Screen

Abstract

The present invention relates to a screen e.g. ( 50 ) with variable visibility. The screen has various regions (a)-(d). Each region (a)-(d) of the screen ( 50 ) provides a different level of possible visibility, which allows for different levels of interactivity between people positioned either side of the screen. Where a high degree of interactivity is required a person can utilise particular regions of the screen ( 50 ), and where low or no degree of interactivity is desired other regions of the screen ( 50 ) can be utilised.

1 . A screen for separating a user from visual events on an opposite side of the screen, the screen comprising:
 at least a first region and a second region, each region comprising one or more translucent or opaque portions and one or more transparent portions, and   the first region having a first ratio corresponding to the area of the one or more transparent portions to the area of the one or more translucent or opaque portions,   the second region having a second ratio corresponding to the area of the one or more transparent portions to the area of the one or more translucent or opaque portions,   wherein the first ratio is less than the second ratio,   wherein the first ratio provides a first screen region that is sufficiently translucent or opaque to prevent visual events on the opposite side of the screen distracting a user when the user is not focusing on or through the first region, but also provides partial visibility through the screen when the user focuses through the first region, and   wherein the second ratio provides a second region that is sufficiently transparent when the user focuses through the second region to provide visibility through the second region that is better than the partial visibility provided by the first region.   
     
     
         2 . A screen according to  claim 1  wherein the regions are positioned adjacent on the screen. 
     
     
         3 . A screen according to  claim 1  above wherein the second region facilitates visual, audible and/or physical interaction between the user and another person on the opposite side of the screen. 
     
     
         4 . A screen according to  claim 1  further comprising a third region, the third region being substantially transparent and positioned to enable the user to view visual events occurring on the other side of the screen. 
     
     
         5 . A screen according to  claim 4  wherein the third region is smaller in area than the first and second regions. 
     
     
         6 . A screen according to  claim 4  wherein the third region is positioned in an inner portion of the screen. 
     
     
         7 . A screen according to  claim 4  wherein the first region is positioned at an upper portion on a first lateral side of the screen, and the second region is positioned at an upper portion on a second lateral side of the screen, and the third region is positioned within the second region adjacent a boundary of the first and second regions. 
     
     
         8 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A screen according to  claim 1  further comprising a fourth region comprising one or more translucent or opaque portions and one or more transparent portions, the fourth region positioned below the first and second regions and the fourth region having a third ratio corresponding to the area of the one or more transparent portions to the area of the one or more translucent or opaque portions, wherein the fourth ratio is larger than the first and second ratios, and wherein the fourth ratio provides a fourth region that is sufficiently transparent when the user focuses through the fourth region to provide visibility that is better than the partial visibility provided by the first region. 
     
     
         12 . A screen according to  claim 11  wherein the fourth region facilitates visual, audible and/or physical interaction between the user and another person on the opposite side of die screen. 
     
     
         13 . A screen according to  claim 11  wherein the fourth region is positioned along a bottom portion of the first and second regions when positioned adjacent on upper lateral sides of the screen. 
     
     
         14 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A screen according to  claim 1  wherein the translucent or opaque portions are formed from a solid material that is fully or substantially opaque or translucent such that events viewed through the translucent or opaque portions are at least partially obscured. 
     
     
         20 . A screen according to  claim 1  wherein the translucent or opaque portions of each region are formed as one or more patterns. 
     
     
         21 . A screen according to  claim 1  wherein the translucent or opaque portions of each region are formed as irregular patterns. 
     
     
         22 . A screen according to  claim 1  wherein the translucent or opaque portions of each region are distributed irregularly throughout the respective regions. 
     
     
         23 . A screen according to  claim 1  wherein the transparent portions are formed of free space. 
     
     
         24 . A screen according to  claim 1  wherein the transparent portions are formed of a transparent material. 
     
     
         25 - 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . A screen according to  claim 1  wherein the first ratio is between 20%-40%. 
     
     
         30 . A screen according to  claim 1  wherein the second ratio is between 40%-60%. 
     
     
         31 . A screen according to  claim 4  wherein the third ratio is between 60%-80%. 
     
     
         32 - 45 . (canceled) 
     
     
         46 . A workstation system comprising:
 two or more adjacent desktops arranged in an opposing relationship along respective back edges, and   at least one screen disposed adjacent the back edges between die desktops, wherein the screen comprises at least a first region and a second region, each region comprising one or more translucent or opaque portions and one or more transparent portions, and   the first region having a first ratio corresponding to the area of the one or more transparent portions to the area of the one or more translucent or opaque portions,   the second region having a second ratio corresponding to the area of the one or more transparent portions to the area of the one or more translucent or opaque portions,   wherein the first ratio is less than the second ratio, and   wherein the first ratio provides a first screen region that is sufficiently translucent or opaque to prevent visual events on die opposite side of the screen distracting a user when the user is not focusing on or through the first region, but also provides partial visibility through the screen when the user focuses through the first region, and   wherein the second ratio provides a second region that is sufficiently transparent when the user focuses through the second region to provide visibility through the second region that is better than the partial visibility provided by the first region.   
     
     
         47 . A workstation system according to  claim 46  wherein the screen further comprises a third region, the third region being substantially transparent and positioned to enable the user to view visual events occurring on the other side of the screen. 
     
     
         48 . A workstation system according to  claim 47  wherein the screen is arranged such that:
 the first region is positioned between respective users of each desktop such that it at least partially blocks the usual activities of each user from the other user,   the second region is positioned between respective users of each desktop such that each user can interact visually, audibly and/or physically through the second region, and   the third region is positioned between respective users such that each user can interact visually, audible and/or physically through the third region.   
     
     
         49 . A workstation system according to  claim 48  above wherein the third region is positioned to provide each user with visibility of the other user's face. 
     
     
         50 . A workstation system according to  claim 46  wherein two screens are disposed adjacent the back edges between the desktops. 
     
     
         51 - 55 . (canceled)