Reconfigurable User Input/Output Device

Abstract

A readily reconfigurable self-contained self-service user input/output including an input/output assembly accessible by a user, the assembly being readily configurable to be used in more than one type of user configuration or application and at least one peripheral device removably secured in a desired position about the periphery of the assembly.

1 . A readily reconfigurable self-contained self-service user input/output device comprising:
 an input/output assembly accessible by a user, the assembly being readily configurable to be used in more than one type of user configuration or application; and   at least one peripheral device removably secured in a desired position about the periphery of the assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the assembly can be readily configured to at least be used in either a wall mount application, a ceiling mount application, table top application or rolling cart application. 
     
     
         3 . The device as defined in  claim 1 , including a wireless communication mechanism for connecting the device to at least one other device or system. 
     
     
         4 . The device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one peripheral device can be removably secured in more than one position about the periphery of the assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The device as defined in  claim 1 , including a plurality of peripheral devices wherein each peripheral device can be readily positioned at more than one position about the periphery of the assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The device as defined in  claim 1 , including a plurality of peripheral devices removably secured about the periphery of the assembly wherein each peripheral device can readily be interchanged with a replacement of the same device or another peripheral device as desired. 
     
     
         7 . The device as defined in  claim 1 , including electronic signage in operable communication with the assembly to at least provide a variety of messages. 
     
     
         8 . The device as defined in  claim 7 , including two processors, at least one processor in operable communication with the electronic signage. 
     
     
         9 . The device as defined in  claim 1 , including a pedestal for attaching to and positioning the assembly in a freestanding application. 
     
     
         10 . The device as defined in  claim 9 , including a printer secured within the confines of the pedestal. 
     
     
         11 . The device as defined in  claim 10 , wherein the printer is capable of confidentially providing a printout to the patient 
     
     
         12 . The device as defined in  claim 10 , wherein the printer is a printer module releasably secured within the confines of the pedestal and readily can be removed by a customer and replaced with another printer module as desired. 
     
     
         13 . The device as defined in  claim 10 , wherein the printer provides a print-out that is pulled back within the printer if the print-out is not removed within a predetermined time interval. 
     
     
         14 . The device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the peripheral device is selected from the group at least consisting of a card reader, a biometric identification device, a scanner, a handprint scanner, a headphone jack, a microphone jack, a proximity sensor, a camera, at least one speaker, at least one device input port, a keyboard, a stylus, a stylus pad, a cup holder, at least one privacy shield, a pin pad, a wireless transmitter, a printer, a wristband printer, a thermometer, a blood pressure device, and a pulse meter. 
     
     
         15 . The device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the assembly includes a touch screen. 
     
     
         16 . The device as defined in  claim 15 , wherein the touch screen is substantially rectangular and the assembly further is reconfigurable so that the touch screen readily can be positioned in either a portrait or landscape position. 
     
     
         17 . The device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the peripheral device automatically captures at least one vital sign without contacting a user. 
     
     
         18 . The device as defined in  claim 17 , wherein the peripheral device captures at least one of core temperature, pulse rate or respiratory rate of the user. 
     
     
         19 . The device as defined in  claim 17 , wherein the peripheral device is an infrared sensor. 
     
     
         20 . The device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one peripheral device is a proximity sensor to determine when a user no longer is in front of the device and prevent any information from being conveyed. 
     
     
         21 . The device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein all necessary wiring or other types of connections are completely contained with the device and inaccessible from the exterior of the device and any necessary ports are also concealed and inaccessible from the exterior of the device.