Integrated display computer with telephone switch cradle peripheral

• US 7,542,283 B1
• Filed: 06/01/2006
• Issued: 06/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Micro Industries Corporation
• Original Assignee: Micro Industries Corporation
• Inventors: Peck, Gary A., Curran, Michael A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gandhi; Jayprakash N
• Assistant Examiner(s): HAUGHTON, ANTHONY MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US11/421,627
• Time in Patent Office: 1,097 Days
• Field of Search: 361/681, 361/683, 361/686
• US Class Current: 361/679.41
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1607 Arrangements to support accessories mechanically attached to the display housing G06F1/1603, G06F1/1605 take precedence
• 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 1/181 Enclosures for portable computers G06F1/1613

Abstract

A housing unit for attaching a telephone switch cradle peripheral to an integrated display computer, and an integrated display computer with a telephone switch cradle peripheral attached thereto. Telephone switch cradle componentry is enclosed in a peripheral housing unit that is attached to a side of the computer. The housing unit comprises an end cap, shroud, and holster for holding telephone switch cradle componentry. The housing unit accepts a handset. In addition to accessing information using the computer'"'"'s touch screen, users may use the handset to interact with the computer or with a person who can provide the user with additional information of interest. Additional information requested via the handset may be accessible using the computer'"'"'s touch screen or the handset. A single network connection at the computer supports data and voice communications so that information from remote sources and software operational at the computer distinguishes voice and data communications.

Claims

1. A housing unit for attaching a telephone switch cradle peripheral to a computer having a common side profile and a rear bezel with a common rear bezel attachment means for use with a plurality of different peripheral devices, said housing unit comprising:

an end cap corresponding with said common side profile of said computer to form a flush and continuous side of said integrated display computer, and having an end cap fastening means;

a holster for holding telephone switch cradle componentry, said holster being attached to said end cap using said end cap fastening means; and

a shroud attached to said end cap and having a common shroud fastening means for attaching said shroud to said rear bezel of said computer using said common rear bezel attachment means,

wherein said end cap and said shroud cooperate to facilitate attachment of said holster for holding telephone switch cradle componentry to said computer.

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

3. The housing unit of claim 1 wherein said shroud is attached to said end cap using a shroud bracket that is inserted into an opening in said end cap.

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

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

6. A method for attaching a peripheral housing unit containing a telephone switch cradle to a computer, said method comprising:

providing a computer having a common side profile, and a rear bezel with a common rear bezel attachment means corresponding with a plurality of different peripheral devices;

attaching an end cap to a holster for holding telephone switch cradle componentry, said end cap corresponding with said common side profile of said computer to form a flush and continuous side of said integrated display computer once assembled;

attaching a shroud to said end cap; and

attaching said shroud to said rear bezel of said computer using common rear bezel attachment means.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said end cap is attached to said shroud using a shroud bracket that is inserted into an opening in said end cap.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein said computer is an integrated display computer.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein said computer is a fanless integrated display computer.

10. An integrated display computer with a peripheral housing unit containing a telephone switch cradle comprising:

an integrated display computer having a common side profile and a front and rear bezel, said rear bezel having a common rear bezel attachment means corresponding with a plurality of different peripheral devices;

an end cap adjacent to a front bezel and corresponding with said common side profile of said integrated display computer, wherein said end cap forms a flush and continuous side of said integrated display computer;

a holster for holding telephone switch cradle componentry, said holster attached to said end cap; and

a shroud attached to said end cap and said rear bezel of said computer, said shroud attached to said rear bezel of said computer using common shroud fastening means and common rear bezel attachment means;

wherein said holster, said shroud, and said end cap form an enclosed housing unit for containing said telephone switch cradle componentry.

11. The integrated display computer of claim 10 wherein said shroud is attached to said end cap using a shroud bracket that is inserted into an opening in said end cap.

12. The integrated display computer of claim 10 wherein said integrated display computer is a fanless computer.

13. The integrated display computer of claim 10 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.

14. The integrated display computer of claim 10 further comprising:

a code reader for scanning a code associated with a product;

a telephone handset in said holster; and

a network connection.

15. The integrated display computer of claim 14 further comprising:

a voice over IP connection with company representatives for said product.

16. The integrated display computer of claim 10 further comprising:

an electronic connection with a remote storage device adapted to transmit data to said integrated display computer.

17. The integrated display computer of claim 16 wherein:

said data is video data for display on said integrated display computer.

18. The integrated display computer of claim 16 wherein:

said data is audio data sent to said telephone switch cradle componentry.