Operatory computer with portable display

• US 6,246,573 B1
• Filed: 01/20/2000
• Issued: 06/12/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cieos, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Cieos, Inc.
• Inventors: Crye, Caleb Clark, Khan, Ekramul, Osbourne, Michael J., Khan, Enamul H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DUONG, HUNG V
• Application Number:
  US09/488,951
• Time in Patent Office: 509 Days
• Field of Search: 361/683, 361/724-727, 361/684-686, 361/740, 361/759, 248/551-553, 312/223--22, 70/14
• US Class Current: 361/679.55
• 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

Abstract

A wall mounted computer for used in an examining room or operatory such as employed in a dentist'"'"'s or doctor'"'"'s office. The computer is contained in a shallow metal box which is mounted between wall studs or on the surface of a wall. Mounted to the metal box beneath the computer is one or more mass storage devices which may be accessed from beneath a horizontal support plate. A connector bracket provides convenient access to data input or output connectors. The connector bracket is recessed with respect to the mass storage devices so that cables do not block access to the mass storage devices. A translucent plate is mounted by binges to cover the access to the mass storage devices and the connector bracket to protect them from contamination. A flat panel display is removably mounted on an articulated post to the metal box. The flat panel display may be viewed while mounted on the post, or may be removed for more convenient viewing by a patient or by medical personnel.

Claims

1. A stud wall housing a computer, comprising:

a plurality of studs defining a wall, the wall having an interior face;

a pair of said plurality of studs defining a space between said pair of studs,

a metal box mounted within the space between the pair of studs;

a vertically oriented computer box having two vertical sides and a horizontal top releasably mounted to the metal box, the computer box having a frame which overlies the interior face of the wall, wherein a front vertical panel comprised of a metal plate is mounted to the computer box, the vertical panel defining a gap between the vertical panel and the computer box two vertical sides and the horizontal top;

a utility box having plugs mounted interior to the wall and cables extending from the plugs to the computer box to supply electricity and a data link;

an air permeable gasket positioned close to the gap defined between the vertical panel and the computer box;

a transverse horizontal support extending between the two vertical sides and positioned below the metal panel;

a general purpose computer mounted within the box;

a removable mass storage element reader accessible through an opening in the transverse horizontal support;

a monitor support post defining an axis, the support post mounted to the transverse horizontal support and extending upwardly toward the metal panel, and pivotally mounted for motion towards and away from the metal panel;

a flat panel monitor pivotally mounted for rotation on the support post about the axis defined by the support post, and removable from said support post so that the flat panel monitor may be held or positioned for viewing spaced from the wall.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a panel mounted by hinges to the transverse horizontal support, the panel positionable to overlie the opening in the transverse horizontal support.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the panel is translucent, and further comprising at least one electric light mounted to the metal box so that the panel forms a means for displaying x-rays.

4. A stud wall housing a computer comprising:

a plurality of studs defining a wall, the wall having, an interior face;

a pair of said plurality of studs defining a space between said pair of studs,

a metal box mounted within the space between the pair of studs;

a utility panel mounted interior to the wall and accessible to the metal box;

a vertically oriented computer box having two vertical sides and a horizontal top releasably mounted to the metal box, the computer box having a front vertical panel formed of a metal plate mounted to the computer box;

a transverse horizontal support extending between the two vertical sides and positioned below the metal panel;

a general purpose computer mounted within the box;

a flat panel monitor removably mounted to the box.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising a panel mounted by hinges to the transverse horizontal support, the panel being pivotable downwardly from the transverse horizontal support.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the panel is translucent, and further comprising at least one electric light mounted to the metal box so that the panel forms a means for displaying x-rays.

7. A wall mounted computer comprising:

a box fixed to the inwardly facing surface of a wall, the box opening frontwardly;

a plate fixed to the box to overlie the opening, and to define a peripheral gap above and below the plate;

an air permeable gasket positioned within the gap, restricting the entrance of dust and fluids, but permitting the flow of air therethrough, wherein air flows inwardly to the box from beneath the front panel, and exits the box upwardly above the panel;

a monitor releasably supported on the box, and disposed frontwardly of the front panel; and

a central processing unit within the box, wherein the monitor is in connected in data sending and receiving relation to the central processing unit.

8. The wall mounted computer of claim 7 further comprising a transverse horizontal support extending between two vertical sides of the box and positioned below the metal panel;

a removable mass data storage element reader, having an opening for data mass storage elements which faces downwardly and which is accessible through the transverse horizontal support.

9. The wall mounted computer of claim 7 further comprising a monitor support post defining an axis, the support post mounted to the transverse horizontal support and extending upwardly, and the post being pivotally mounted for motion towards and away from the metal panel, the monitor being pivotally mounted for rotation on the support post about the axis defined by the support post.

10. A wall and computer assembly comprising:

a wall comprising a plurality of upwardly extending studs and a wall surface which faces the interior of a room;

a box fixed to the wall;

a central processing unit mounted within the box;

a transverse horizontal support extending within the box, positioned below the central processing unit;

a reader for removable mass storage elements, the reader being fixed to the horizontal support and having a downwardly facing opening to allow the insertion and removal of mass storage elements from below the support;

a communications bracket mounted to the box below the horizontal support and having a plurality of connectors thereon which face downwardly and frontwardly, the connectors be spaced rearwardly of the mass storage reader opening, such that a mass storage element may be inserted into the opening over cables extending from the connectors; and

a monitor in data receiving and transmitting relationship with the central processing unit, the monitor being releasably connected to the box above the transverse horizontal support.

11. The assembly of claim 10 wherein the box is mounted between two studs, and extends substantially rearwardly of the wall surface to be recessed within the wall, and wherein a metal frame is connected to the box which extends outwardly to overlie the wall surface.

12. A wall mounted computer assembly comprising:

a box fixed to a wall, and having a frontwardly facing opening;

a central processing unit mounted within the box;

a front panel which overlies the central processing unit;

a monitor releasably mounted to the box at a position frontward of the front panel, the monitor being in data sending and receiving relation with the central processing unit;

a translucent panel positioned below the front panel, and pivotably attached to the box to extend between a closed position, in which the translucent panel is substantially parallel to the front panel, and an open position, in which the translucent panel is angled outwardly from the front panel to allow access to at least one data input/output connectors positioned rearwardly of the translucent panel; and

at least one light source positioned rearwardly of the translucent panel, such that in the translucent panel closed position, x-ray image elements may be positioned over the illuminated translucent panel and examined thereon.

13. A wall and computer assembly, comprising:

a plurality of studs defining a wall, the wall having a surface which bridges multiple studs and which faces a room interior;

an upwardly extending box fixed to the wall and having a frontwardly facing opening;

a general purpose computer mounted within the box;

a front panel connected to the box to overlie the frontwardly facing opening;

a support post extending frontwardly and upwardly along an axis, the support post mounted to the box and extending frontwardly of the front panel, the support post being pivotable about a horizontal axis;

a touch screen monitor releasably mounted to the support post for rotation about the support post axis, the monitor being in data sending and receiving relation with the general purpose computer, wherein the monitor is removable from the support post so that the monitor may be held or positioned for viewing at a location spaced from the wall.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising:

a panel mounted by hinges to a transverse horizontal support mounted within the box below the computer, the panel positionable to extend downwardly from the transverse horizontal support.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the panel is translucent, and further comprising at least one electric light mounted to the metal box so that the panel forms a means for displaying x-rays.