Tree Computer Kiosk System and Method

• US 20170344077A1
• Filed: 08/18/2017
• Published: 11/30/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MISF Holdings Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Ira A. Falk
• Inventors: Falk, Ira A.
• Granted Patent: US 10,281,959 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1601 Constructional details related to the housing of computer displays, e.g. of CRT monitors, of flat displays constructional details related to flat displays integrated in a portable computer, e.g. laptop, handheld computer G06F1/1637; constructional details related to television receivers H04N5/64
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/181 Enclosures for portable computers G06F1/1613
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/182 with special features, e.g. for use in industrial environments; grounding or shielding against radio frequency interference [RFI] or electromagnetical interference [EMI]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/183 Internal mounting support structures, e.g. for printed circuit boards, internal connecting means for buses G06F13/409
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/028 associated with devices performing functions other than acoustics, e.g. electric candles

Abstract

A tree computer kiosk is provided that includes a tree-shaped housing having a trunk and at least one limb and limb stub, where the limb stub is configured to accommodate a display screen. The tree-shaped housing accommodates a computer system including a processor and at least one electronic component. A power supply provides power to the computer processor and other electronic components. The tree-shaped housing includes mounting and mechanisms for securing one or more speakers, cameras, and display screens.

Claims

1. A computer kiosk, comprising:

a tree-shaped housing (101) comprising a trunk (140), at least one limb (130) attached to said trunk (140), and at least one limb stub (160) attached to said trunk (140);

a computer system (105) including a processor (170), wherein at least a portion of said computer system (105) is mounted within said tree-shaped housing (101); and

a first display screen (151), at least a portion of which is mounted within a first limb stub (160) of said at least one limb stub (160), wherein said first display screen (151) is in communication with said computer processor (170), and wherein said first limb stub (160) comprises a display screen/tablet hole frame (152) through which at least a portion of said first display screen (151) is viewable.

2. The computer kiosk of claim 1, further comprising:

a second display screen (151), at least a portion of which mounted within a second limb stub (160) of said at least one limb stub (160), wherein said second display screen (151) is in communication with said computer processor (170), and wherein said second limb stub (160) comprises a display screen/tablet hole frame (152) through which at least a portion of said second display screen (151) is viewable.

3. The computer kiosk of claim 1, further comprising:

a camera system (180) in communication with said computer processor (170) and mounted within said tree-shaped housing (101).

4. The computer kiosk of claim 1, further comprising:

audio speakers (112) in communication with said computer processor (170) and mounted within said tree-shaped housing (101).

5. The computer kiosk of claim 1, wherein said tree-shaped housing (101) further comprises an openable access door (125, 165, 191) that provides access to the interior of said tree-shaped housing (101).

6. The computer kiosk of claim 1, wherein said first display screen (151) and said computer processor (170) are integrated into a tablet computer (150).

7. The computer kiosk of claim 6, wherein said first limb (130) comprises a hinged tablet support (155) that accommodates said tablet computer (150).

8. The computer kiosk of claim 6, wherein said first limb (130) comprises a sliding tablet support (154) that accommodates said tablet computer (150).

9. The computer kiosk of claim 1, wherein said tree-shaped housing (101) further comprises:

an internal support structure (175) forming an internal framework; and

an external decorative skin (179) exterior of said internal support structure (175).

10. The computer kiosk of claim 9, wherein said external decorative skin (179) is formed of a urethane material that imitates the appearance of natural bark.

11. The computer kiosk of claim 9, wherein said tree-shaped housing (101) further comprises at least one camouflaged orifice (124, 131) extending through said external decorative skin (179), wherein said camouflaged orifice imitates an attribute of natural bark in appearance.

12. The computer kiosk of claim 11, further comprising:

an audio speaker (112) mounted within said tree-shaped housing (101) and in communication with said computer processor (170);

wherein said audio speaker (112) is mounted behind at least one of said camouflaged orifices (124); and

a camera system (180) having a camera lens, said camera system in communication with said computer processor (170) and mounted within said tree-shaped housing (101), wherein said camouflaged orifice (131) comprises an artificial knothole (124) defined by edges (122) and said camera lens is disposed behind and in alignment with said artificial knothole (124).

13. The computer kiosk of claim 12, further comprising power wiring (198) providing electrical power to interior of said internal support structure (175).

14. The computer kiosk of claim 1, further comprising multiple artificial leaves (127).

15. The computer kiosk of claim 14, wherein said tree-shaped housing (101) further comprises:

an internal support structure (175) forming an internal framework; and

an external decorative skin (179) exterior of said internal support structure (175); and

multiple limbs (130) each of which is fixedly attached to said internal support structure (175);

wherein each of said multiple artificial leaves (127) is fixedly attached to one of said multiple limbs (130).

16. The computer kiosk of claim 15, wherein said multiple artificial leaves (127) have an appearance of natural leaves.

17. The computer kiosk of claim 15, wherein said multiple artificial leaves (127) comprise fanciful leaves.

18. A computer kiosk, comprising:

a tree-shaped housing (101) comprising a trunk (140), at least one limb (130) attached to said trunk (140), at least one limb stub (160) attached to said trunk (140), an internal support structure (175) having an exterior and forming an internal framework, an external decorative skin (179) attached to said exterior of said internal support structure (175), and at least one camouflaged orifice (124, 131) that extends through said external decorative skin (179), wherein said external decorative skin (179) and said camouflaged orifice imitate natural bark in appearance;

a computer system (105) including a processor (170), wherein at least a portion of said computer system (105) is mounted within said tree-shaped housing (101);

a first display screen (151), at least a portion of which is mounted within a first limb stub (160) of said at least one limb stub (160), wherein said first display screen (151) is in communication with said computer processor (170), and wherein said first limb stub (160) comprises a display screen/tablet hole frame (152) through which at least a portion of said first display screen (151) is viewable;

a display screen support (154) disposed within said a first limb stub (160) and positioned to support said first display screen (151) in a location viewable through said display screen/tablet hole frame (152);

at least one audio speaker (112) in communication with said computer processor (170) and mounted within said tree-shaped housing (101), wherein said tree-shaped housing (101) further comprises an openable access door (125, 165, 191) that provides access to said audio speaker (112) mounted within the interior of said tree-shaped housing (101); and

wherein said audio speaker (112) is mounted behind one of said camouflaged orifices (131);

a camera system (180) having a camera lens, said camera system in communication with said computer processor (170) and mounted within said tree-shaped housing (101), wherein said camouflaged orifice (131) comprises an artificial knothole (124) defined by edges (122) and said camera lens is disposed behind and in alignment with said artificial knothole (124);

power wiring (198) entering said interior of said internal support structure (175) through said openable access door (191);

multiple artificial leaves (127); and

multiple limbs (130) each of which is fixedly attached to said internal support structure (175);

wherein each of said multiple artificial leaves (127) is fixedly attached to one of said multiple limbs (130).

19. The computer kiosk of claim 18, wherein said external decorative skin (179) is formed of a urethane material to imitate the appearance of natural bark.

20. The computer kiosk of claim 18, wherein said multiple artificial leaves (127) replicate natural leaves.