Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electronic systems and devices
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-01
2001-10-23
Gaffin, Jeffrey (Department: 2841)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electronic systems and devices
C361S748000, C361S689000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06307751
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the art of flexible circuit assemblies. More particularly, the present invention relates to a flexible circuit capable of operating as a wearable computer.
2. Related Art
A combination of a circuit and a display screen is commonly used for storing and displaying information to a user. Example circuit/display combinations include personal computers, calculators, and pocket organizers. In these devices the circuitry and display screens are typically encapsulated in rigid plastic casings. These casings are to protect the circuitry and screen, both of which are typically made of non-flexible materials. For example, computer components and their associated circuits are usually placed on a hard-plastic “mother board.” The plastic of the mother board does not allow for significant flexibility and will snap if a sufficient amount of torque is applied to it. Display screens are also typically made of non-flexible glass and exhibit similar properties. These properties limit devices that are made from these components, from being operable in real-world environments, such as pockets and purses, where if not protected by a hard casing, the devices may break when sat upon or dropped.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one embodiment, a sealed flexible circuit is disclosed. The flexible circuit includes at least one layer of flexible substrate, and conductive material deposited on the at least one layer of flexible substrate. The flexible circuit also includes a plurality of components, fixedly attached to the flexible substrate and electrically interconnected by the conductive material, and a flexible display screen attached to the at least one layer of flexible substrate and electrically coupled to at least one of the plurality of components.
In another embodiment a flexible computing device is disclosed. The flexible computing device includes a flexible substrate including a plurality of flexible layers, each layer being fixedly bonded to each adjacent layer such that when the flexible computing device is flexed, the plurality of layers act as a unitary member, the plurality of layers including a top layer. The flexible computing device also includes conductive material disposed on at least one of the plurality of layers, and a plurality of components, some of which are fixedly attached the top layer of flexible substrate, each component being electrically coupled to at least one other component by the conductive material. The flexible computing device also includes a flexible display screen attached to the top layer of the flexible substrate and electrically coupled to at least one of the plurality of components by a portion of the conductive material.
All of the various embodiments may be integrated into and operable in a flexible assembly such as a wallet or a wristband.
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Bodony Lawrence A.
Bryan Richard
Tseng Jack W.
Gaffin Jeffrey
Tran Thanh Y.
WearLogic, Inc.
Wolf Greenfield & Sacks
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