Abstract:
An apparatus can be employed as a mobile wireless order point and pick-up station. The apparatus can be configured to house a display device and to allow the display device to be used in many different locations for the purpose of receiving and/or picking up orders. To facilitate its mobility, the apparatus can include an integrated pallet jack and be configured with wireless communication capabilities and a portable power source. The apparatus may also include a retractable awning which can serve to provide shading to the display device to facilitate its use and to reduce heating when the apparatus is used in an outdoor environment.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    N/A 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Many businesses, such as restaurants, sporting venues, amusement parks, etc., employ digital display devices to convey information to their customers. These digital display devices (hereinafter “display devices”), which are similar to flat panel televisions, allow businesses to dynamically display and update content in a simple manner. 
         [0003]    It is oftentimes desirable to enclose the display devices in order to protect them from environmental conditions or other damage. When the display devices are enclosed, it is typically necessary to provide some type of cooling system to ensure that the display devices do not overheat. This is especially true when the display devices are installed in outdoor environments where air temperature cannot be controlled. 
         [0004]    Prior art display enclosure designs oftentimes employ a refrigerated (or active) cooling system to prevent overheating of the display devices. Although such active cooling systems are effective, they add complexity and cost to both the manufacturing and maintenance of the enclosure. Additionally, prior art display enclosures typically employ a stationary design thereby limiting where they can be used. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The present invention extends to an apparatus that can be employed as a mobile wireless order point and pick-up station. The apparatus can be configured to house a display device and to allow the display device to be used in many different locations for the purpose of receiving and/or picking up orders. To facilitate its mobility, the apparatus can include an integrated pallet jack and be configured with wireless communication capabilities and a portable power source. The apparatus may also include a retractable awning which can serve to provide shading to the display device to facilitate its use and to reduce heating when the apparatus is used in an outdoor environment. 
         [0006]    In one embodiment, the present invention is implemented as a mobile wireless order point and pick-up station that includes: a frame comprising a first set of opposing vertical beams; a base coupled to the first set of opposing vertical beams, the base forming a cabinet for housing a battery and wireless circuitry; an enclosure for a digital display device, the enclosure being secured to the frame above the base; an awning coupled to the frame and positioned overtop the enclosure; and a pallet jack positioned under the base. 
         [0007]    In another embodiment, the present invention is implemented as a mobile wireless order point and pick-up station that includes: a frame; a base coupled to the frame, the base housing a battery and wireless circuitry; an enclosure for a digital display device, the enclosure being positioned above the base and being secured to one or both of the frame or the base; and an awning coupled to the frame via a hinged connection, the awning having an extended orientation in which the awning is oriented generally horizontally overtop the enclosure and a retraced orientation in which the awning is oriented generally vertically in front of the enclosure. 
         [0008]    In another embodiment, the present invention is implemented as a mobile wireless order point and pick-up station that includes: a frame; a base coupled to the frame; an enclosure for a digital display device, the enclosure being positioned above the base and being secured to one or both of the frame or the base; an awning coupled to the frame via a hinged connection; and a pallet jack integrated into the base. 
         [0009]    This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
         [0010]    Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by the practice of the invention. The features and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features of the present invention will become more filly apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    In order to describe the mariner in which the above-recited and other advantages and features of the invention can be obtained, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0012]      FIGS. 1A-1C  illustrate a front perspective view, a side view, and a front view respectively of a mobile wireless order point and pick-up station when the retractable awning is extended; 
           [0013]      FIG. 1D  illustrates an example of how the frame of the mobile wireless order point and pick-up station can be configured to allow the awning to retract; 
           [0014]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate a front perspective view and a side view respectively of the mobile wireless order point and pick-up station with the awning retracted; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  illustrates the mobile wireless order point and pick-up station with the awning and display device enclosure removed; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  illustrates the display device enclosure in isolation; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  illustrates the pallet jack in isolation; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6A  illustrates how the pallet jack can be integrated into the mobile wireless order point and pick-up station; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6B  illustrates how a battery and wireless circuitry can be integrated into the mobile wireless order point and pick-up station; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7A  a side perspective view of the mobile wireless order point and pick-up station in which the underside of the awning is visible; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7B  is a rear perspective view of the mobile wireless order point and pick-up station showing how the pallet jack can be integrated into the mobile wireless order point and pick-up station. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]      FIGS. 1A-1C, 2A, and 2B  illustrate various views of a mobile wireless order point and pick-up station  100  configured in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. Station  100  includes a frame  101 , a base  102 , an enclosure  103  for a digital display device (e.g., a television), an awning  104 , and a pallet jack  105  that is integrated into base  102 . Base  102  can be secured to frame  101  such that, when base  102  is lifted by pallet jack  105 , station  100  can be transported. Frame  101  can be configured to allow awning  104  to be retracted to facilitate transport and storage of station  100 . 
         [0023]    As best shown in  FIG. 1C , station  100  can include one or more shocks  106   a ,  106   b  for maintaining awning  104  in the extended position shown in  FIGS. 1A-1C . In particular, frame  101  can include two opposing vertical beams  101   a   1 ,  101   a   2  to which one end of shocks  106   a,    106   b  are coupled. The opposing end of shocks  106   a,    106   b  can be coupled to an underside of awning  104  such that, when the shocks are extended, they will provide an upward force for maintaining awning  104  in a generally horizontal position. 
         [0024]    To allow awning  104  to pivot between the extended position shown in  FIGS. 1A-1C  and a retracted position shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , frame  101  can include a hinged connection. As best shown in  FIG. 1D , this hinged connection can be formed of a first horizontal beam  101   b   1  that extends between vertical beams  101   a   1 ,  101   a   2 , a second horizontal beam  101   b   2  that extends between vertical beams  101   d   1  and  101   d   2 , and a hinge  101   c  that is coupled between first and second horizontal beams  101   b   1 ,  101   b   2 . Hinge  101   c  can be oriented to allow awning  104  to pivot downwardly overtop enclosure  103 . 
         [0025]    Vertical beams  101   d   1 ,  101   d   2  can function to position this hinged connection at a distance from awning  104  so that, when awning  104  is retracted, it will be oriented vertically and positioned immediately in front of enclosure  103 . In particular, as shown in  FIG. 2B , when awning  104  is in the retracted position, vertical beams  101   d   1 ,  101   d   2  will be in a generally horizontal position which allows awning  104  to be oriented vertically in front of and adjacent to enclosure  103 . In this way, the retracted orientation forms a compact design to facilitate storage and transport of station  100 . Further, by positioning awning  104  overtop enclosure  103 , awning  104  can protect a display device contained within enclosure  103 . As is also shown in  FIG. 2B , a length of vertical beams  101   a   1 ,  101   a   2  as well as a length of awning  104  can be configured such that awning  104  will fully cover enclosure  103  when in the retracted position. 
         [0026]    Base  102  can have a shape that forms a flat area on top of which enclosure  103  may sit. Enclosure  103  may be secured to base  102  and/or frame  101  to allow enclosure  103  to house a digital display device such as a television (not shown). Enclosure  103  may be configured to provide passive cooling to an enclosed digital display device to thereby allow station  100  to be used in outdoor environments where high temperatures may be experienced. As an example, enclosure  103  may form an airflow channel around an enclosed display device which can serve to carry heat away from the display device. Examples of suitable designs that can be employed for enclosure  103  are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/715,265 which is incorporated herein by reference. However, simpler designs than those described in that application may be employed for enclosure  103  as will be addressed below. 
         [0027]      FIG. 3  illustrates frame  101  and base  102  with enclosure  103  and awning  104  removed. As shown, base  102  can include a rear wall  102   a  which is coupled to and extends between vertical beams  101   a   1 ,  101   a   2 . Opposing sidewalls  102   b   1 ,  102   b   2  of base  102  can extend forwardly from rear wall  102   a  and/or vertical beams  101   a   1 ,  101   a   2  thereby forming sidewalls of a cabinet. A top surface of sidewalls  102   b   1 ,  102   b   2  can form the surface on which enclosure  103  may be positioned in some embodiments. A front wall  102   c  of base  102  can extend between sidewalls  102   b   1 ,  102   b   2  at a front edge of sidewalls  102   b   1 ,  102   b   2 . The combination of rear wall  102   a,  sidewalls  102   b   1 ,  102   b   2 , front wall  102   c,  and a bottom  102   d  (shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B ) form the cabinet in which various components can be stored as will be described below. In some embodiments, one or more of these walls can be removable to allow access to the components within the cabinet. For example, front wall  102   c  may be removably coupled to sidewalls  102   b   1 ,  102   b   2  (or otherwise configured to open). 
         [0028]      FIG. 4  illustrates an example of enclosure  103  in isolation. In some embodiments, enclosure  103  can comprise a main housing  103   a,  a rear panel  103   b,  and a front panel  103   c.  Main housing  103   a  can be sized and shaped to accommodate a display device such as a flat screen television or monitor. Although not shown, enclosure  103  and/or frame  101  may include a mount positioned within enclosure  103  to which the display device may be secured. Enclosure  103  can be coupled to frame  101  is any suitable way. In some embodiments, main housing  103   a  can form airflow channels through which air can flow for removing heat from around the display device. For example, these airflow channels can be formed internally within main housing  103   a  (i.e., main housing  103   a —or at least a portion of it—can be hollow). Although not shown, main housing  103   a  can include one or more openings or vents through which air may flow. For example, a bottom surface of main housing  103   a  can include one or more vents through which air may flow into one or more channels in main housing, while a top surface of main housing  103   a  can include one or more vents through which air may flow out of the one or more channels in main housing  103   a.    
         [0029]      FIG. 5  provides an example of pallet jack  105  in isolation. Pallet jack  105  can include a body  105   c  from which arms  10   b   5  extend. A wheel or wheels  105   d  may be positioned under body  105   c.  Body  105   c  and/or arms  105   b  can be configured to pivot upwardly with respect to wheels  105   d  thereby causing a lifting force to be applied to bottom  102   d.  This pivoting can be accomplished by rotating handle  105   a  in a downward direction as is common with pallet jacks. 
         [0030]      FIG. 6A  illustrates how pallet jack  105  can be integrated into base  102 . As shown, rear wall  102   a  and bottom  102   d  can include cutouts  102   a   1 ,  102   d   1  respectively into which body  105   c  is inserted to thereby position arms  105   b  underneath bottom  102   d.  Rear wall  102   a  can be positioned with respect to vertical beams  101   a   1 ,  101   a   2  to form an offset  102   a   2 . With pallet jack  105  secured underneath base  102 , handle  105   a  can be located at least partially within this offset  102   a   2  to minimize the amount of handle  105   a  that will protrude beyond the rear surface of vertical beams  101   a   1 ,  101   a   2 . When station  100  is in use, handle  105   a  can be positioned vertically within offset  102   a   2  so that it will form little or no obstruction to the use of station  100  such as is shown in  FIG. 1B . Then, when it is desired to move station  100 , handle  105   a  can be rotated downwardly to cause arms  105   b  to elevate base  102  thereby allowing station  100  to be easily transported. 
         [0031]      FIG. 6B  illustrates how the cabinet formed by base  102  can house components for enabling station  100  to be portable/wireless. As shown, a rechargeable battery  107  and wireless circuitry  108  can be supported on bottom  102   d  and enclosed within base  102 . A display device (which may be a touch display in some embodiments) that is positioned within enclosure  103  can be coupled to battery  107  and circuitry  108  to allow it to function as a wireless order point and/or pick-up station. As shown in  FIG. 3 , a top section of base  102  over which enclosure  103  may be positioned may be open (or include an opening) through which wires may run to connect the display device with battery  107  and circuitry  108 . In some embodiments, enclosure  103  may also include an opening for such wires. Alternatively, enclosure  103  may be positioned to form a small gap between rear wall  102   a  and enclosure  103  through which the wires may be run, or rear wall  102   a  may include a suitable opening. 
         [0032]      FIG. 7A  illustrates the underside of awning  104 . As shown, awning  104  may include one or more lights  104   a  which may illuminate enclosure  103  and base  102 . Lights  104   a  may facilitate use of station  100  at night or in dark settings. In some embodiments, lights  104   a  may be wired to battery  107 , while in other embodiments, a separate power source (e.g., a battery in awning  104  or one or more solar cells on awning  104 ) may provide power for lights  104   a.  In some embodiments, awning  104  may be equipped with solar cells for charging battery  107 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 7B  provides a rear view of station  100  to better illustrate how offset  102   a   2  can accommodate handle  105   a.  As shown, with pallet jack  105  coupled to base  102 , wheel  105   d  will be at least partially inserted into cutout  102   a   1  to thereby allow handle  105   a  to be flush against rear wall  102   a.  Due to offset  102   a   2 , at least a portion of handle  105   a  will be positioned directly between vertical arms  101   a   1 ,  101   a   2 .  FIG. 7B  also illustrates how bottom  102   d  is positioned above a bottom surface of the other components of base  102  to thereby form a gap  102   b   2  between bottom  102   d  and the surface on which station  100  is placed. The height of gap  102   b   2  can be configured such that bottom  102   d  will rest on or slightly above arms  105   b  while the bottom surface of the other components of base  102  rest on the ground/floor. In this way, the weight of station  100  can be spread around base  102  to prevent placing undue stress on bottom  102   d  during normal operation of station  100 . 
         [0034]    The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.