Integrated display computer with peripherals

• US 7,397,659 B1
• Filed: 05/17/2005
• Issued: 07/08/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Micro Industries Corporation
• Original Assignee: Micro Industries Corporation
• Inventors: Curran, Michael A., Peck, Gary A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lea-Edmonds; Lisa
• Assistant Examiner(s): HAUGHTON, ANTHONY MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US11/131,052
• Time in Patent Office: 1,148 Days
• Field of Search: 361/681, 361/683, 361/686
• US Class Current: 361/679.41
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations

Abstract

A housing unit for attaching a peripheral device to an integrated display computer, and an integrated display computer with peripherals attached thereto. The peripherals are enclosed in a peripheral housing unit that is attached to a side of the computer that is adapted to accept the housing unit. The housing unit comprises an end cap and a shroud as well as internal components including an assembly bracket that are assembled to complete the unit. Only the portion of the peripheral or peripheral interface with which a user interacts is accessible through the housing unit. The remaining components are hidden within the housing unit. Various types of peripherals such as media card readers, bar code scanners, and magnetic card readers may be installed in the housing unit. Additionally, a housing unit that has an end cap and shroud but does not contain a peripheral may be attached to the computer. The peripheral housing unit gives each integrated display computer a similar, finished appearance regardless of which peripherals, if any, are enclosed.

Claims

1. A peripheral housing unit for containing and attaching one of a plurality of different peripheral devices to a computer comprising:

an end cap having a common end cap fastening means for use with any one of said plurality of different peripheral devices and for attaching said end cap to an external portion of a front bezel of said computer, and an opening of a size and shape for accommodating a faceplate to permit user communication with a peripheral device contained in said housing unit;

a shroud having a common shroud fastening means for use with any one of said plurality of different peripheral devices and for attaching said shroud to an external portion of a rear bezel of said computer; and

an assembly bracket including a first fastening means for attaching said end cap to said assembly bracket, a second fastening means for attaching said peripheral device to said assembly bracket, and a third fastening means for attaching said shroud to said assembly bracket,

wherein said end cap and said shroud cooperate to contain said peripheral device and to attach said peripheral device to said computer using said common end cap fastening means and said common shroud fastening means.

2. The peripheral housing unit of claim 1 wherein said peripheral housing unit is attached to a side of said computer.

3. The peripheral housing unit of claim 1 wherein said housing unit contains a peripheral device selected from the group consisting of digital media card readers, bar code scanners, and magnetic card readers.

4. The peripheral housing unit of claim 1 wherein said faceplate comprises a plurality of different openings that permit access to said peripheral device.

5. The peripheral housing unit of claim 1 further comprising a connecting means for connecting said peripheral device to a port of said computer.

6. The peripheral housing unit of claim 1 further comprising a static discharge plate connected between said end cap and said assembly bracket.

7. The peripheral housing unit of claim 1 wherein said computer is an integrated display computer.

8. The peripheral housing unit of claim 1 wherein said computer is a fanless integrated display computer.

9. A method for attaching one of a plurality of different peripheral devices to a computer comprising:

attaching an end cap to an external portion of a front bezel of said computer using said end cap fastening means, said end cap having a universal end cap fastening means for use with any one of said peripheral devices and an opening of a size and shape for accommodating a faceplate to permit access to a peripheral device to be attached to said computer;

attaching an assembly bracket to said end cap using a first fastening means for said assembly bracket;

attaching said peripheral device to said assembly bracket using a second fastening means for said assembly bracket;

connecting said peripheral device to a corresponding port of said computer;

attaching a shroud to said assembly bracket using a third fastening means for said assembly bracket; and

attaching said shroud to an external portion of a rear bezel of said computer using a shroud fastening means for use with any one of said plurality of peripheral devices, thereby completing a peripheral housing unit;

wherein said peripheral device is enclosed within said peripheral housing unit, with a portion of said peripheral device accessible through said opening in said end cap.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said peripheral housing unit is attached to a side of said computer.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein said peripheral device is selected from the group consisting of digital media card readers, bar code scanners, and magnetic card readers.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein said faceplate comprises a plurality of different openings that permit access to said peripheral device.

13. The method of claim 9 further comprising installing a static discharge plate between said end cap and said assembly bracket.

14. The method of claim 9 wherein said computer is an integrated display computer.

15. The method of claim 9 wherein said computer is a fanless integrated display computer.

16. An integrated display computer with at least one of a plurality of different peripheral devices comprising:

an end cap attached to an external portion of an existing front bezel of said integrated display computer using an end cap universal attachment means, wherein said end cap forms a finished side of said integrated display computer;

an opening in said end cap of a size and shape for accommodating a faceplate for accessing said peripheral device after said peripheral device has been attached to said computer;

an assembly bracket attached at a forward end to said end cap;

a peripheral device affixed to said assembly bracket and connected to a respective port of said computer; and

a shroud for housing at least a portion of said assembly bracket and said peripheral device, said shroud attached at one end to a rearward end of said assembly bracket and at another end to an external portion of a rear bezel of said computer using a shroud universal attachment means;

wherein the assembly of said shroud to said end cap forms an enclosed housing unit in which said peripheral device is contained and which is attached to said external portions of said computer.

17. The integrated display computer of claim 16 wherein said peripheral device is selected from the group consisting of digital media card readers, bar code scanners, and magnetic card readers.

18. The integrated display computer of claim 16 wherein said faceplate comprises a plurality of different openings to permit access to said peripheral device.

19. The integrated display computer of claim 16 wherein said integrated display computer is a fanless computer.

20. The integrated display computer of claim 16 wherein a housing unit is also located on an opposite side of said integrated display computer, said housing unit optionally including a second peripheral device.