Wall-mountable computer having an integrated keyboard

• US 20050195561A1
• Filed: 03/08/2004
• Published: 09/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Originatic LLC
• Original Assignee: Originatic LLC
• Inventors: Smith, Renato L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,158,373 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.18
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/16 Constructional details or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1631 Panel PC, e.g. single housing hosting PC and display panel
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/00 Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for implementation of business processes of specific business sectors, e.g. utilities or tourism healthcare informatics G16H

Abstract

A wall-mountable computer having an integrated keyboard. The computer has one or more securing members which enable a user to attach the computer to an upstanding structure, such as a wall. The keyboard is integrated into the lower portion of the computer housing. In one embodiment, the keyboard is adjustable between an open position and a closed position. This type of computer increases the convenience of using computers in houses, facilities, vehicles and other areas.

Claims

1. A computer securable to an upstanding structure, the computer comprising:

a processor;

a memory device accessible by the processor;

a display device having a screen substantially positionable in a plane;

a keyboard having a top surface substantially positionable in a plane;

a housing supporting the memory device and the display device, the housing having a back surface engagable with the upstanding structure and a front surface, the front surface defining an opening positioned in line with the screen of the display device, the front surface having at least one coupling member positioned above or below the screen, the coupling member movably coupling the keyboard to the housing so that the keyboard is movable between;

(a) a first position where the plane of the top surface of the keyboard is substantially parallel with the plane of the screen; and

(b) a second position where the plane of the top surface of the keyboard intersects with the plane of the screen; and

at least one securing member operable to secure the housing to the upstanding structure.

2. The computer of claim 1, wherein:

(a) the coupling member includes a plurality of spaced apart shafts positioned along an axis; and

(b) the keyboard has a plurality of ends, each of the ends being rotatably coupled to one of the shafts.

3. The computer of claim 1, wherein:

(a) the coupling member includes a plurality of spaced apart members; and

(b) the keyboard has a plurality of ends, each of the ends slidably mating with one of the members.

4. The computer of claim 1, wherein the upstanding structure is selected from the group consisting of a wall of a facility, a wall of an elevator, an interior portion of a land vehicle, an interior portion of an air vehicle and an interior portion of a water vehicle.

5. A computer securable to an upstanding structure, the computer comprising:

a processor;

a memory device accessible by the processor;

a display device having a screen substantially positionable in a plane;

a keyboard having a top surface substantially positionable in a plane;

a housing supporting the memory device and the display device, the housing having a back surface and a front surface, the back surface engagable with the upstanding structure and the back surface having a substantially flat shape, the front surface defining an opening positioned in line with the screen of the display device, the front surface having a keyboard region located below the opening, the front surface defining a cavity within the keyboard region, the front surface including a plurality of spaced apart coupling members positioned within the keyboard region, the coupling members movably coupling the keyboard to the housing so that the keyboard is movable between;

(a) a first position where the plane of the top surface of the keyboard is substantially parallel with the plane of the screen, the plane of the top surface of the keyboard being located at or behind the plane of the screen; and

(b) a second position where the plane of the top surface of the keyboard is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the screen; and

at least one securing member operable to secure the housing to the upstanding structure.

6. The computer of claim 5, wherein the front surface has a one-piece construction.

7. The computer of claim 5, wherein the front surface has a plurality of walls which bound the cavity.

8. The computer of claim 5, wherein the cavity has a first portion defined by the front surface and a second portion defined by the back surface wherein the cavity is an opening extending from the front surface through the back surface.

9. The computer of claim 5, wherein:

(a) each of the coupling members includes a shaft, the shafts being positioned along an axis; and

(b) the keyboard has a plurality of ends, each of the ends being rotatably coupled to one of the shafts so that the keyboard is at least partially rotatable about the axis.

10. The computer of claim 5, wherein the keyboard has a plurality of ends, each of the ends slidably mating with one of the coupling members.

11. The computer of claim 5, wherein at least one of the coupling members includes a keyboard position control member.

12. The computer of claim 5, which includes a plurality of securing members, each of the securing members including at least one wall defining an opening extending from the front surface through the back surface.

13. The computer of claim 12, wherein at least one of the securing members includes a lock device.

14. The computer of claim 5, wherein the keyboard includes an input device selected from the group consisting of a mouse, a trackball, a touch pad and a stylus.

15. The computer of claim 5, wherein the upstanding structure is selected from the group consisting of a wall of a facility, a wall of an elevator, an interior portion of a land vehicle, an interior portion of an air vehicle and an interior portion of a water vehicle.

16. The computer of claim 5, wherein the upstanding structure includes a wall of a dwelling unit in a facility, the memory device includes a plurality of instructions which direct the processor to:

(a) control an Internet browser based on inputs from a user; and

(b) automatically redirect the Internet browser to a website designated for the facility when a designated event occurs.

17. The computer of claim 15, wherein the designated event is selected from the group consisting of an expiration of a period of time during which the user has made no inputs;

the computer is shut off, the computer is reset and the Internet browser is opened.

18. The computer of claim 5, wherein the memory device includes a plurality of instructions which direct the processor to:

(a) control an Internet browser based on inputs from a user;

(b) automatically retrieve a designated image from a website designated for the facility when a designated event occurs; and

(c) cause the display device to display the retrieved designated image for a period of time until a designated event occurs.

19. The computer of claim 18, wherein the designated image is selected from the group consisting of an advertisement image, a graphical representation of facility-related information and artwork.

20. A computer securable to an upstanding structure, the computer comprising:

a processor;

a memory device accessible by the processor;

a display device having a screen substantially positionable in a plane;

a keyboard having a top surface substantially positionable in a plane; and

a housing supporting the memory device and the display device, the housing having a back surface and a front surface, the back surface engagable with the upstanding structure and the back surface having a substantially flat shape, the front surface defining a first opening positioned in line with the screen of the display device, the front surface having a keyboard region located below the first opening, the front surface defining a second opening within the keyboard region, the front surface including a support member for the keyboard, the support member configured so as to orient the keyboard so that the plane of the top surface of the keyboard is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the screen.