Tree Computer Kiosk System and Method

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         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, and extending outwardly from, said trunk ( 140 );   a computer system ( 105 ) comprising 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; and   wherein said first limb ( 130 ) comprises a display screen/tablet support ( 155 ) that supports said first display screen ( 151 ) in a human-viewable position within said first limb ( 130 ).   
     
     
         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 , wherein said tree-shaped housing ( 101 ) comprises an exterior decorative skin ( 179 ); wherein said exterior decorative skin ( 179 ) is configured with a camouflaged orifice ( 124 ); said computer kiosk further comprising a camera system ( 180 ) in communication with said computer processor ( 170 ) and mounted within said tree-shaped housing ( 101 ); wherein said camera system ( 180 ) comprises a lens mounted at least partially behind said camouflaged orifice ( 124 ). 
     
     
         4 . The computer kiosk of  claim 1 , wherein said tree-shaped housing ( 101 ) comprises an exterior decorative skin ( 179 ); wherein said exterior decorative skin ( 179 ) is configured with multiple camouflaged orifices ( 131 ); said computer kiosk further comprising audio speakers ( 112 ) in communication with said computer processor ( 170 ) and mounted behind said multiple camouflaged orifices ( 131 ). 
     
     
         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 1 , wherein said display screen/tablet support ( 155 ) comprises a hinged tablet support ( 155 ). 
     
     
         8 . The computer kiosk of  claim 1 , wherein said display screen/tablet support ( 155 ) comprises a sliding tablet support ( 154 ). 
     
     
         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 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 said artificial knothole ( 124 ). 
     
     
         13 . The computer kiosk of  claim 1 , wherein said tree-shaped housing ( 101 ) further comprises:
 an internal support structure ( 175 ) forming an internal framework;   an external decorative tree skin ( 179 ) exterior of said internal support structure ( 175 ); and   an openable access door ( 125 ,  165 ,  191 ) that provides access to the interior of said tree-shaped housing ( 101 ); wherein said openable access door comprises a door internal support structure and an external decorative door skin ( 161 ); wherein said door skin ( 161 ) correlates with said tree skin ( 179 ).   
     
     
         14 . The computer kiosk of  claim 1 , wherein said tree-shaped housing ( 101 ) further comprises:
 an internal support structure ( 175 ) forming an internal framework;   multiple artificial leaves ( 127 );   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 ).   
     
     
         15 . The computer kiosk of  claim 14 , wherein said multiple artificial leaves ( 127 ) have an appearance of natural leaves. 
     
     
         16 . The computer kiosk of  claim 14 , wherein said multiple artificial leaves ( 127 ) comprise fanciful leaves. 
     
     
         17 . 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 );   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 ( 154 ) 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 );   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 ); and   power wiring ( 198 ) configured to carry electrical power and at least partially disposed within said interior of said internal support structure ( 175 ).   
     
     
         18 . The computer kiosk of  claim 17 , further comprising an openable access door ( 125 ,  165 ,  191 ) that provides access to said audio speaker ( 112 ); wherein said audio speaker ( 12 ) is mounted behind a first one of said at least one camouflaged orifice ( 124 ,  131 );
 and wherein a second one of at least one camouflaged orifice ( 124 ,  131 ) comprises an artificial knothole ( 124 ) defined by edges ( 122 ); and wherein said camera lens is disposed behind and in alignment with said artificial knothole ( 124 ).   
     
     
         19 . 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 );   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;   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 a first one of said at least one camouflaged orifice ( 124 ,  131 );   least one audio speaker ( 112 ) in communication with said computer processor ( 170 ) and mounted within said tree-shaped housing ( 101 );   a camera system ( 180 ) having a camera lens; said camera system in communication with said computer processor ( 170 ); wherein a second one of said at least one camouflaged orifice ( 124 ,  131 ) comprises an artificial knothole ( 124 ) defined by edges ( 122 ); and wherein said camera lens is disposed behind and in alignment with said artificial knothole ( 124 ); and   power wiring ( 198 ) configured to carry electrical power and at least partially disposed within said interior of said internal support structure ( 175 ).   
     
     
         20 . The computer kiosk of  claim 19 , wherein said first display screen ( 151 ) and said computer processor ( 170 ) are integrated into a tablet computer ( 150 ).