein said unidirectional protection protocol operates according to a variant of a BellCore GR-1230-CORE standard.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein an incoming STM STS-W and an outgoing STM STS-W each comprises a plurality of virtual tributaries (VT).
3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said incoming signal comprises only said STS-Mc and said outgoing signal comprises only said outgoing ATM STS-Mc; and wherein said unidirectional protection protocol operates according to a variant of a BellCore GR-1230-CORE standard, comprising unmodified assignments for all bytes of the transport overhead (TOH) field of said incoming signal, except for
a modified assignment of bits 0-4 of the K1 byte, wherein a first span code is used for a lockout of protection code, a second span code FS-S is used for a signal fail on protection code, and third span codes, and reverse request codes are eliminated; and
a modified assignment of bits 6-8 of the K2 byte, wherein the code \u201cBridges and Switched\u201d is used for a code \u201cSwitch\u201d.
4. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said unidirectional protection protocol operates according to a Bellcore GR-230-CORE standard for said incoming and outgoing non-ATM STS-W and according to a variant of a BellCore GR-1400-CORE standard for said incoming and outgoing ATM STS-Mc, said variant comprising unmodified assignments for all bytes of the transport overhead (TOH) filed of said incoming signal, except for
a modified assignment of bits 0-4 of the K1 byte, wherein a first span code is used for a lockout of protection code, a second span code FS-S is used for a signal fail on protection code, and third span codes (SF-S), (SD-S), and reverse request codes are eliminated; and
a modified assignment of bits 6-8 of the K2 byte, wherein the code \u201cBridges and Switched\u201d is used for a code \u201cSwitched\u201d.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A computer monitor mounting apparatus for mounting a plurality of monitors, comprising:
a plurality of monitors;
a platform having at least one guide attached thereto, wherein the guide also contacts an upwardly facing surface so that the guide maintains the platform on a predetermined path along the upwardly facing surface when the platform moves on the upwardly facing surface;
a frame extending above the platform and attached thereto for moving with the platform when the platform moves along the predetermined path, the frame providing mountings supporting the plurality of the monitors above the platform;
wherein the guide includes parts that move relative to one another within a space between the upwardly facing surface and the platform; and
one or more wheels or rollers for rolling the platform on the upwardly facing surface, wherein the wheels or rollers move over the upwardly facing surface without traveling within a track or channel for at least a portion of a travel extent for the wheels or rollers, each wheel or roller having an extent that rotatably contacts the upwardly facing surface when the platform moves along the predetermined path.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the guide includes a portion that is fixedly attached to the upwardly facing surface.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one guide is attached to the upwardly facing surface, wherein the at least one guide telescopes during movement of the monitor mounting apparatus over the upwardly facing surface.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one guide retracts and extends during movement of the monitor mounting apparatus over the upwardly facing surface.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the platform has a range of movement along the predetermined path of at least 13 inches.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the platform has a range of movement along the predetermined path of less than 20 inches.
7. A computer monitor mounting apparatus for mounting a plurality of monitors, comprising:
a platform having at least one guide attached thereto, wherein the guide also contacts an upwardly facing surface so that the guide maintains the platform on a predetermined path along the upwardly facing surface when the platform moves above the upwardly facing surface;
wherein the guide includes parts that move relative to one another within a space between the upwardly facing surface and the platform; and
a frame extending above the platform and attached thereto for moving with the platform when the platform moves along the predetermined path, the frame providing support for mountings, wherein the mountings connect a plurality of the monitors to the frame above the platform;
one or more wheels or rollers for rolling the platform on the upwardly facing surface, wherein the wheels or rollers move over the upwardly facing surface without traveling within a track or channel for at least a portion of a travel extent for the wheels or rollers; and
wherein the wheels or rollers are at least partially recessed within the platform.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upwardly facing surface includes a substantially horizontal desktop.
9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the frame includes a plurality of vertical posts extending from the platform, wherein the posts convey the weight of the monitors to the platform.
10. A computer monitor mounting apparatus for mounting a plurality of computer monitors, comprising:
a platform having at least one guide attached thereto, wherein the guide also contacts an upwardly facing surface so that the guide maintains the platform on a predetermined path along the upwardly facing surface when the platform moves relative to the upwardly facing surface;
wherein the guide includes parts that move relative to one another within a space between the upwardly facing surface and the platform; and
a frame extending above the platform and attached thereto for moving with the platform when the platform moves along the predetermined path, the frame providing support for mountings, wherein the mountings have both frame attachments to engage the frame, and monitor attachments to attach to the monitors;
wherein the computer monitors are provided along an arc of the frame such that for a corresponding display for each of at least two-thirds of the computer monitors, and for at least one position facing the displays, a distance between:
(a) the at least one position, and
(b) a center of the corresponding display, varies by no more than about 5% from a distance between the at least one position and a center of the corresponding display for each of the other computer monitors of the at least two thirds of the computer monitors.
11. A computer monitor mounting apparatus for mounting a plurality of monitors, comprising:
a platform having at least one guide attached thereto, wherein the guide also contacts an upwardly facing surface so that the guide maintains the platform on a predetermined path along the upwardly facing surface when the platform moves on the upwardly facing surface;
a frame extending above the platform and attached thereto for moving with the platform when the platform moves along the predetermined path, the frame providing support for mountings, wherein the mountings have both frame attachments to attach to the frame, and monitor attachments to attach to the monitors;
wherein the guide includes parts that move relative to one another within a space between the upwardly facing surface and the platform; and
one or more wheels or rollers for rolling the platform on the upwardly facing surface, wherein the wheels or rollers move over the upwardly facing surface without traveling within a track or channel for at least a portion of a travel extent for the wheels or rollers, each wheel or roller having an extent that rotatably contacts the upwardly facing surface when the platform moves along the predetermined path; and
wherein for each position of a plurality of operative user positions for viewing the monitors wherein a corresponding display for each of the monitors faces the position, the monitors are adjustable on the frame so that for each of the corresponding displays, a line of sight thereto from the position has no greater than a 5 degree deviation from a normal to the corresponding display.
12. A computer monitor mounting apparatus for mounting a plurality of monitors, comprising:
a platform having at least one guide attached thereto, wherein the guide also contacts a substantially horizontal upwardly facing surface so that the guide maintains the platform on a predetermined path along the upwardly facing surface when the platform moves across the upwardly facing surface, wherein the guide telescopes in a direction of the path;
a frame extending above the platform and attached thereto for moving with the platform when the platform moves along the predetermined path, the frame including at least one rail for supporting a plurality of the monitors above the platform; and
one or more wheels or rollers for rolling the platform on the upwardly facing surface, wherein the wheels or rollers move over the upwardly facing surface without traveling within a track or channel for at least a portion of a travel extent for the wheels or rollers, each wheel or roller having an extent that rotatably contacts the upwardly facing surface when the platform moves along the predetermined path; and
wherein the monitors are provided along an arc of the frame such that for a corresponding display for each of at least two-thirds of the monitors, and for at least one position facing the displays, a distance between:
(a) the at least one position, and
(b) a center of the corresponding display, varies by no more than about 5% from a distance between the at least one position and a center of the corresponding display for each of the other monitors of the at least two-thirds of the monitors.
13. A computer monitor mounting apparatus for mounting a plurality of monitors, comprising:
a platform having at least one guide attached thereto, wherein the guide also contacts a substantially horizontal upwardly facing surface so that the guide maintains the platform on a predetermined path along the upwardly facing surface when the platform moves across the upwardly facing surface, wherein the guide telescopes in a direction of the path;
a frame extending above the platform and attached thereto for moving with the platform when the platform moves along the predetermined path, the frame including at least one rail to support a plurality of the computer monitors above the platform; and
one or more wheels or rollers for rolling the platform on the upwardly facing surface, wherein the wheels or rollers move over the upwardly facing surface without traveling within an operatively constraining track or channel for at least a portion of a travel extent for the wheels or rollers, each wheel or roller having an extent that rotatably contacts the upwardly facing surface when the platform moves along the predetermined path; and
wherein for each monitor of at least some of the monitors, a corresponding mounting attaches the monitor to the rail wherein the corresponding mounting provides a horizontal range of rotation of the monitor relative to the rail, wherein the horizontal range of rotation is at least 120 degrees for the monitor.
14. The computer monitor mounting apparatus of claim 12, wherein the frame includes two rails vertically spaced apart above the platform, each of the two rails for supporting a different collection of at least two monitors therefrom.
15. The computer monitor mounting apparatus of claim 12, wherein the monitors must move in unison with a movement of the platform along the predetermined path.
16. A computer monitor mounting apparatus for mounting a plurality of monitors, comprising:
a platform having at least one guide attached thereto, wherein the guide also contact an upwardly facing surface so that the guide maintains the platform on a predetermined path along the upwardly facing surface when the platform moves on the upwardly facing surface;
a frame extending above the platform and attached thereto for moving with the platform when the platform moves along the predetermined path, the frame providing mountings for supporting a plurality of the monitors above the platform upon a substantially horizontal rail, wherein each of the mountings have both a corresponding frame attachment to attach the frame and a corresponding monitor attachment to attach to one of the monitors;
wherein at least one of the mountings includes a member for vertically adjusting a height of a monitor supported on the rail, wherein the member includes a plurality of vertical adjustment positions, and wherein at least one of the mountings includes, between its corresponding frame attachment and corresponding monitor attachment, a tilt adjustment for vertically adjusting a tilt of one of the monitors; and
one or more wheels or rollers for rolling the platform on the upwardly facing surface, wherein the wheels or rollers move over the upwardly facing surface without traveling within a track or channel for at least a portion of a travel extent for the wheels or rollers.
17. A computer monitor mounting apparatus for mounting a plurality of monitors, comprising:
a platform having at least one guide attached thereto, wherein the guide also contacts an upwardly facing surface so that the guide maintains the platform on a predetermined path on the upwardly facing surface when the platform moves on the upwardly facing surface;
a frame extending above the platform and attached thereto for moving with the platform when the platform moves along the predetermined path, the frame having thereon mountings for supporting at least some of the plurality of the monitors above the platform via a substantially horizontal rail of the frame, wherein each of the mountings have both a frame attachment to attach to the frame and a monitor attachment to attach to one of the monitors;
wherein for at least one position where a user is able to operatively view each of the at least some of the monitors that are mounted on the rail, a variation in distances from the position to a center point of each of the at least some of the monitors is less than 1.5 inches; and
one or more wheels or rollers for rolling the platform on the upwardly facing surface, wherein the wheels or rollers move over the upwardly facing surface without traveling within a track or channel for at least a portion of a travel extent for the wheels or rollers; and
wherein the monitors are provided along an arc of the frame such that for a corresponding display for each of at least two-thirds of the monitors, and for at least one position facing the displays, a distance between:
(a) the at least one position, and
(b) a center of the corresponding display, varies by no more than about 5% from a distance between the at least one position and a center of the corresponding display for each of the other monitors of the at least two thirds of the monitors.
18. A computer monitor mounting apparatus for mounting a plurality of monitors, comprising:
a platform having at least one guide attached thereto, wherein the guide also contacts an upwardly facing surface so that the guide maintains the platform on a path on the upwardly facing surface when the :platform moves on the upwardly facing surface;
a frame extending above the platform, and attached thereto, for moving with the platform when the platform moves along the path, the frame having thereon mountings for attaching at least some of the plurality of the monitors above the platform on a substantially horizontal first rail of the frame, and for attaching at least one of the monitors, not supported by the first rail, from a substantially horizontal second rail of the frame spaced vertically apart from the first rail;
wherein the monitors are provided along an arc of the frame such that for a corresponding display for each of at least two thirds of the monitors, and for at least one position facing the displays, a distance between:
(a) the at least one position, and
(b) a center of the corresponding display,
the distance varies by no more than about 5% from the a distance between the at least one position and a center of the corresponding display for any each of the other monitors of the at least two thirds of the monitors;
wherein for at least one position where a user is able to operatively view each of the at least some of the monitors, a variation in distances between:
(i)the position to a center point of any of the at least some monitors, and
(ii) the position to the at least one monitor, is less than 2 inches; and
one or more wheels or rollers for rolling the platform on the upwardly facing surface, wherein the wheels or rollers move over the upwardly facing surface without traveling within a track or channel for at least a portion of a travel extent for the wheels or rollers.
19. A computer monitor mounting apparatus for mounting a plurality of monitors, comprising:
a platform having at least one guide attached thereto, wherein the guide also contacts an upwardly facing surface so that the guide maintains the platform on a path on the upwardly facing surface when the platform moves on the upwardly facing surface;
a frame extending above the platform and attached thereto for moving with the platform when the platform moves along the path, the frame providing support for mountings on a substantially horizontal rail of the frame, wherein the mountings support the plurality of the monitors above the platform via the substantially horizontal rail ;
wherein for each monitor of the plurality of monitors, a corresponding one of the mountings includes a member that moves vertically relative to a rail attachment portion of the corresponding mounting, the member for vertically adjusting a tilt of the monitor relative to the substantially horizontal rail; and
one or more wheels or rollers for rolling the platform on the upwardly facing surface, wherein the wheels or rollers move over the upwardly facing surface without traveling within a track or channel for at least a portion of a travel extent for the wheels or rollers.
20. The computer monitor mounting apparatus of claim 19, wherein a first and a second of the plurality of monitors are adjustable independently of one another so that their corresponding tilts are different.
21. A computer monitor mounting apparatus for mounting a plurality of monitors, comprising:
a platform having at least one guide attached thereto, wherein the guide also contact an upwardly facing surface having an extent underneath the platform, wherein the guide maintains the platform along a predetermined path of the upwardly facing surface when the platform moves along the predetermined path;
a frame extending above the platform and attached thereto for moving with the platform when the platform moves along the predetermined path, the frame having thereon mountings for supporting a plurality of the monitors above the platform, wherein each of the mountings has a corresponding frame attachment for attaching to the frame and a corresponding monitor attachment for attaching a corresponding one of the monitors to the frame, and wherein at least one of the mountings includes, between its corresponding frame attachment and corresponding monitor attachment, an angular adjustment component that provides for adjusting a display face of the corresponding monitor for the at least one mounting, wherein angular adjustment component provides one of a vertical tilt of the display face, and a horizontal angular adjustment of the display face;
wherein the guide includes parts that move relative to one another within a space between the upwardly facing surface and the platform;
at least one member extending downwardly to the extent for supporting the platform thereon, wherein the member rotates on the upwardly facing surface when the platform moves along the predetermined path; and
one or more wheels or rollers for rolling the platform on the upwardly facing surface, wherein the wheels or rollers move over the upwardly facing surface without traveling within a track or channel for at least a portion of a travel extent for the wheels or rollers.
22. A computer monitor mounting apparatus for mounting a plurality of monitors, comprising:
a platform having at least one guide attached thereto, wherein the guide is downwardly directed from a downwardly facing surface of the platform, and wherein the guide contacts a substantially horizontal upwardly facing surface so that the guide maintains the platform on a predetermined path along the upwardly facing surface when the platform moves across the upwardly facing surface, wherein the guide telescopes in a direction of the path; and
a frame extending above the platform, and fixedly attached thereto for moving with the platform when the platform moves along the predetermined path, the frame including at least one rail for supporting a plurality of the computer monitors thereon along a curved path above the platform;
wherein for each monitor of the plurality of monitors, there is a corresponding mounting for mounting the monitor to the at least one rail, wherein the corresponding mounting includes a member that is movable, relative to a frame attachment member of the mounting, for adjusting a horizontal angular orientation of a display of the monitor relative to the at least one rail, and independently of an angular adjustment of at least one other of the monitors; and
one or more wheels or rollers for rolling the platform on the upwardly facing surface, wherein the wheels or rollers move over the upwardly facing surface without traveling within a track or channel for at least a portion of a travel extent for the wheels or rollers.
23. The computer monitor mounting apparatus of claim 22, wherein a first of the monitors has a first horizontal angular orientation relative to the at least one rail, and a second of the monitors has a second horizontal angular orientation relative to the at least one rail different from the first horizontal angular orientation.
24. The computer monitor mounting apparatus of claim 22, further including at least one member extending downwardly to the upwardly facing surface for supporting the platform thereon, wherein the member rotates on the upwardly facing surface when the platform moves along the predetermined path.
25. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the mountings includes a predetermined monitor mount hole pattern.
26. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein for each monitor of at least some of the monitors, a corresponding one of the mountings attaches the monitor to a horizontal rail of the frame, wherein the corresponding mounting provides a horizontal range of rotation of at least 120 degrees for the monitor.
27. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the monitors are provided along an arc of the frame such that for a corresponding display for each of at least two-thirds of the monitors, and for at least one position facing the displays, a distance between:
(i) the at least one position, and
(ii) a center of the corresponding display, varies by no more than about 5% from a distance between the at least one position and a center of the corresponding display for each of the other monitors of the at least two-thirds of the monitors.
28. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frame includes at least one substantially horizontal rail wherein at least one of the mountings is horizontally slidable along the rail.
29. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frame includes a substantially horizontal rail for supporting at least one of the mountings thereon, and further including an adjustment plate for providing a vertical adjustment of the mounting on the rail, the plate secured between the rail and the at least one mounting, the plate secured separately to each of the rail and the at least one mounting.
30. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the mountings includes first and second rotational members, wherein when a corresponding one of the monitors is attached to the at least one mounting, the first rotational member provides a first rotation range for both the second rotational member and the corresponding monitor, and the second rotational member provides an additional rotation range for the corresponding monitor.
31. A computer monitor mounting apparatus for mounting a plurality of monitors, comprising::
a platform having at least one guide attached thereto, wherein the guide also contacts an upwardly facing surface so that the guide maintains the platform on a predetermined path along the upwardly facing surface when the platform moves on the upwardly facing surface;
a frame extending above the platform and attached thereto for moving with the platform when the platform moves along the predetermined path, the frame providing mountings for supporting a plurality of the computer monitors above the platform;
wherein the guide includes parts that move relative to one another within a space between the upwardly facing surface and the platform; and
one or more wheels or rollers for rolling the platform on the upwardly facing surface, wherein the wheels or rollers move over the upwardly facing surface without traveling within a track or channel for at least a portion of a travel extent for the wheels or rollers wherein such a track or channel would operatively constrain the platform to the predetermined path.
32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the monitors are provided along an arc of the frame such that for a corresponding display for each of at least two-thirds of the monitors, and for at least one position facing the displays, a distance between:
(a) the at least one position, and
(b) a center of the corresponding display, the distance varies by no more than about 5% from a distance between the at least one position and a center of the corresponding display for each of the other monitors of the at least two-thirds of the monitors.
33. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein at least one of the wheels or rollers is at least partially recessed within the platform.
34. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein at least one of the mountings includes first and second rotational members, wherein when a corresponding one of the monitors is attached to the at least one mounting, the first rotational member provides a first rotation range for both the second rotational member and the corresponding monitor, and the second rotational member provides an additional rotation range for the corresponding monitor.
35. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein at least one of the mountings includes a predetermined monitor mount hole pattern.
36. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein for each of at least some of the monitors, a corresponding one of the mountings attaches the monitor to a substantially horizontal rail of the frame, wherein the corresponding mounting provides a horizontal range of rotation of at least 120 degrees for the monitor.
37. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein for each of a plurality of operative user positions for viewing the monitors, wherein a corresponding display for each of the monitors faces the position, the monitors are adjustable on the monitor mounting apparatus so that for each corresponding display, a line of sight thereto from the position has no greater than a 5 degree deviation from a normal to the corresponding display.
38. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the frame includes at least one substantially horizontal rail wherein at least one of the mountings is slidable along the rail.
39. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the frame includes a substantially horizontal rail for supporting at least one of the mountings thereon, and further including an adjustment plate for providing a vertical adjustment of the mounting on the rail, the plate secured between the rail and the at least one mounting, the plate secured separately to each of the rail and the at least one mounting.
40. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the wheels or rollers include a ball bearing wheel, a band, a track or a belt to roll relative to the upwardly facing surface.
41. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein at least one of the mountings includes first and second rotational members, wherein when a corresponding one of the monitors is attached to the at least one mounting, the first rotational member provides a first rotation range for both the second rotational member and the corresponding monitor, and the second rotational member provides an additional rotation range for the corresponding monitor.
42. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising the plurality of monitors.
43. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein at least one of the mountings includes a monitor mount having a predetermined monitor mount hole pattern.
44. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein for each monitor of at least some of the monitors, a corresponding one of the mountings attaches the monitor to a horizontal rail of the frame, wherein the corresponding mounting provides a horizontal range of rotation of at least 120 degrees for the monitor.
45. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein for each position of a plurality of operative user positions for viewing the monitors wherein a corresponding display for each of the monitors faces the position, the monitors are adjustable on the frame so that for each of the corresponding displays, a line of sight thereto from the position has no greater than a 5 degree deviation from a normal to the corresponding display.
46. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the frame includes at least one substantially horizontal rail wherein at least one of the mountings is horizontally slidable along the rail.
47. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the wheels or rollers include a band, a track or a belt that rotates when the platform moves along the predetermined path.
48. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein at least one of the mountings includes first and second rotational members, wherein when a corresponding one of the monitors is attached to the at least one mounting, the first rotational member provides a first rotation range for both the second rotational member and the corresponding monitor, and the second rotational member provides an additional rotation range for the corresponding monitor.
49. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the platform includes rollers at least partially recessed within the platform.
50. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising the plurality of monitors.
51. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the mountings include a monitor mount having a predetermined monitor mount hole pattern.
52. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein for each monitor of at least some of the monitors, a corresponding one of the mountings attaches the monitor to a horizontal rail of the frame, wherein the corresponding mounting provides a horizontal range of rotation of at least 120 degrees for the monitor.
53. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein for each position of a plurality of operative user positions for viewing the monitors wherein a corresponding display for each of the monitors faces the position, the monitors are adjustable on the frame so that for each of the corresponding displays, a line of sight thereto from the position has no greater than a 5 degree deviation from a normal to the corresponding display.
54. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the frame includes at least one substantially horizontal rail wherein at least one of the mountings is horizontally slidable along the rail.
55. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the wheels or rollers include a wheel having ball bearings, a band, a track or a belt that rotates when the platform moves along the predetermined path.
56. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising one or more wheels or rollers for rolling the platform on the upwardly facing surface, wherein the wheels or rollers move over the upwardly facing surface without traveling within an operatively constraining track or channel for at least a portion of a travel extent for the wheels or rollers, each wheel or roller having an extent that rotatably contacts the upwardly facing surface when the platform moves along the predetermined path.
57. A computer monitor mounting apparatus for mounting a plurality of monitors, comprising:
a platform having at least one guide attached thereto, wherein the guide also contacts an upwardly facing surface so that the guide maintains the platform on a predetermined path along the upwardly facing surface when the platform moves on the upwardly facing surface;
a frame extending above the platform and attached thereto for moving with the platform when the platform moves along the predetermined path, the frame providing mountings for supporting a plurality of the computer monitors above the platform;
wherein the guide includes parts that move relative to one another within a space between the upwardly facing surface and the platform; and
one or more wheels or rollers for rolling the platform on the upwardly facing surface, wherein the wheels or rollers move over the upwardly facing surface without traveling within a track or channel for at least a portion of a travel extent for the wheels or rollers, each wheel or roller having an extent that rotatably contacts the upwardly facing surface when the platform moves along the predetermined path; and
wherein the mountings include a monitor mount, the monitor mount including a frame attachment portion for attaching to the frame, and an angular adjustment component that adjusts a display face of one of the monitors attached to the monitor mount, wherein the angular adjustment provides one of a vertical tilt of the display face, and a horizontal angular adjustment of the display face.
58. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein for each monitor of at least some of the monitors, a corresponding one of the mountings attaches the monitor to a horizontal rail of the frame, wherein the corresponding mounting provides a horizontal range of rotation of at least 120 degrees for the monitor.
59. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein for each position of a plurality of operative user positions for viewing the monitors wherein a corresponding display for each of the monitors faces the position, the monitors are adjustable on the frame so that for each of the corresponding displays, a line of sight thereto from the position has no greater than a 5 degree deviation from a normal to the corresponding display.
60. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein the frame includes a substantially horizontal rail for supporting at least one of the mountings thereon, and further including an adjustment plate for providing a vertical adjustment of the mounting on the rail, the plate secured between the rail and the at least one mounting, the plate secured separately to each of the rail and the at least one mounting.
61. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein the wheels or rollers include a band, a tracks, or a belt that rotates when the platform moves along the predetermined path.
62. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein at least one of the mountings includes first and second rotational members, wherein when a corresponding one of the monitors is attached to the at least one mounting, the first rotational member provides a first rotation range for both the second rotational member and the corresponding monitor, and the second rotational member provides an additional rotation range for the corresponding monitor.
63. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein for each of a plurality of operative user positions for viewing the monitors, wherein a corresponding display for each of the monitors faces the position, the monitors are adjustable on the monitor mounting apparatus so that for each corresponding display, a line of sight thereto from the position has no greater than a 5 degree deviation from a normal to the corresponding display.
64. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the mountings including a rail and a monitor mount horizontally slidable along the rail.
65. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the wheels or rollers include a band, a track or a belt that rotates when the platform moves along the predetermined path.
66. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising wherein at least one of the mountings includes first and second rotational members, wherein when a corresponding one of the monitors is attached to the at least one mounting, the first rotational member provides a first rotation range for both the second rotational member and the corresponding monitor, and the second rotational member provides an additional rotation range for the corresponding monitor.
67. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the frame includes at least one substantially horizontal rail wherein at least one of the mountings is slidable along the rail.
68. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the wheels or rollers include a wheel having ball bearings, a band, a track or a belt that rotates when the platform moves along the predetermined path.
69. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein at least one of the mountings includes first and second rotational members, wherein when a corresponding one of the monitors is attached to the at least one mounting, the first rotational member provides a first rotation range for both the second rotational member and the corresponding monitor, and the second rotational member provides an additional rotation range for the corresponding monitor.
70. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein for each monitor of at least some of the monitors, a corresponding one of the mountings attaches the monitor to the at least one rail of the frame, wherein the corresponding mounting provides a horizontal range of rotation of at least 120 degrees for the monitor.
71. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein for each of a plurality of operative user positions for viewing the monitors, wherein a corresponding display for each of the monitors faces the position, the monitors are adjustable on the monitor mounting apparatus so that for each corresponding display, a line of sight thereto from the position has no greater than a 5 degree deviation from a normal to the corresponding display.
72. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein for each monitor of at least some of the monitors, a corresponding one of the mountings attaches the monitor to a horizontal rail of the frame, wherein the corresponding mounting provides a horizontal range of rotation of at least 120 degrees for the monitor.
73. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein for each of a plurality of operative user positions for viewing the monitors, wherein a corresponding display for each of the monitors faces the position, the monitors are adjustable on the monitor mounting apparatus so that for each corresponding display, a line of sight thereto from the position has no greater than a 5 degree deviation from a normal to the corresponding display.
74. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein for each of at least some of the monitors, a corresponding mounting attaches the monitor to the rail wherein the mounting provides a horizontal range of rotation of at least 120 degrees for the monitor.
75. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein for each of a plurality of operative user positions for viewing the monitors, wherein a corresponding display for each of the monitors faces the position, the monitors are adjustable on the monitor mounting apparatus so that for each corresponding display, a line of sight thereto from the position has no greater than a 5 degree deviation from a normal to the corresponding display.
76. A computer monitor mounting apparatus for mounting a plurality of monitors, comprising:
a platform having at least one guide attached thereto for moving the platform above and relative to an exterior upwardly facing surface, wherein the guide is attached to a support structure that supports the platform so that the guide maintains the platform on a predetermined path when the platform moves above and relative to the exterior upwardly facing surface;
a frame extending above the platform and attached thereto for moving with the platform when the platform moves along the predetermined path, the frame having attached thereto a plurality of mountings for supporting a plurality of the computer monitors on the frame, each of the mountings aligns in a predetermined relationship with a corresponding attachment portion of one of the monitors when the one monitor and the mounting are attached to one another;
wherein the guide includes parts that move relative to one another when the platform moves along the predetermined path, and wherein the parts are offset from the exterior upwardly facing surface in a direction of the platform; and
wherein when the platform is fully extended toward a front of the apparatus where a user views displays of the plurality of monitors attached to the computer monitor mounting apparatus, a first portion of the guide, fixedly attached to the platform, extends further toward the front than an entire portion of the guide that is both: (i) fixedly attached to the support structure, and (ii) engages the first portion at least one position for maintaining the platform on the predetermined path.
77. The apparatus of claim 76, wherein the guide includes a portion that is fixedly attached to the exterior upwardly facing surface.
78. The apparatus of claim 76, wherein the parts include one of: rollers, wheels bearings, and bands.
79. The apparatus of claim 76, wherein the parts include at least one member that telescopes or is slidable to relative another portion of the guide.
80. The apparatus of claim 76, wherein the predetermined path is substantially for moving the platform toward or away from the front of the computer monitor mounting apparatus.
81. The apparatus of claim 76, wherein at least one of the parts move relative to another one of the parts within a space below the platform.
82. The apparatus of claim 76, wherein the at least one guide includes a plurality of guides required to guide the platform along the predetermined path, each of the plurality of guides satisfying all the limitations of the at least guide.
83. The apparatus of claim 76, wherein at least one of the mountings includes a predetermined monitor mount hole pattern.
84. The apparatus of claim 76, wherein the mountings includes a vertical adjustment plate for aligning a center of a display of one of the monitors with a center of a display with another one of the monitors, the adjustment plate including a vertical hole pattern.
85. The apparatus of claim 76, wherein the predetermined path is substantially in a straight line.
86. The apparatus of claim 76, wherein the parts move relative to one another in a space between the exterior upwardly facing surface and the platform.
87. The apparatus of claim 76, wherein the first portion of the guide has greater movement relative to the exterior upwardly facing surface than to the platform, and a second portion of the guide has less movement relative to the support structure than the first portion, wherein the first and second portions remain in overlapping engagement when the platform moves throughout the predetermined path, and when the platform moves in a first direction along the predetermined path, the first and second portions reduce their overlapping engagement, and when the platform moves in a direction opposite to the first direction, the first and second portions increase their overlapping engagement.
88. The apparatus of claim 76, wherein the support structure includes a desk, and the exterior upwardly facing surface is substantially included in a desktop of the desk.
89. The apparatus of claim 76, wherein the frame includes a plurality of posts fixedly attached to an upper surface of the platform and extending vertically therefrom, wherein the posts convey the weight of the monitors to the platform.
90. The apparatus of claim 76, wherein the at least one guide retracts and extends during movement of the platform along the predetermined path.
91. The apparatus of claim 76, wherein the platform includes wheels or rollers at least partially recessed within the platform.
92. The apparatus of claim 76, wherein the platform is supported on the upwardly facing surface.
93. The apparatus of claim 76, wherein the monitors are provided along an arc of the frame such that for a corresponding display for each of at least two-thirds of the monitors, and for at least one position facing the displays, a distance between:
(i) the at least one position, and
(ii) a center of the corresponding display, varies by no more than about 5% from a distance between the at least one position and a center of the corresponding display for each of the other monitors of the at least two thirds of the monitors.
94. The apparatus of claim 76, wherein there is at least one wheel or roller for rolling the platform on the exterior upwardly facing surface, wherein the wheels or rollers move over the exterior upwardly facing surface without traveling within a track or channel for at least a portion of a travel extent of the platform along the predetermined path.