School computer system having simplified computer devices for classroom distribution

• US 6,470,401 B1
• Filed: 03/18/1999
• Issued: 10/22/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: C4SI, Inc..
• Original Assignee: C4SI, Inc..
• Inventors: Peterson, Robert B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gaffin, Jeffrey
• Assistant Examiner(s): Perveen, Rehana
• Application Number:
  US09/272,176
• Time in Patent Office: 1,314 Days
• Field of Search: 710/1, 710/33, 713/300, 709/217, 709/219, 709/213
• US Class Current: 710/33
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/16 Constructional details or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1631 Panel PC, e.g. single housing hosting PC and display panel
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 9/003 including electrical control or communication wires
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/10 Current supply arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/351 for local area network [LAN], e.g. Ethernet switches

Abstract

A system and method of providing computer access in institutional environments, such as public schools, provides low cost, safe and secure simplified computing devices consisting of a motherboard, a display and an input device such as a keyboard, powered by a central power supply and networked through a dual purpose power and network data signal cable to a power supply/network hub. The hub receives line power from a building and receives network data signals from an application/data server.

Claims

1. A computer system suitable for providing computer access to institutions, comprising:

a plurality of simplified computing devices (SCDs), each SCD consisting of a motherboard having a processor and RAM, a visual display, an input device, a low voltage power port for receiving a supply of low voltage DC operating power from an external source, and a network port for receiving a network data signal from an external server.

2. The computer system of claim 1, wherein said SCD is configured to be capable of nesting with other SCDs for storage and/or transportation purposes.

3. The computer system of claim 1, wherein said visual display is a flat panel screen display.

4. The computer system of claim 1, wherein said input device is a keyboard.

5. The computer system of claim 1, further comprising a composite power/network cable for providing both said low voltage DC operating power and said network data signal to said low voltage power port and said network port, respectively.

8. The computer system of claim 1, wherein said low voltage power port receives DC power from a portable rechargeable back-up power supply.

6. A computer system suitable for providing computer access to institutions, comprising:

a plurality of simplified computing devices (SCDs), each SCD consisting of a motherboard having a processor and RAM, a visual display, an input device, a low voltage power port for receiving a supply of low voltage DC operating power from an external source, and a network port for receiving a network data signal from an external server; and

a power supply/network hub which receives line power, converts the line power to conditioned low voltage DC power, and transmits the conditioned low voltage DC power to the power port of said simplified computing devices, and which receives at an input network port thereof a network data signal and distributes said network data signal over a plurality of network output ports to said simplified computing devices.

7. The computer system of claim 6, further comprising a DHCP server and a hub/switch device for networking multiple simplified computing devices to said DHCP server.

9. A method of providing computer access in an institutional environment, comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of simplified computing devices, each consisting of a motherboard with a processor and RAM, a visual display, and an input device;

connecting said plurality of simplified computing devices to a power supply/network hub for providing to said devices a low voltage DC power supply and network data signals; and

connecting said power supply/network hub to an application/data server which provides said network data signals and to a source of power which is used by said hub to develop said low voltage DC power supply.