Monitor Minicomputer Retrofit Using Raspberry Pi
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost and expense of providing desktop computers to employees working from home or within companies for remote access to computer systems, along with the significant running costs, necessitate a low-cost alternative for accessing and communicating with remote computer systems.
Innovation Solution
A method to configure a computer monitor as a minicomputer by mounting a microcomputer board on a component tray within the monitor's housing, enabling wireless communication with keyboards and mice, and connecting to remote computers via various protocols, using a microcomputer board such as Raspberry Pi, which communicates over Wi-Fi or other networks, and utilizes a Micro SD Card for storage and communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If desktop computers are provided to employees for remote access, then access capability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive desktop computers with inexpensive minicomputers that can be disposed of or replaced easily. Each minicomputer costs a fraction of a desktop computer, enabling companies to provide remote access capabilities to many employees without prohibitive expense.
Solution Approach 2:
The minicomputer is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides remote access to company systems, serves as a local computing device, and can be configured with various communication protocols. This multi-functionality replaces the need for separate desktop computers and communication equipment.
2Ease of operation
If desktop computers are provided to employees within companies, then communication capability is improved, but running costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The minicomputer consumes significantly less power than a desktop computer, reducing electricity costs. The low power consumption enables deployment in large numbers without prohibitive operational expenses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the power consumption parameter by using energy-efficient components and architecture in the minicomputer, achieving full communication functionality at a fraction of the power cost of traditional desktop computers.
3Device complexity
If microcomputer board is mounted on component tray, then device complexity is reduced, but port accessibility may be worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the port accessibility issue by moving ports from the front face to the rear face of the monitor housing, utilizing the depth dimension. This allows the microcomputer board to be mounted on the component tray while ports remain accessible through the rear opening.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making ports accessible from the front, the patent inverts the approach by providing access from the rear of the monitor, which simplifies the internal mounting structure while maintaining full functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A minicomputer (1) comprises a computer monitor (2) configured from a computer monitor (3) by mounting a microcomputer device (25) and a power supply (35) for powering the microcomputer device (25) on a component tray (10) secured to a screen support housing (7) of the computer monitor (3). The microcomputer device (25) comprises a microcomputer board sold under the trade name Raspberry Pi. The microcomputer device (25) is configured to communicate wirelessly with a remote computer with a keyboard (4) and with a mouse (5), and to control a visual display screen (6) of the computer monitor (2) through a screen controller (18), also located on the component tray (10). A card receiving slot (39) of the microcomputer device (25) is accessed through a card accommodating opening (38) formed in the component tray (10) and through a card access opening (42) formed in a rear wall (12) of a rear housing (8) of the computer monitor (3). The card receiving slot (39) of the microcomputer device (25) is configured to receive a Micro SD Card (40), which acts as a hard drive of the microcomputer device (25), for selecting the communications mode and the communications protocol with which the microcomputer device (25) is to communicate with the remote computer.