Abstract:
A computing device mounting system is described comprising a housing defining a volume and at least one throughhole extending through the housing from a first side of the housing to a second side of the housing; and at least one fastener comprising a first connection mechanism at a first end and a second connection mechanism at a second end, wherein the first connection mechanism of the at least one fastener is arranged to protrude through the at least one throughhole and interfit with a third connection mechanism of a display and wherein the second connection mechanism of the at least one fastener is arranged to interfit with a fourth connection mechanism of a mount.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Interactive units, e.g., computers, set-top boxes, and/or network-connected devices, which are connected to display devices, e.g., televisions, displays, monitors, etc., are often mounted either on a stand or as a separate unit that sits on a desktop or a tabletop. This is problematic for customers wanting to mount the television onto the wall. Mounting interactive units separately can be difficult and frustrating to customers when they want to mount the televisions and interactive units onto the wall. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0002]    The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings, wherein elements having the same reference numeral designations represent like elements throughout and wherein: 
           [0003]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a computing device connected with a display device according to an embodiment; 
           [0004]      FIG. 2  is a side view of a computing device connecting a display device and a mount of a supporting object according to an embodiment; 
           [0005]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of a computing device and fasteners according to an embodiment; 
           [0006]      FIG. 4A  is a side sectional view of a fastener according to an embodiment; 
           [0007]      FIG. 4B  is an end view of the fastener of  FIG. 4A ; 
           [0008]      FIG. 4C  is an end view of the fastener of  FIG. 4A  according to another embodiment; 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  is another perspective view of a computing device according to an embodiment; and 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  is a portion of a sectional side view according to an embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]      FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of a computing device  100 , e.g., an interactive unit, mounted on a display device  101 , e.g., a computer monitor, a television, etc. Computing device  100  mounted to display device  101  preserves the capability to mount the combined computing device  100  and display device  101  to a supporting object by connection to the rear of the computing device, e.g., using a display mount attached to a wall or other surface. Computing device  100  is mounted to display device  101  using a mounting capability of the display device. In at least one embodiment, a video electronics standards association (VESA) flat display mounting interface (FDMI) (also referred to as VESA mount) capability of display device  101  is used to mount computing device  100  on the display device and the computing device presents a VESA mounting capability at the rear of the computing device. That is, computing device  100  “passes through” the VESA mount capability of display device  101 . Computing device  100  comprises a housing and a processor in the housing. 
         [0012]    In some embodiments, computing device  100  provides user interaction capabilities to connected display device  101 . In some embodiments, computing device  100  is further communicatively connected to display device  101  via a cable  102 , e.g., an optical cable, an electrical cable, etc. In some other embodiments, computing device  100  communicatively connects wirelessly to display device  101 . Computing device  100  may provide multimedia capabilities, e.g., audio, video, and photo display, and computing and/or networking capabilities, e.g., word processing, web browsing, email interactions. 
         [0013]    Computing device  100  comprises a processing capability, e.g., via a processor or other logic device, an input mechanism, e.g., a wireless keyboard and/or mouse, and an output mechanism, e.g., audio and video ports for connection to connected display device  101 . 
         [0014]    Computing device  100  comprises a housing  103  having a rounded rectangular-shaped rear face  104  and four rectangular-shaped side walls  106  each connected to an edge of the rear face. Side walls  106  form the top, bottom, left, and right sides of housing  103 . A front face  105  of housing  103  faces a rear face  107  of display device  101 . 
         [0015]    In some embodiments, rear face  104  may be a polygonal or elliptical shape. In other embodiments, more or less than four side walls  106  may be connected to rear face  104 . In other embodiments, side walls  106  may be an extended shaped portion of rear face  104 . In still other embodiments, side walls  106  may be polygonal-shaped and/or extend angularly away from rear face  104 . In some embodiments, housing  103  is made of aluminum, e.g., die-cast aluminum. 
         [0016]    Rear face  104  further comprises a cylindrical-shaped wall  110  at each corner of the rear face. Each cylindrical-shaped wall  110  extends in a generally perpendicular direction away from rear face  104  and generally parallel to side walls  106 . Opposite edges  108  (for simplicity a single edge  108  is shown) of each side wall  106  connect to a corresponding cylindrical-shaped wall  110 . Rear face  104  in combination with side walls  106  and cylindrical-shaped walls  110  together form an open-ended box shape, e.g., an open-ended parallelepiped shape, for retaining the computing device capabilities and provide a structural configuration for mounting attached display device  101  to a supporting object, e.g., a vertical surface such as a wall having a mount, a display stand, etc. 
         [0017]    In other embodiments, walls  110  may be polygonal-shaped or elliptical-shaped and/or extend angularly away from rear face  104  at other than a perpendicular angle. In some embodiments, cylindrical-shaped walls  110  may be formed as a continuous part of housing  103 . 
         [0018]    At least one side wall  106  further comprises a surface at an angle to the face of side wall  106  to define an opening  113  for connectors, such as power, and input and output connection ports. In some embodiments, defined openings  113  for connectors may be consolidated to a single side wall  106 . In other embodiments, each side wall  106  comprises a defined opening  113 . 
         [0019]    An X-shaped section  112  of rear face  104  connects a rear-ward portion of cylindrical-shaped walls  110  at the four corners of the rear face together. In some embodiments, X-shaped section  112  may be formed as a raised portion of rear face  104 . In some embodiments, X-shaped section  112  may be a depression formed in rear face  104 . X-shaped section  112  may provide a flat region for a mounting device to contact computing device  100  during mounting of a connected computing device  100  and display device  101  to a supporting object. 
         [0020]    Housing  103  further comprises four defined throughholes  114  extending through the housing from rear face  104  and axially through cylindrical wall  110  to a front-ward portion of the housing. Throughholes  114  are each cylindrical-shaped and axially aligned with a centerline of the cylindrical walls  110  and defined by an interior face at an angle to rear face  104 . In still other embodiments, housing  103  comprises fewer or greater numbers of throughholes  114 . 
         [0021]    Each throughhole  114  receives a fastener  116  comprising a first end for connecting computing device  100  to display device  101 . Fastener  116  also comprises a second end which, with a fastener  116  inserted in a throughhole  114 , is exposed to the exterior of housing  103  for connecting computing device  100  to a supporting object. After fastener  116  attaches computing device  100  to display device  101 , the attached computing and display devices are connected to a supporting object with the second end of the fastener. A computing device mounting system comprises a computing device housing  103  and at least one fastener  116 . 
         [0022]      FIG. 2  depicts a side view of computing device  100  mounted on display device  101  and connected to a mount  200  connected to a supporting object  202 , e.g., a wall. Specifically, front face  105  of computing device  100  faces rear face  107  of display device  101  and rear face  104  faces mount  200  which is, in turn, connected to supporting object  202 . Computing device  100  is positioned between display device  101  and mount  200  connected to supporting object  202 . In some embodiments, mount  200  may be a mounting bracket or arm, a VESA mount, etc. and supporting object  202  may be a wall, a stand, a desk, etc. Mount  200  may be permanently or temporarily connected to supporting object  202  and computing device  100 . In some embodiments, computing device  100  connects directly with supporting object  202 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 3  depicts an exploded perspective view of computing device  100  and four fasteners  116  each aligned with a respective centerline of four defined throughholes  114 . Each fastener  116  comprises a first end  300  for connecting computing device  100  to display device  101  and a second end  302  for connecting the computing device to mount  200 . 
         [0024]    After insertion of fastener  116  into throughhole  114 , at least a portion of first end  300  extends beyond front face  105  of computing device  100 . In at least some embodiments, the four fasteners  116  and the four throughholes  114  are aligned parallel to each other. 
         [0025]      FIG. 4A  depicts a side sectional view of fastener  116  according to an embodiment. Fastener  116  comprises a first cylindrical-shaped portion  400  and a second cylindrical-shaped portion  402 . As depicted, second portion  402  is smaller in diameter than first portion  400 . 
         [0026]    First portion  400  comprises second end  302  comprising a mechanism for connection to mount  200 . First portion  400  comprises a first end face  404  at second end  302  of fastener  116  and a shoulder  405  adjacent second portion  402 . A first inner surface  406  connects with first end face  404  and extends inwardly at an angle from the first end face and defines a fastener opening  408  for receiving a fastener. First inner surface  406  forms a hexagonal-shaped portion ( FIG. 4B ) of fastener opening  408  in second end  302 . A second inner surface  410  extends at an angle from first inner surface  406  and further defines fastener opening  408 . 
         [0027]    In some embodiments, first inner surface  406  forms a polygonal-shaped portion of fastener opening  408 . In at least one embodiment, first inner surface  406  forms a circular-shaped portion ( FIG. 4C ) comprising a notch  418  bisecting first end face  404  for receiving a bladed screwdriver end. 
         [0028]    An inner threaded region  412  extends axially from second inner surface  410  toward first end  300 . Inner threaded region  412  is threaded to receive a threaded connection mechanism from supporting object  202 , e.g., a bolt or other threaded device from mount  200  connected to the supporting object, or from mount  200 . 
         [0029]    In some embodiments, inner threaded region  412  connects directly with first inner surface  406 . In at least one embodiment, inner threaded region  412  corresponds to a VESA mount threading, i.e., with fastener  116  attached to display device  101  by first end  300 , threaded region  412  extends an existing VESA mount capability of display device  101 . 
         [0030]    Second portion  402  connects to first portion  400  at shoulder  405  and extends axially away from second end  302 . Second portion  402  comprises a neck  414  connected to first portion  400  at shoulder  405  and an outer threaded portion  416  connected to the neck. Outer threaded portion  416  is threaded to mate with a correspondingly situated threaded receptacle of display device  101 . In some embodiments, outer threaded portion  416  connects directly with shoulder  405  without neck  414 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 5  depicts another perspective view of computing device  100 , i.e., a portion comprising front face  105  of housing  103  opposite from rear face  104 . Housing  103  comprises a cover  500  extending across the lower open portion of the housing and extending adjacent side walls  106  and shaped walls  110 . Cover  500  provides a cover for components within housing  103  interior. In some embodiments, cover  500  comprises two or more pieces. In some further embodiments, cover  500  is solid without vent openings. 
         [0032]    A retaining mechanism  503 , e.g., a screw, a bolt, a rivet, etc., retains cover  500  in place on lower portion of housing  103 . A plurality of retaining mechanisms  503  (for simplicity, a single retaining mechanism is identified) are positioned adjacent the periphery of cover  500 . In some embodiments, a single retaining mechanism  503  may retain cover  500  in place. In at least some embodiments, cover  500  is formed as an integrated portion of housing  103 . In some embodiments, cover  500  is permanently connected with side walls  106  and/or cylindrical-shaped walls  110 , e.g., by welding, joining, or other connection mechanisms. 
         [0033]    As depicted in  FIG. 5 , cylindrical-shaped wall  110  comprises an inner wall  504  and a second cylindrical-shaped wall  506  axially aligned with the cylindrical-shaped wall Second cylindrical-shaped wall  506  comprises a face  508  at the end distal from rear face  104  and at least even with a front edge  510  of cylindrical-shaped wall  110 . With fastener  116  attached to display device  101 , face  508  and/or front edge  510  may contact rear face  107  of the display device. 
         [0034]    In some embodiments, face  508  extends radially outward to front edge  510  and inner wall  504  forms the inner portion of second cylindrical-shaped wall  506 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 5  depicts second end  300  of fastener  116  extending through throughhole  114  and beyond face  508 . Second end  300  of fastener  116  comprises a connection mechanism, e.g., a threaded region, for connecting with a correspondingly situated connection mechanism, e.g., a corresponding threaded receiver, of display device  101 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 6  depicts a portion of a sectional side view of the  FIG. 2  connection of display device  101 , computing device  100 , and mount  200  taken through an axial portion of a cylindrical-shaped wall  110 . Fastener  116  is inserted into throughhole  114  and a portion of outer threaded portion  416  extends through face  508  of second cylindrical-shaped wall  506  and into a threaded connection  600  in rear face  107  of display device  101 . Front face  105  of housing  103  contacts rear face  107  at at least face  508  of second cylindrical-shaped wall  506 . In some embodiments, front edge  510  of cylindrical-shaped wall  110  contacts a portion of rear face  107 . 
         [0037]    With fastener  116  fully inserted into throughhole  114 , shoulder  405  of the fastener contacts an inner surface of face  508  of second cylindrical-shaped wall  506 . Collar  414  of fastener  116  extends through the defined opening in face  508 . Movement of outer threaded portion  416  into threaded connection  600  causes shoulder  405  to urge the inner surface of face  508  toward display device  101  and thereby urge face  508  into contact with rear face  107  of the display device. 
         [0038]    With fastener  116  fully inserted into throughhole  114 , second end  302  of the fastener receives a threaded fastener  602 , e.g., a threaded bolt, into opening  408  and into cooperation with inner threaded region  412  to connect mount  200  to computing device  100 . Mount  200 , in turn, is connected to supporting object  202 . In some embodiments, threaded fastener  602  connects supporting object  202  directly to computing device  100 . 
         [0039]    As depicted, mount  200  comprises a first inner wall  604  adjacent a rear face of the mount and defining an opening to receive threaded fastener  602 . Mount  200  further comprises a second inner wall  606  adjacent first inner wall  604  and front face  608  of the mount and defining a second opening. Second inner wall  606  forms a smaller diameter opening than first inner wall  604 . An inner face  610 , parallel with front face  608  of mount  200 , connects first inner wall  604  and second inner wall  606 . 
         [0040]    Threaded fastener  602  comprises a head portion  612  connected with a threaded portion  614 . Head portion  612  comprises a shoulder  616  at the connection of the head portion and threaded portion  614  and extending away from threaded portion  614 . As threaded fastener  602  is inserted through the first and second openings of mount  200  and into cooperation with threaded region  412 , shoulder  616  contacts inner face  610  and urges the inner face toward computing device  100  and thereby urges front face  608  of the mount into contact with rear face  104  of the computing device. In some embodiments, threaded fastener  602  may be a screw, bolt, or other connection mechanism.