Student smart desk and impromptu shielding system

Abstract

A smart desk and barricade provide ad-hoc protection during emergencies and an augmented presentation environment. A first desk tabletop includes a connection positioned on an underside of the first desk tabletop, that is configured for detachable coupling to a desk frame. Removal of the tabletop from the desk frame provides a shield. An interlocking element is positioned on one or more edges of the first desk tabletop. The interlocking element is configured to temporarily connect to an edge of a second desk tabletop. A temporary attachment of the first desk tabletop to the second desk tabletop forms a barricade system. In some embodiments, a computing device is integrated into the desk tabletop. A smart room environment may network the desk with integrated computing device to other computing devices in the room.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A smart desk apparatus, comprising:
 a frame;   a seat coupled to the frame;   a desk tabletop coupled to the frame;   a computing system integrated into a body of the desk tabletop, wherein the computing system includes a central processing unit (CPU) and a system memory; and   a digital display area coupled to the computing system and disposed to show content on or through a top layer of the desk tabletop.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a wireless telecommunications unit coupled to the CPU. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a communication port integrated into the desk tabletop, wherein the communication port is connected to the computing device. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a tactile response module coupled to the digital display area. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an electronic pen recognition system coupled to the digital display area. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a virtual keyboard in the digital display area. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a camera integrated into the desk tabletop and coupled to the CPU. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a user interface area in the digital display area. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the user interface area may flip from display through the top layer of the desk tabletop to display out through a rear surface of the desk tabletop. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the desk tabletop is detachable from the frame. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the desk tabletop comprises a bullet resistant or bullet-proof material. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the desk tabletop comprises plexiglass or polycarbonate. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a quick-release clip on an underside of the desk tabletop. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more handles positioned on an underside of the desk tabletop. 
     
     
         15 . A system, comprising:
 a primary computing device;   a smart board, including a smart board display, wherein the smart board is connected to the primary computing device and configured to display content via input from the primary computing device;   a plurality of smart desks electronically connected to the smartboard, wherein the smart desks include:
 a frame; 
 a seat coupled to the frame; 
 a desk tabletop coupled to the frame; 
 a secondary computing system integrated into a body of the desk tabletop, wherein the secondary computing system includes a central processing unit (CPU) and a system memory; 
 a digital display area coupled to the secondary computing system and disposed to show content on or through a top layer of the desk tabletop; and 
 a communications module configured to communicate with the smart board. 
   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the smart desks are configured to display content from individual digital display areas onto the smart board display, via input through the communications module. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the smart desks are configured to mirror subject matter displayed on the smart board display, onto individual smart desk digital display areas. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein:
 a first of the smart desks is configured to communicate to a second of the smart desks; and   content displayed on the first smart desk is cooperatively shared with content displayed on the second of the smart desks.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a first interlocking element on a first of the smart desks; and   a second interlocking element on a second of the smart desks, wherein the first interlocking element is configured to mate with the second interlocking element and connect the first of the smart desks to the second of the smart desks.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 a first I/O port coupled to the first interlocking element; and   a second I/O port coupled to the second interlocking element, and disposed to connect with the first I/O port when the first interlocking element is mated with the second interlocking element.