Customizable workstation with user-controlled wall height

Abstract

A customizable workstation panel is provided. The panel includes a screen portion, a lifting mechanism, a base portion, and a control unit. The control unit receives input from a user and controls the lifting mechanism to move the dynamic portion between a retracted position and a deployed position in accordance with the user input.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A customizable workstation panel comprising:
 a screen portion comprising a dynamic portion, the dynamic portion being moveable between a retracted position and a deployed position;   a lifting mechanism mechanically coupled to the dynamic portion and configured to move the dynamic portion between the retracted position and the deployed position;   a base portion sized to conceal at least a portion of the dynamic portion when the dynamic portion is in the retracted position; and   a control unit configured to receive an input from a user and further configured to control the lifting mechanism to move the dynamic portion between the retracted position and the deployed position.   
     
     
         2 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein the screen portion comprises a video display. 
     
     
         3 . The panel of  claim 2 , wherein the video display is configured to emit a light within a natural-light spectrum. 
     
     
         4 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein a height of the dynamic portion is reduced in the retracted position compared to in the deployed position. 
     
     
         5 . The panel of  claim 4 , wherein the dynamic portion comprises a plurality of telescoping extensions. 
     
     
         6 . The panel of  claim 4 , wherein the dynamic portion comprises a shade that folds in with the dynamic portion in the retracted position and unfolds with the dynamic portion in the deployed position. 
     
     
         7 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein the dynamic portion comprises an acoustic dampening foam material. 
     
     
         8 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein the control unit is further configured to receive from a remote the input wirelessly. 
     
     
         9 . The panel of  claim 1  further comprising a work surface attached to the base portion. 
     
     
         10 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein the control unit is a kiosk structure fixedly attached to the base portion. 
     
     
         11 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein the control unit is mounted on the base portion. 
     
     
         12 . A method of using a customizable workstation panel to customize a work environment of a workspace, the method comprising:
 receiving a user input at a control unit of the customizable workstation panel; and   activating, through the control unit a lift mechanism of the customizable workstation panel to move a dynamic portion of the customizable workstation panel from a first position to a second position, thereby customizing the work environment of the workspace in accordance with the user input.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein receiving comprises the control unit receiving a wireless signal emitted from a remote unit. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein activating further comprises the control unit signaling a lift mechanism of a second customizable workstation panel to move a dynamic portion of the second customizable workstation panel from an initial position to a customized position. 
     
     
         15 . A system for customizing a work environment of a workspace, the system comprising:
 a first customizable workstation panel;   a second customizable workstation panel; and   a control unit configured to activate a lift mechanism of the first customizable workstation panel to move a dynamic portion of the first customizable workstation panel from a retracted position to a deployed position, the control unit further configured to activate a lift mechanism of the second customizable workstation panel to move a dynamic portion of the second customizable workstation panel from a retracted position to a deployed position.