U.S. patent application number 09/832387 was filed with the patent office on 2002-10-17 for flat hanging computer.
Invention is credited to Jackson,, Louiss R. JR..
Application Number | 20020149905 09/832387 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25261500 |
Filed Date | 2002-10-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020149905 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jackson,, Louiss R. JR. |
October 17, 2002 |
Flat hanging computer
Abstract
A space saving technique for computing devices and peripherals.
A mounting technique is provided for positioning at least a portion
of a computing system in a substantially upright orientation to
conserve space. The space saving technique also includes an
integral computing enclosure having a slim thickness, a slim
display and a mounting assembly for facilitating a relatively thin
mounting depth for the integral computing enclosure.
Inventors: |
Jackson,, Louiss R. JR.;
(Tomball, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Robert A. Van Someren
Fletcher, Yoder & Van Someren
P.O. Box 692289
Houston
TX
77269-2289
US
|
Family ID: |
25261500 |
Appl. No.: |
09/832387 |
Filed: |
April 11, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
361/679.21 ;
312/223.2; 312/223.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/0213 20130101;
G06F 2200/1631 20130101; Y10S 345/905 20130101; Y10S 248/917
20130101; G06F 1/166 20130101; G06F 1/1601 20130101; G06F 3/021
20130101; G06F 1/1656 20130101; G06F 1/1626 20130101; G06F 1/181
20130101; G06F 1/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
361/681 ;
361/683; 361/682; 312/223.3; 312/223.2 |
International
Class: |
G06F 001/16 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A space saving system for a computing device, comprising: a
housing for a display and a plurality of computing components; and
a mounting assembly for the housing configured to position the
display in a desired upright orientation, the mounting assembly
comprising a vertical mount structure that facilitates mounting of
the housing on a substantially vertical surface.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing has a slim
thickness.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the housing embodies a
substantially flat panel.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a plurality
of modular bays configured for supporting at least a portion of the
computing components.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the plurality of modular bays
comprises a slot for a compact computer component.
6. The system of claim 4, wherein the plurality of modular bays
comprises a receptacle for a portable computer component.
7. The system of claim 4, wherein the plurality of modular bays
comprises a bay for a desktop computer component.
8. The system of claim 1, comprising the display disposed on a face
of the housing.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the display comprises a
substantially flat display screen.
10. The system of claim 8, wherein the display comprises a viewable
area configured for a personal computer system.
11. The system of claim 8, comprising display angle adjustment
assembly coupled to the housing for orienting the display in a
desired viewing angle.
12. The system of claim 1, comprising at least one of the plurality
of computing components.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein the computing components
comprise a processor.
14. The system of claim 12, wherein the computing components
comprise a motherboard.
15. The system of claim 12, wherein the computing components
comprise a data storage device.
16. The system of claim 12, wherein the computing components
comprise a battery for providing a mobile power supply.
17. The system of claim 12, wherein the computing components
comprise a port configured for communication with an external
electronic device.
18. The system of claim 12, wherein the computing components
comprise a wireless communication assembly for interacting with
peripheral devices.
19. The system of claim 1, wherein the vertical mount structure
comprises a wall mount structure.
20. The system of claim 1, wherein the mounting assembly comprises
a horizontal mount structure for mounting the housing on a
substantially horizontal surface.
21. A computing apparatus, comprising: a housing comprising a
display and a plurality of computing devices, wherein the display
is coupled to a side of the housing and the housing has a slim
thickness; and a mounting assembly for the housing configured to
facilitate a desired upright orientation of the display and a
shallow horizontal space consumption of the housing.
22. The system of claim 21, wherein the display comprises a flat
panel display screen.
23. The system of claim 21, wherein the display comprises a
viewable area adapted for a computer system.
24. The system of claim 21, wherein the computing devices comprise
modular bodies adapted for removable insertion into, and coupling
with, the housing.
25. The system of claim 21, wherein the computing devices comprise
portable computer devices.
26. The system of claim 21, wherein the computing devices comprise
desktop computer devices.
27. The system of claim 21, wherein the computing devices comprise
compact computer devices configured for the slim thickness.
28. The system of claim 21, wherein the computing devices comprise
a processor unit.
29. The system of claim 21, wherein the computing devices comprise
a mobile power supply.
30. The system of claim 21, wherein the computing devices comprise
software.
31. The system of claim 21, wherein the computing devices comprise
a data transfer port for communicating with external devices.
32. The system of claim 21, wherein the computing devices comprise
a wireless communication port.
33. The system of claim 21, wherein the mounting assembly comprises
a vertical mount structure.
34. The system of claim 21, wherein the mounting assembly comprises
a horizontal mount structure.
35. The system of claim 21, comprising a slim peripheral device
configured for communicatively coupling to a port of the housing,
wherein the slim peripheral device has a mounting structure
configured to facilitate a substantially vertical positioning of
the slim peripheral device.
36. The system of claim 21, comprising a keyboard configured for
communicatively coupling to a port of the housing.
37. A computer system, comprising: a computer enclosure having a
shallow depth; a display screen coupled to the computer enclosure;
a plurality of electronics disposed within the shallow depth; and a
support assembly configured to facilitate a substantially vertical
orientation of the display screen and a slim horizontal depth
consumption by the computer enclosure.
38. The system of claim 37, wherein the display screen embodies a
substantially flat panel display assembly.
39. The system of claim 37, wherein the electronic devices comprise
modular bodies adapted for removable insertion into, and coupling
with, the computer enclosure.
40. The system of claim 37, wherein the electronic devices comprise
computer components having a compact geometry.
41. The system of claim 37, wherein the electronic devices comprise
a desktop computer component.
42. The system of claim 37, wherein the electronic devices comprise
a mobile computing component.
43. The system of claim 37, wherein the support assembly comprises
a vertical mounting structure.
44. The system of claim 37, wherein the support assembly comprises
a horizontal mounting structure.
45. The system of claim 37, comprising a slim peripheral device
communicatively coupled to the plurality of electronics, wherein
the slim peripheral device has a mounting structure configured to
facilitate a substantially vertical positioning of the slim
peripheral device.
46. A space saving method for a computing system, comprising:
integrating a display assembly with a plurality of computing
components in a thin panel enclosure; coupling a vertical support
assembly to the thin panel enclosure; and facilitating a shallow
horizontal depth consumption of the thin panel enclosure.
47. The method of claim 46, wherein integrating comprises disposing
a display screen of the display assembly on a face of the thin
panel enclosure.
48. The method of claim 46, wherein integrating comprises
integrating a central processor within the thin panel
enclosure.
49. The method of claim 46, wherein coupling the vertical support
assembly comprises coupling a wall mount to the thin panel
enclosure.
50. The method of claim 46, wherein coupling the vertical support
assembly comprises coupling a desk mount to the thin panel
enclosure.
51. The method of claim 46, wherein facilitating a shallow
horizontal depth consumption comprises facilitating a substantially
upright orientation of the thin panel enclosure.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present technique relates generally to the field of
computer systems, and more specifically to space saving techniques.
The present technique is a system and method for configuring a
computer system to maximize workspace.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Computer systems generally include a computer unit and
peripherals. For example, a typical computer unit may include a
computer housing having a motherboard, a processor, a hard drive,
random access memory (RAM), a disk drive (e.g., a floppy drive, a
CD ROM drive, a DVD ROM drive, a ZIP drive, etc.), communication
ports, a cooling system (e.g., a fan), a power supply, a modem, a
network device, an audio assembly (e.g., a sound card, a speaker,
etc.), and other computing devices. The computer system also may
include peripherals, such as a monitor, a printer, a scanner, a
keyboard, a mouse, speakers, a disk drive or other storage devices,
a modem or other communication devices, and various other
standalone components. Accordingly, a typical computer system
includes a variety of separate components communicating through
various ports, such as serial, parallel, PS/2, video, USB, IRDA
(infrared), and various other communication protocols. Moreover,
each of these components consumes a considerable amount of
workspace.
[0003] Regardless of the type of computer system (i.e., desktop or
portable), a significant amount of workspace is consumed due to the
conventional orientation of computer component. For example,
desktop units have a large footprint in both horizontal and
vertical orientations. Monitors also have a large footprint, which
generally increases with the viewable area. Laptop computers
consume less space than desktop computers, but are intended for
mobile use. For many users, the display screen, the keyboard, and
other features are difficult or inconvenient to use. Accordingly,
laptop computers are often connected to standard monitors,
keyboards, and other desktop devices during non-mobile operation.
Moreover, the laptop itself has a considerably large footprint, and
also requires extra space for the display to be oriented at a
desired viewing angle.
[0004] Accordingly, a technique is needed for reducing space
requirements for computer systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present technique is associated with space saving
techniques for computer systems and associated electronic devices.
A mounting technique is provided for positioning at least a portion
of a computing system in a substantially upright orientation to
conserve space. The space saving technique also includes an
integral computing enclosure having a thin profile, a thin display
and a mounting assembly for facilitating a relatively shallow
mounting depth for the integral computing enclosure.
[0006] Another aspect of the present technique provides a space
saving system for a computing device. The space saving system
includes a housing for a display and a plurality of computing
components, and a mounting assembly for the housing. The mounting
assembly is configured for positioning the display in a desired
upright orientation. Also, the mounting assembly includes a
vertical mount structure for mounting the housing on a
substantially vertical surface.
[0007] Another aspect of the present technique provides a space
saving method for a computing system. The space saving method
includes integrating a display assembly with a plurality of
computing components in a slim panel enclosure. The method also
includes coupling a vertical support assembly to the slim panel
enclosure, and facilitating a shallow horizontal depth consumption
of the slim panel enclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The invention will hereafter be described with reference to
the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote
like elements, and:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary computer system
including a slim computer unit and a user input device;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the computer system in an
exemplary vertical mount orientation;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the computer system in an
exemplary horizontal mount orientation;
[0012] FIGS. 4 and 5 are perspective views of alternate device
configurations for the slim computer unit of the present technique;
and
[0013] FIGS. 6 through 8 are views of alternate mounting structures
for the slim computer unit of the present technique.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
[0014] The present technique relates to space saving configurations
for computing devices and peripherals to minimize workspace
consumption. The technique is widely applicable and can be utilized
on desktop computers, portable computers (e.g., notebooks, laptops,
palmtops, etc.), servers, monitors, printers, scanners, audio/video
devices, docking devices, and various other computing and
peripheral devices. The present technique configures computing
devices and peripherals in a relatively thin enclosure suitable to
be vertically mounted or to be disposed on a horizontal surface in
a substantially upright orientation. Accordingly, the workspace
(e.g., horizontal area) consumed by the device is substantially
reduced. The following detailed description provides exemplary
embodiments and applications of the present technique, which should
be interpreted broadly to include all computing devices,
peripherals and environments.
[0015] Referring generally to FIG. 1, an exemplary computer system
10 is illustrated according to one embodiment of the present
technique. As illustrated, the computer system 10 includes a flat
panel computer 12 communicatively coupled to a keyboard 14 via a
cable 16. The flat panel computer 12 includes an enclosure 18
housing a display 20 and a plurality of internal computer
components. In this exemplary embodiment, the display 20 may be a
flat panel display assembly, which can have one or more display
layers such as a liquid crystal display screen, brightness
enhancement films, diffusion screens, antiglare and anti-reflective
layers, and others. A display cover also may be provided to protect
the display 20 during mobile use. For example, the display cover
can have a snap-fit, a slide on, or other attachment mechanisms for
coupling with the enclosure 18. The display 20 has a viewable area
configured for the desired application (e.g., desktop, mobile,
desktop/mobile, etc.), which may result in a broad range of display
sizes (e.g., 5" to 21"). However, the viewable area can exceed this
range for a particular application. The internal computer
components can include various electronic components, such as a
processor, a data storage device (e.g, a disk drive, random access
memory (RAM), a hard drive, etc.), a motherboard, a battery, and
other desired devices and software (e.g., operating system,
applications, etc.) within the enclosure 18.
[0016] The flat panel computer 12, as illustrated in FIG. 1,
includes a plurality of bays and ports, such as bays 22, 24, 26,
28, 30 and 32 and ports 34, 36, 38, 40 and 42. The bays 22, 24, 26,
28, 30 and 32 can have integral components installed therein or the
bays may be configured for removable insertion of devices. For
example, the bays 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 and 32 can removably house
devices 44, 46, 48, 50, 52 and 54, respectively, which may include
a floppy disk drive, a battery, a network device, a modem, a CD-Rom
drive, a CD-RW drive, a DVD-Rom drive, a DVD-Ram drive, a DVD-RW
drive, a DVD-R drive, a tape drive, or a variety of other desired
electronic components. One or more devices and bays also may be
adapted for hot-swapping and plug-n-play device setups. The bays
22, 24, 26, 28, 30 and 32 also can be configured to house a variety
of desktop devices, portable devices, and other custom, compact or
hybrid devices. For example, bays 30 and 32 may house laptop
computer devices, such as PCMCIA cards. The ports 34, 36, 38, 40
and 42 can embody a variety of communication standards and
configurations, such as a serial port (e.g., RS-232C, RS-422,
RS-423, RS-485, etc.), an audio port, a parallel port, a midi/game
port, a video port, a PS/2 port, an SCSI port, an Ethernet port, a
modem port, a wireless port (e.g., IRDA, radio frequency, blue
tooth, optical, digital, etc.), a USB port, an IEEE 1394 port, and
other hot-plugging, plug-n-play, and desired communication ports.
As discussed above, the present technique may employ a broad
spectrum of components, drives, ports, and configurations, which
may utilize existing standards, custom configurations, or emerging
technologies and standards. Accordingly, the present technique
should be understood to encompass all such technologies and devices
in the following discussion.
[0017] In one example of the present technique, the cable 16 is
coupled to the port 42, which may be a serial port, a PS/2 port, a
USB port, an IEEE 1394 port, or another communication port suitable
for a keyboard or input/output device. In this exemplary
embodiment, the keyboard 14 includes keyboard buttons 56 and a
pointing device 58 having a roller-ball 60 and buttons 62, 64 and
66. The keyboard 14 also includes buttons 68, 70 and 72 and
adjustment dials 74 and 76. The buttons 68, 70 and 72 can be
configured to control various functions of the flat panel computer
12, such as powering the flat panel computer 12 and the display 20
on and off, resetting the operating system of the flat panel
computer 12, or other desired functions. The adjustment dials 74
and 76 can be used for adjusting a display brightness level, an
audio volume level, or other desired features. The keyboard 14 also
may have additional buttons, dials, or alternate components for the
pointing device 58, as desired for particular applications.
[0018] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the flat panel computer 12 of the
present technique is relatively compact and integrated to reduce
space requirements of the computer system 10. For example, the
enclosure 18 has a thickness 78, which is relatively small and
uniform throughout the flat panel computer 12. Accordingly, the
flat panel computer 12 takes up a relatively small amount of space
in the upright orientation as illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0019] In terms of workspace, the flat panel computer conserves the
horizontal work surface. For example, in a vertical orientation,
the horizontal mounting depth is only the thickness 78 of the
enclosure 18. At a desired viewing angle, the horizontal mounting
depth is simply the projected area from the enclosure 18 onto the
mount surface. Also note that reference to a horizontal mount
surface should be interpreted broadly to include a variety of
angled surfaces. The mounting assembly for the flat panel computer
12 can adapt to a surface (e.g., horizontal, or slightly angled) by
adjusting the level of the mount structure, as discussed below with
reference to FIG. 8. Furthermore, the use of the keyboard 14 having
the pointing device 58 integrated within the keyboard reduces space
consumption by the computer system 10.
[0020] Referring generally to FIG. 2, a perspective view of an
exemplary configuration of the computer system 10 is illustrated.
As illustrated, the flat panel computer 12 is vertically mounted to
a vertical surface 80 adjacent to a rear portion 82 of a table 84.
The vertical surface 80 may be a physical wall, a divider for a
cubical, or some other sort of vertical support. The table 84 may
be an office desk, a countertop, a single or multi-legged table, or
some other sort of horizontal support. As illustrated in FIG. 2,
the table 84 has a keyboard compartment 86 for removably accessing
the keyboard 14 when desired by the user. In this embodiment, the
keyboard 14 has a touch pad 88 for the pointing device 58. However,
a variety of other pointing devices and keyboard configurations can
be utilized within the scope of the present technique. As
illustrated in FIG. 2, the positioning of the flat panel computer
12 and the keyboard 14 substantially frees up working space on a
horizontal surface 90 of the table 84. The present technique also
may be used to free up space occupied by peripheral devices, such
as a printer, a scanner, audio/video devices, and a variety of
other computer devices. For example, a printer 92, a sheet fed
scanner 94 and speakers 96 and 98 can be vertically mounted on the
vertical surface 80 adjacent to the flat panel computer 12. The
speakers 96 and 98 can be communicatively coupled to the flat panel
computer 12 via audio ports, such as the ports 38. The sheet fed
scanner 94 can be communicatively coupled to the flat panel
computer 12 via the port 36, which may be a serial port, a USB
port, an IEEE 1394 port, or another suitable port type. The printer
92 also can be communicatively coupled to the flat panel computer
12 via ports, such as IRDA ports 100 and 102 (infrared ports)
disposed on the flat panel computer 12 and the printer 92,
respectively. It should be noted that ports 100 and 102 may embody
other wireless technologies, such as radio frequency ports, blue
tooth ports, optical ports, and other emerging wireless
technologies. The computer system 10 and peripherals also may have
one or more power supplies. For example, the flat panel computer 12
may have a battery and a power port 104 for a power cord 106, which
can be connected to a power supply 108. Similarly, the printer 92
may have a battery and a power cord 110 for coupling the printer 92
to a power supply 112. The sheet fed scanner 94 also can have a
battery and a power cord 114 for coupling the sheet fed scanner 94
to a power supply 116. Alternatively, the flat panel computer 12
may provide power to one or more of the peripheral devices, such as
the printer 92, the sheet fed scanner 94, and the speakers 96 and
98. Accordingly, the power cords 110 and 114 can be coupled to the
flat panel computer 12 rather than to the power supplies 112 and
116, respectively. Thus, the present technique provides a
relatively integrated and open workspace. Although the present
technique is illustrated in context of an office environment, the
unique features of the present technique are also applicable in a
variety of other environments.
[0021] Referring generally to FIG. 3, a perspective view of the
computer system 10 illustrating the flat panel computer 12 in a
horizontal mount orientation is illustrated. As illustrated, the
flat panel computer 12 is horizontally mounted in a substantially
upright orientation on a horizontal surface 118 of a table 120. The
flat panel computer 12 is supported in the substantially upright
orientation by legs 122 and 124, which are coupled to the flat
panel computer 12 at hinges 126 and 128, respectively. Accordingly,
the legs 122 and 124 are configured to rotate from a rear face 130
of the flat panel computer 12 to the horizontal mount orientation,
as illustrated in FIG. 3. The legs 122 and 124 can be configured to
support the flat panel computer 12 at a 90 degree angle with
respect to the horizontal surface 118, or the legs 122 and 124 may
allow adjustment to a desired viewing angle for the user. Moreover,
the flat panel computer 12 may include a port 132 for wireless
communication with a port 134 disposed on the keyboard 14.
[0022] For example, the ports 132 and 134 may be IRDA ports, 900
Megahertz ports, blue tooth ports, or other wireless port types.
Also, the keyboard 14 illustrated in FIG. 3 has the pointing device
58 separated from the keyboard 14, as opposed to an integral
keyboard 14 with the pointing device, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and
2. In this embodiment, the pointing device 58 is a mouse 136 having
buttons 138 and 140 and a mouse ball 142 disposed adjacent the
horizontal surface 118. Note also, that the pointing device 58 is
communicatively coupled to the keyboard 14 via a cable 144, rather
than being coupled directly to the flat panel computer 12. This
configuration eliminates unnecessary wiring and frees up space.
Although the horizontal mount orientation illustrated in FIG. 3
consumes relatively more workspace on the horizontal surface 118
than the vertical mount orientation illustrated in FIG. 2, the flat
panel computer 12 can be positioned toward a rear portion 146 of
the table 120 while the keyboard 14 can be stowed wherever desired
thanks to the wireless communication system.
[0023] Referring generally to FIG. 4, a perspective view of an
alternate embodiment of the flat panel computer 12 is illustrated.
As illustrated, the flat panel computer 12 has a plurality of
devices and ports disposed within the enclosure 18. For example, on
a side 148 of the enclosure 18, the flat panel computer 12 has a
floppy drive 150 and a CD/DVD drive 152 disposed within the
enclosure 18. The flat panel computer 12 also has a serial port
154, a parallel port 156, an audio port 158, a phone jack 160, a
network jack 162, a USB port 164, and a power port 166
communicatively coupled to internal components of the flat panel
computer 12. On a side 168 of the enclosure 18, the flat panel
computer 12 has a battery 170 disposed within the enclosure 18. The
side 168 also has a volume dial 172, an audio port 174, a USB port
176, and an IRDA port 178 communicatively coupled to the internal
components of the flat panel computer 12. Again, it should be noted
that the port technologies used above may include any existing or
emerging communication technology, including radio frequency, blue
tooth, optical, and other wireless communication protocols.
[0024] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the flat panel computer 12 may be
orientated with the side 148 positioned at the base or at the top
of the flat panel computer 12. For example, the flat panel computer
12 can be orientated with the side 148 up or down for the vertical
mount orientation illustrated in FIG. 2. However, for a horizontal
mount (e.g. a desktop mount), the flat panel computer 12 may be
orientated with the side 148 up to allow operability of the ports
and devices disposed on the side 148. Note also, that the floppy
drive 150 and the CD-DVD 152 can be configured for automatically
excepting and rejecting discs from the respective drives to improve
the functionally of the drives in vertically orientation.
[0025] Referring generally to FIG. 5, a perspective view of an
alternate embodiment of the flat panel computer 12 is illustrated.
In this embodiment, the flat panel computer 12 is configured to
improve versatility in various orientations of the computer system
10. For example, the flat panel computer 12 has rubber feet 180 and
182 disposed on a base 184 of the enclosure 18. In the horizontal
mount orientation, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the rubber feet 180
and 182 of this embodiment can improve the stability of the upright
orientation of the enclosure 18. The flat panel computer 12 also
has a battery 186 disposed in a receptacle 188 in the base 184.
Other devices that are not frequently used during operation of the
computer system 10 also can be disposed in the base 184.
Accordingly, space on the sides of the enclosure 18 is preserved
for devices frequently used during operation of the computer system
10. For example, on a side 190 of the enclosure 18, the flat panel
computer 12 has a floppy disc drive 192 and a CD-DVD drive 194
disposed in receptacles 196 and 198, respectively. The side 190
also has an audio volume dial 200, a display brightness adjustment
dial 202, a power button 204, and a reset button 206 for the
computer system 10. Accordingly, the embodiment illustrated in FIG.
5 improves the versatility between vertical and horizontal mount
orientations.
[0026] Referring generally to FIG. 6, a rear view of the flat panel
computer 12 illustrating mounting structures for both a vertical
and horizontal orientation of the enclosure 18 is illustrated. As
illustrated, the flat panel computer 12 has wall mounts 208 and 210
disposed at an upper portion 212 of the flat panel computer 12. In
this exemplary embodiment, the wall mounts 208 and 210 include
mounting slots having narrow portions 214 and 216 extending into
enlarged portions 218 and 220, respectively. Thus, the wall mounts
208 and 210 can be used to mount the flat panel computer 12 on a
pair of nails, screws or other mounting members having an enlarged
head coupled to a vertical surface (e.g., a wall). Although the
illustrated embodiment includes two wall mounts (i.e., 208 and
210), any number and type of wall mounts can be used within the
scope of the present technique. The flat panel computer 12 also has
legs 222 and 224 coupled to the rear face 130 via hinges 226 and
228, respectively.
[0027] As illustrated, the legs 222 and 224 are disposed in
recessed surfaces 230 and 232, respectively, in the rear face 130.
Accordingly, the legs 222 and 224 may be substantially flush with
the rear face 130 in the stored or retracted position, as
illustrated in FIG. 6. In the stored position, the flat panel
computer 12 is configured for a vertical mount. However, to
horizontally mount the flat panel computer 12, the legs 222 and 224
are rotated about the hinges 226 and 228 outwardly from the rear
face 130. In operation, the legs 222 and 224 can be locked into
place at an outward position for horizontal mounting. The flat
panel computer 12 also may have one or more removable panels to
facilitate access to internal components of computer system 10. For
example, the embodiment of FIG. 6 has panels 234 and 236, which may
provide access to RAM, to the CPU, or to other internal devices.
Note also, that a variety of other leg structures can be utilized
within the scope of the present technique, such as those
illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8.
[0028] Referring generally to FIG. 7, a rear view of an alternate
embodiment of the flat panel computer 12 is illustrated. As
illustrated, the flat panel computer 12 has wall mounts 238, 240,
242 and 244 disposed about the perimeters of the rear face 130. The
wall mounts 238, 240, 242 and 244 are illustrated as slots having
narrow and enlarged portions for securely mounting to a set of
screws, nails or other members having enlarged heads coupled to a
vertical surface. However, a variety of other wall mounting
structures can also be utilized within the scope of the present
technique. To horizontally mount the flat panel computer 12, the
embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7 includes a vertical leg 246 and
horizontal leg 248. The vertical leg 246 is pivotally coupled to
the rear face 130 of the enclosure 18 via hinges 250 and 252
disposed at the top portion 254 and the bottom portion 256 of the
enclosure 18, respectively. The horizontal leg 248 is pivotally
coupled to the rear face 130 of the enclosure 18 via hinges 258 and
260, which are pivotally coupled at the bottom portion 256 at sides
262 and 264, respectively. Note also, that the vertical leg 246 and
the horizontal leg 248 are stored in recessed surfaces 266 and 268,
respectively, which reduce the protrusiveness of the legs 246 and
248. Accordingly, the vertical leg 246 and the horizontal leg 248
are retracted such that they do not interfere with a vertical mount
of the flat panel computer 12 via the wall mounts 238, 240, 242 and
244.
[0029] Referring generally to FIG. 8, a perspective view of the
flat panel computer 12, as illustrated in FIG. 7 is shown.
According to this embodiment of the horizontal mount structure, the
horizontal leg 248 can be rotated about the hinges 258 and 260
outwardly from the recessed surface 268 towards a horizontal
orientation. The horizontal leg 248 may include a locking mechanism
to secure the horizontal leg 248 in the horizontal orientation (or
one of several orientations to achieve a desired viewing angle)
without the need for the vertical leg 250, yet the vertical leg 250
is provided for additional support and stability in the horizontal
mount orientation. Accordingly, the vertical leg 246 can be rotated
about the hinges 258 and 260 outwardly from the recessed surface
266 and toward a coupling point 270 where the vertical leg 246
meets the horizontal leg 248.
[0030] To secure the vertical leg 246 to the horizontal leg 248 in
the horizontal orientation, the vertical leg 246 is provided with a
slot 272 at an outer portion 274 of the vertical leg 246. The
vertical leg 246 is then coupled to the horizontal leg 248 at a
central portion 276 of the horizontal leg 248. Accordingly, the
legs 246 and 248 form a triangular support structure behind the
flat panel computer 12. Note also, that the vertical leg 246 may
include an adjustment mechanism at the hinges 250 and 252 to
facilitate multiple vertical positions of the vertical leg 246.
Thus, the multiple vertical positions would facilitate multiple
horizontal orientations of contact between the legs 246 and 248,
which would provide a user with multiple viewing angles for the
display. The adjustment mechanism also can be used to adapt to an
angled surface (e.g., slightly offset from horizontal). Although
exemplary support and mount structures have been illustrated in the
preceding figures, a variety of mounting assemblies can be applied
to the flat panel computer 12 within the scope of the present
technique.
[0031] While the invention may be susceptible to various
modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been
shown by way of example in the drawings and have been described in
detail herein. However, it should be understood that the invention
is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed.
For example, the present technique may be applied to a variety of
computer systems, peripheral devices, and other electronic and
computing devices, each having a variety of components and
features. The present technique also may use a variety of mounting
structures to position the particular device in the desired
location. Moreover, a broad spectrum of electronic and
communication technologies can be employed within the scope of the
present technique. For example, wireless communication, blue tooth
technologies, hot-plugging and plug-n-play technologies, optical
and digital technologies, and other emerging technologies are all
within the scope of the present technique. Accordingly, the
invention is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and
alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention
as defined by the following appended claims.
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