Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electronic systems and devices
Reexamination Certificate
2002-03-06
2004-06-29
Lea-Edmonds, Lisa (Department: 2835)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electronic systems and devices
C361S689000, C349S058000, C345S905000, C235S472010, CD14S344000, CD14S389000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06757156
ABSTRACT:
INVENTION
The invention is directed to a method of design of hand held or otherwise hand supported computer displays and integrated tablet style computers, wherein the housing of the display itself is designed to maximize the ergonomic nature of the device and to distribute mass closest to hand holding the device in such a way as to minimize inertial affects from moving the display and carrying it over extended periods of time.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Wearable or user-supported personal computers are known in the art and are becoming increasingly pervasive. Examples of user-supported personal computers include U.S. Pat. No. 5,305,244 (Newman I) which discloses a voice-activated, user-supported computer (mobile computer) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,844,824 (Newman II) which discloses a body-worn, hands-free computer system that does not rely upon keyboard input or activation apparatus, both commonly assigned to Xybernaut Corporation of Fairfax, Va. The disclosures of these two commonly owned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,305,244 and 5,844,824 are hereby incorporated by reference into this disclosure. For the purposes of this disclosure and claims the term “wearable computer” will be taken to mean a computer such as is disclosed in these two patents or a suitable analogous user supported computer disclosed elsewhere. These computers are typically contained within a single housing which usually connects to an external display. All other essential non-redundant computer components are contained within the single enclosure. A connector port is usually disposed on at least one face of the enclosure with various connectors for external input and output devices. The computer casing is also designed with attachment means such as belt loop bracket or clip so that the casing may be easily attached to the body of a user or otherwise supported by a user.
Also disclosing wearable computers are U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,285,398 (Janik I), U.S. Pat. No. 5,491,651 (Janik II), U.S. Pat. No. 5,581,492 (Janik III), U.S. Pat. No. 5,798,907 (Janik IV), U.S. Pat. No. 5,555,490 (Carroll I) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,572,401 (Carroll II). Each Janik patent discloses a belt computer containing the elements or components of a computer. For example, in Janik I, the plurality of computing elements are located on the belt and a flexible signal relaying means connects all of the elements for computing. A protective covering is used for enclosing said computer elements. In Janik II, a similar belt computer is described and claimed in which the signal relaying means, the length of which between any two computing elements, is greater than the length of the wearable member between any two computing elements. In each Janik patent, the flexible wearable computer is in the form of a relatively heavy belt comprising around its periphery sequentially positioned computer elements.
Both Carroll I and Carroll II disclose a wearable support and interconnection structure for a modular microcomputer system having a plurality of microcomputer cards housed in a plurality of microcomputer card pockets in a wearable garment. Examples of such garments include a pliable garment worn over the torso of the user (vest), a cap that fits snugly on user's head or in the form of a belt. In one embodiment, the pockets are linked by a plurality of channels extending from pocket to pocket that secure an electronic linking system to the wearable garment. The linking system includes a plurality of flat flexible cables encasing flexible circuitry and microcomputer card connectors. A card connector opens into each pocket to receive a microcomputer card. Each connector is operable, coupled to the cables such that when microcomputer cards are placed in the connectors and provided with power, an operational microcomputer system is created.
Also known in the prior art are pen tablet style computers, which are keyboardless flat panel screens with integral computer hardware and power supply. Such computers are for use by mobile workers and typically are activated by a pen stylus, voice, external mouse, or other activation device. Lucente et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,432,720 (herein after Lucente) teaches such a pen based computer. The system of Lucente includes a housing and inetegral flat panel display. It further includes a switch which enables left handed and right handed use as well as portrait and landscape viewing perspectives. The switch allows the use to re-orient the output on the display screen such that it is always vertically oriented to the vertical midline plane of the user's body.
Lucente does not however, teach any design features that make the pen-based computer particularly ergonomic or comfortable for the user, but rather is directed at making the device more convenient. The distinction between comfort and convenience is that the former gets at the actual experience of the user when using the device while the latter addresses the flexibility or plurality of modes of use of the device.
Still further known in the prior art are tablet style computers that are designed for both desktop and hand-held use. Engstrom et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,611,406 (hereinafter Engstrom) teaches such a multi-purpose tablet style device. The device of Engstrom, a graphics tablet input device, has a switching function for right and left-hand use by an operator. It also contains features such as a stylus that is removably storable within the case, elevation adjustment means by which an operator may adjust the angular attitude of the case with respect to a work surface. Another feature of Engstrom is the provision of gripping means on the underside of the case to facilitate hand-held operation of the graphic input tablet by an operator. Therefore Engstrom may alternative used as a hand-held device or as a desktop device with means for adjusting the viewing angle. However, except for the provision of handgrips, Engstrom fails to teach any features that truly make the device more comfortable for the user to use.
Another ergonomic display type known in the prior art is that of Kato et al, U.S. Pat. No. 6,297,795 (hereinafter Kato). Kato teaches a hand held information processing apparatus having an integral display screen and adapted to be held in the hand of a user and for displaying data in a portrait or landscape mode. The hand held device has a rotary switch disposed on one corner, at a position natural to be accessed by a person's thumb while holding the device. Rotation of the rotary switch permits the change of perspective from portrait to landscape and from left-handed to right-handed use. However, the design of the apparatus of Kato is a miniature screen such that the entire device fits in a single hand such as the PALM PILOT device manufactured and sold by Palm Corporation of Santa Clara, Calif. Kato does not teach ergonomic design of a hand held display device wherein the device is much larger than a user's hand therefore requiring various ergonomic features to enhance usability and comfort. While these palm type computers have enjoyed immense popularity, their relative small displays, low display resolution and limited processing capability have prevented their use by those who need access to rigorous computing applications.
Kim, U.S. Pat. No. 6,304,431 teaches a detachable display for a portable computer. The portable computer system of Kim includes a hinge system and video cable that allows the display to be offset from the computer while the computer is resting on a surface. When the user is finished the hinges are retracted and the computer is closed like a clamshell. Kim, however, does not teach a computer system that is designed to be used and held at the same time.
Therefore, there is a need for an ergonomic hand held flat panel display that incorporates certain ergonomic features into its design.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a novel hand held computer display devoid of the above noted disadvantages of the prior art.
It is another object of the present invention to create a novel hand held computer dis
Adams Michael D.
Gibby Garth
Heyman Martin D.
Olson Mark H.
Rhoades Matthew A.
Christ Tucker, Patent Agent
Lea-Edmonds Lisa
Ralabate, Esq James J.
Xybernaut Corporation
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