Tree computer kiosk system and method

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) and comprising a blunt end, 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 a frame front piece (181) disposed at said blunt end;
• wherein said frame front piece (181) comprises a centrally disposed display screen/tablet hole frame (152) defining outer boundaries of a display screen/tablet hole through said frame front piece (181);
• wherein said internal support structure (175) and said frame front piece (181) are disposed within and covered by 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 and covered by said external decorative skin (179);
• a display screen (151), that when installed behind said frame front piece (181), is mounted within a first limb stub (160), is viewable through said frame front piece (181), and is in communication with said computer processor (170);
• and a display screen support (154) attached to said internal support structure (175) and positioned to support said display screen (151), when installed, in a location viewable through said display screen/tablet hole frame (152);
• wherein:
• said display screen support (155) comprises a sliding display screen support (154) and an extension slide (153);
• said sliding display screen support (154) comprises a display screen support backing (157);
• said sliding display screen support (154) further comprises at least one perimeter stop/restraint (159) disposed along an outer portion of said display screen support backing (157);
• said display screen support backing (157) and sliding display screen support (154) together define a display screen seating area that, when said display screen (151) is installed in said display screen seating area, allows a back of said display screen (151) to rest against said sliding display screen support (154) and at least one edge of said display screen (151) to be restrained by said at least one perimeter stop/restraint (159);
• and said extension slide (153) supports said display screen support backing (157) and sliding display screen support (154) to allow said display screen support backing (157) and sliding display screen support (154) to slide out of said first limb stub (160) to receive said display screen (151) into said display screen seating area and to allow said display screen support backing (157) and sliding display screen support (154) to slide into said first limb stub (160) to allow said display screen (151), when installed to be positioned within said display screen/tablet hole frame (152) for viewing.

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 removably 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;
• a display screen support attached to said internal support structure and positioned to support said first display screen in a location viewable through said display screen/tablet hole frame;
• a resilient cushion attached to an inner surface of said display screen support upon which said first display screen, when installed, rests;
• at least one audio speaker (112) in communication with said computer processor (170) and mounted within said at least one limb (130), 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 a first one of said at least one camouflaged orifice (124, 131) is disposed within said at least one limb (130);
• and wherein said audio speaker (112) is mounted behind said first one of said at least one camouflaged orifice (124, 131);
• a camera system (180) having a camera lens;
• said camera system in communication with said computer processor (170);
• and power wiring (198) configured to carry electrical power and at least partially disposed within said interior of said internal support structure (175).