The present invention relates to a computer case for a small form factor computer with ergonomically placed connectors, ports and sockets for accessing peripherals that may be used for a small desktop computer which is attached to a monitor, a data network, keyboard, mouse and other peripherals.

There are many known small computer cases without a built-in screen, a category which includes those used as "thin client" or "zero client", game consoles, TV set-top boxes, devices for streaming video content, etc. which are usually placed on a desk or work table near the monitor or TV screen. Monitor, keyboard, mouse, headset or speakers and other peripherals are connected to the computer via cables alongside additional network and power cables. A computer, no matter how small, with all the necessary cables connected has the disadvantage that occupies too much space on the desk and looks unsightly and if the electrical power transformer is placed too close to the central processing unit that fact hinders the cooling.

Korean patent KR20050024893 (A) (UFOSYS CO LTD) March 11th 2005 (11.03.2005) "Device for collectively connecting computer peripherals using monitor connector, distributor, and integrated cable" describes an assembly of connectors joined with the video connector that allows user an easier access to the various computer ports, but without eliminating the need to locate the computer somewhere like on the desk or floor where it keeps occupying space.

The Chip PC company produces small size Jack PC computers < URL:

http://www.chippc.com/products/jack-pc-lxj/ > which can be fitted into network socket slots. Although the need for cables to be visually exposed disappears because some cables such as network and power cables are hidden inside the wall, this product may only be installed by specialists in an infrastructure specifically designed for such a purpose.

Company Globalscale Technologies Inc. manufactures computers SheevaPlug <URL:

https://www.globalscaletechnologies.com t-sheevaplugs.aspx> GuruPlug <URL:

http://www.globalscaletechnologies.com/t-guruplugdetails. aspx> and DreamPlug <URL: http://www.globalscaletechj ologies.com/t-dream equipped with a built-in connector for the power outlet. The downside of this product is that the power outlet location places it far from the user to whom it becomes difficult to attach peripherals (mouse, keyboard, monitor cable, headphones, microphone, etc.) which is why these products are not promoted to be used as desktop computers.

A set of devices generically called HDMI Dongles are small computers placed in a case that exposes an HDMI connector that can be plugged directly into an HDMI receptacle available in some TV sets. The main advantages of such a device is that it eliminates the video cable that connects computer to the TV set and the computer does not occupy any desk space but is attached at the back of the TV set. Such a device, however, is inadequate for usage as a desktop PC connected to the monitor and many other peripherals. HDMI ports are not always available in most of the monitors and even where available they do not clamp the connector that may be easily extracted, even accidentally, a major drawback in a classroom or a workplace. Due to fragile construction of the HDMI sockets the devices inserted there must be very light, a disadvantage that does not allow some more powerful and complex computers to be inserted directly into an HDMI socket.

The purpose of the present invention is to reduce the number of cables used to connect the monitor and other peripherals to a computer. An objective of the present invention is releasing space occupied by the computer on a desk or on the floor. Another objective of the invention is to reduce the number of contacts which involve plugs and connectors made between the computer and other peripherals. An important goal also is to reduce the size and weight of the computer.

According to embodiments of this invention the computer case overcomes the mentioned disadvantages, in that it exposes through the case a video plug that can be fixed in one of the video sockets of the monitor without a need of an extra cable. Video outlets of various types like Video Graphics Array (VGI), Digital Visual Interface (DVI) or DisplayPort are provided with mechanisms for fastening cables by means of screws or clips which are robust enough to support a small suspended computer. The case and the plug form a single body. The electronic components of the video plug are connected to the computer inside the case in the same way as a video socket is connected to any computer. This way the video connection between computer and monitor is used for both data transmission as well as a clamping system between the computer and the monitor. Such a case with a computer inside is similar to an HDMI dongle, but instead of an HDMI plug it exposes a VGA, DVI or DisplayPort plug. Unlike an HDMI dongle a case clamped in a VGI, DVI or DisplayPort socket using all the available means, screws and fasteners, may hold a much heavier computer with more ports for peripherals and cannot be accidentally detached from the monitor. The video plug might swivel around one axis in a way similar to many pivoting adaptors for video connectors which are known.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the computer case incorporates an electric power such as the end of the cable that goes into the case to power the computer is clamped to the case. The clamping may be performed by various means like gluing, pressing, gripping, etc, in a way similar to how an end of a power cable is connected to the power plug. The other end of the power cable is clamped into the case of a transformer with attached power plug. In this embodiment the computer case lacks a special hole for the power socket because the electric power is supplied through the incorporated electric cable. In many existing devices a computer placed in a case, a single object, is often powered through a socket by a charger that comprises a power plug, a transformer and a cable with a connector, another separate object. In this embodiment we get a fusion between the computer case and the charger, the charger becomes an extension of the case. Accordingly, the term case refers to the entire assembly composed of the computer case and the charger incorporated into that case.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the computer case can exhibit a network socket at the end of a cable which is clamped to the case and connected to the computer. Clamping can be performed in a way similar to the power cord. The two cables, for power and data transmission, may be joined in such a way that at least visually to form a single cable. The two cables can also be wrapped in a single envelope. When the electric cable end exhibits a transformer then the end of the data cable can exhibit an outlet encased in the transformer's case. This way an assembly is achieved comprising two components connected by a cable where at one end of the cable is located the computer and at the other end is located the network socket, the transformer and the power plug. Accordingly, the term case refers to the entire assembly composed of the computer case, the electric cable and the data cable incorporated into that case, together with the transformer case to which a data socket and a power plug is attached. In this embodiment the computer case does not need a dedicated opening for the data network socket because the network connection is achieved through the socket exposed on the transformer case. In this way the data network socket is transferred from the computer case to the transformer case, which allows the computer case which is attached through video plug (VGA, DVI, DisplayPort) to the monitor to become smaller and more lightweight.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the computer case can expose audio sockets IN (microphone) and OUT (speaker) encased into transformer's case alongside data socket if one exists and in a similar way. These sockets must be connected to computer audio circuits through electrically isolated wires. The wires through which the audio signal travels between the computer and the sockets can be joined with the power and the data cables and wrapped in the same envelope. This creates an assembly of two parts connected by a cable where at the one end of the cable is the computer and on the other end is a set of audio sockets alongside network socket, transformer and a power plug.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the computer case can exhibit sockets for Universal Serial Bus (USB) protocol encased into transformer's case next to network socket if it exists and connected to the electronic components of the computer by a dedicated cable which in turn may be joined with power cable and data cable and wrapped together in an envelope. This creates an assembly of two parts connected by a cable where at one end of the cable is the computer and at the other end are the transformer, power plug and a set of USB sockets in addition to other possible outlets.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the computer case can exhibit a slot used by some anti-theft devices, such as "Kensington Security Slot" or the like, which may be incorporated in the transformer case if it is firmly attached to the computer through a cable. Accordingly, the term case refers to the entire assembly composed of the computer case, the electric cable, the data cable and the USB cable incorporated into that case, an envelope which wraps all the cables, together with the transformer's case to which a power plug and the data, USB, audio sockets are attached and which exhibits the slot used by anti-theft devices, because together they form a single object. According to an embodiment of the invention, the computer case may exhibit a type B USB connector at the end of a relatively short cable clamped into the computer case whose electronic components are connected to the computer. This cable may be clamped in the same way as the power cable but it should not be joined with the power cable as it should be easily plugged into the type B USB socket exposed by multiple monitors for multiplexing the USB connection.

The computer case with ergonomically placed connectors, ports and sockets for accessing peripherals, according to the invention, has the following advantages:

- It eliminates the need for a video cable between the computer and the monitor.

- Case can be miniaturized much more because there are far fewer outlets that need to be exposed than for other computer cases with similar functionality.

- The computer does not occupy any desk space but is suspended behind the monitor or TV set.

- By using VGA, DVI or DisplayPort sockets a more robust fastening to the monitor is ensured.

- If the power cable and the data network cable or the audio sockets are firmly attached to the body of the case and data sockets and audio sockets are encased in the transformer case the computer case can be miniaturized even more because it does not need to expose voluminous data network sockets and power sockets and the data network socket position is closer to the power outlets and office network cables, which are often located near electrical outlets.

- The location of the hole for anti-theft system in transformer case brings some significant advantages. Firstly the computer case can be further miniaturized and secondly the number of cables visible above the desk is reduced.

- A computer case that exposes a swivel video connector can be easily connected to any monitor or TV without taking up too much space behind it.

- Packaging and delivery of computers embedded in such cases are simpler and cheaper than for models currently on the market because there are fewer cables required to be delivered.

- Dissipation of heat generated by electrical and electronic components is better than when the computer has an incorporated electrical connector and is plugged directly into the electrical outlet since, according to an embodiment of the invention, the transformer that produces heat and electronic components are located at opposite ends of a cable thus at a significant distance from each other, which enables a better cooling.

The following five embodiments of the invention are in connection with Figures 1 ... 7 which show:

- Figure 1 A, a view of a computer case with a video connector built into the case so that it can be connected directly to the monitor DVI socket.

- Figure IB, a view from the opposite side of the Figure 1 A computer case.

- Figure 2, an exploded view of the computer case of Figures 1 A and IB with a computer inside.

- Figure 3, a view of a computer case similar to that in Figures 1 A and IB which exhibits a power cable directly attached to the computer case that has at the other end a transformer and a plug.

- Figure 4, a computer case similar to that of Figure 3, which exhibits a Type B USB cable directly incorporated into the computer case.

- Figure 5, a view of a computer case similar to that in Figure 3 that can be connected directly to the monitor's DisplayPort socket.

- Figure 6A, a view of a computer case similar to that of Figure 1 whose DVI video connector pivots around an axis, which allows a better positioning when the video socket is oriented horizontally.

- Figure 6B, a view of the same case as in 6A but with a different orientation of the swiveling video plug.

- Figure 7, a view of a computer case similar to that of Figure 5 which has in the transformer case incased a data network socket, two audio ports IN and OUT and a port for coaxial cable.

Example 1

The computer case with ergonomically placed connectors, ports and sockets for accessing peripherals, according to the invention, exhibits a video connector 1 built into a case 2 so that it can be mounted into the video socket of a monitor and secured by screws 3. The case 2 contains a computer A that exhibits an electrical supply outlet 4, data network socket 5, which in Figure 1 is RJ45 but may be of any other type, two USB type A sockets 6, a Micro USB socket 7. Case 2 also contains a power indicator lamp 8 and a network data connection indicator lamp 9, an audio jack 10 IN and an audio jack 11 OUT. It can be easily seen that such a computer can be mounted using its video connector into the monitor and will be suspended behind the monitor without taking up space on the desk. In this embodiment the case 2 may contain an integrated circuitry whose role is to act as a "Zero Client", i.e. to achieve transposition of graphical user interface from a computer in a network to the monitor to which this case is connected. If electricity consumption is small enough the computer may be powered through the network socket via "Power over Ethernet" system which allows the transfer of electric current through the data network infrastructure, eliminating the need for a dedicated power cable .

Example 2

In connection with Figure 3 a computer case similar to one in Figures 1 A and IB that does not contain a power outlet but instead is powered through an electric cable 12 which is clamped to the computer case, without any plug or connector, and the other end has a transformer case 13 and a plug 14. Figure 5 represents a similar computer case except that its video connector 15 is of type DisplayPort which is fixed to the video outlet of the monitor by a fastening system which does not include screws. To connect a second monitor the case exhibits a video outlet 16 of type DisplayPort that can accept a video cable with a proper connector. A hole 17 for Kensington Security Slot anti-theft system is placed in the transformer case 13. The anti-theft lock can be plugged into this hole. As a safety measure the cable that links transformer to computer A may contain a wire made of a material highly resistant to cutting. Resistant material can also be used for the cover that will wrap all of the cables.

Example 3

In the Figure 4 is shown a computer similar to one in the previous example that exposes the extra cable 18 with USB type B plug 19 firmly attached to the case 2. The type B USB plug will be inserted into the appropriate socket in the monitor to relay and multiply USB connection. USB connector type B exposure leads to elimination of the need for USB type A sockets in the computer case, thereby reducing the volume of the case. Example 4

Some monitors expose video outlets directed horizontally while others expose video outlets facing down. In order for a computer with a connector incorporated into the case to be securely attached to both models it is possible to provide a configurations shown in Figures 6A and 6B where video connector 1 of type DVI swivels in relation to the case 2 by means of a swivel system 20 that can be found in many video adapters on the market.

Example 5

Figure 7 depicts an example of a computer case where a data network socket 21 is positioned in transformer case 13. The data network socket 21 communicates to the computer through a data cable wrapped with the same cover as the electrical cable 12 or by using an electronic circuit built into the transformer case which allows digital signals to be transmitted through the power cable. Transmission of data through the power cable is widely used in many existing equipment and systems today. An audio plug 22 IN and an audio plug 23 OUT are also mounted in the transformer case 13 and connected to the computer through wires that are wrapped in the same cover as electric cable 12. A coaxial cable outlet 24 is exposed in the transformer case 13. The analog signal that reaches the outlet can be digitized by a modem built on the same case and passed on, as a digital signal, to the computer via a dedicated cable adjacent to the power cable or through the power cable itself. The signal can also be sent in analog form via a dedicated cable or through the power cable. The mode of transmission of data and signals between the outlets mounted in transformer case and the computer A are not the subject of this invention. A USB type A port 25 is placed in the transformer case 13. This port is connected to the computer A via a cable wrapped in the same cover as the power cable 12. Digital content of the USB connection can also be transmitted to the computer through the power cable using a special circuit and not necessarily through a dedicated USB cable. Such a USB port can be used by a printer or other device connected via USB. A power plug 26 to the power grid can be used, in a compatible electrical network, for a firmer fixing and grounding functionality it offers.