Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – Frame
Reexamination Certificate
1998-06-05
2001-10-16
Picard, Leo P. (Department: 2835)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
Frame
C361S689000, C361S689000, C361S689000, C361S689000, C361S689000, C361S730000, 36, 36, 36, 36, C312S208400, C345S182000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06304459
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is known that various embodiments of computers may be worn and operated in a hands-free manner. A feature of these prior art computers is that they permit the user to have freedom to use his or her hands for repairing or other functions while using a fully functional computer. One of the most commercially successful and well known of these computers is the Mobile Assistant® available from Xybernaut Corporation of Fairfax, Va. Mobile Assistant® is a registered trademark of Xybemaut Corporation (formerly Computer Products & Services, Inc.).
U.S. Pat. No. 5,305,244 (Newman, et al.) describes the details of the Mobile Assistant® and fully discloses the components and function of such user-supported computers. Also, co-pending patent application Ser. No. 08/538,194 describes and claims further improvements and modifications to the Mobile Assistant®. Both U.S. Pat. No. 5,305,244 and Ser. No. 08/538,194 are owned by the assignee of the present application. Also describing wearable computers are U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,285,398 (Janik I) and 5,491,651 (Janik II). Both of these patents disclose a belt computer containing the elements or components of a computer. 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 both Janik I and Janik TI the flexible wearable computer is in the form of a belt comprising around its periphery sequentially positioned computer elements.
Also in the prior art, PCMCIA cards extend out from the main frame of the computer housing and are often damaged. This is quite frequently the case in mobile body-worn computers where movement of the user is frequent and sometimes extreme.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a computer structure devoid of the above-noted disadvantages.
A further object of this invention is to provide a novel heat sink stricture and compositions for use in a body-worn computer to disperse heat from the interior of the computer.
Another object of this invention is to provide a computer stricture having a housing containing a PC card substantially weather-proof compartment that houses substantially the entire PC card when in use.
Still a further object of this invention is to provide a computer structure having recessed or offset connector means for connection of peripherals thereto.
Yet a further object of this invention is to provide a compartment for a removable hard drive in a reversible mobile computer.
Still a further object of this invention is to provide a mobile computer that optionally has means for communicating with other means using infrared technology.
Another object of this invention is to provide a computer structure that can be used as both a mobile computer and a stand-alone or desktop computer.
A further object of this invention is to provide a computer structure that when worn can be used interchangeably on the right or left side of a user.
A still further object of this invention is to provide a mobile computer structure that can be worn on any portion of the body in a hands-free manner.
Another still further object of this invention is to provide a mobile computer having outlets or other means to connect onto or to be compatible with components of a stand alone, laptop or desktop computer.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide a computer structure that contains in a single housing substantially all of the components needed in a general purpose or conventional computer, including but not limited to, input/output means, processor means and storage means.
Other objects will become apparent upon a further reading of this disclosure.
The above objects and others are accomplished, generally speaking, by providing a mobile, body-worn computer comprising a computer housing, activating means, means for attaching said computer housing to a user, said computer housing comprising substantially all of the components of a conventional computer, said housing comprising at least one of the following:
A. an offset peripheral connector means recessed from a rear terminal portion of said computer housing;
B. a PC card housing having means to contain substantially an entire PC card when contained therein;
C. a compartment for housing a removable hard drive; and
D. an opening for internal connection to an IrDA transceiver.
A mobile body-worn computer of this invention comprises a computer housing, hands-free activation means and means for attaching the computer housing to a user. The computer housing comprises substantially all of the components of a conventional computer with a computer housing having front, back, top, bottom and side sections. The back section has means for attachment of cables and the front, back, top and side sections are constructed substantially of a heat conducting and dissipating material whereas the bottom section is constructed substantially of a heat insulating material. When this computer is worn the bottom section is located adjacent a user's body. The problems faced with mobile, body-worn computers are completely different than those of stationary or laptop computers. Most importantly, substantial heat is generated by the CPU and, while this is not a significant problem in stationary or laptop computers, it becomes a major problem in body-worn computers since the computer is worn next to the user's body. Some attempts to remedy this problem in body-worn computers is to highly insulate the components and or the computer housing but these efforts result in a larger and heavier computer. Since size and weight are also significant factors in body-worn computers, these prior art efforts have not solved the problem and, for that matter, created problems of size and weight.
This computer structure is usable as a safe, mobile body-worn computer and also as a component for a stand-alone, laptop or desktop computer or any other conventional computer. By “conventional computer” is meant any computer known and used today such as those available from IBM, Dell, Apple, Compaq, Toshiba, Micron, Hewlett-Packard, etc. The computer structure of this invention in one embodiment has a computer housing that can be worn around the waist of a user and is slightly curved on its bottom or inner side (the side that contacts the user's waist) to be contoured in accordance with the curvature of the user's body. It has structural dimensions or area that occupies only a relatively small portion of said user's waistline. Thus, unlike Janik I and II above discussed, does not encircle the entire waist of the user. When used as a waist-worn computer, it is important it be heat insulated and that cables and other electrical connections extend from the back portion of the computer so as to be out of the way and not interfere with the user's hands when he or she is attempting to repair an object or machine or otherwise use their hands. The computer structure is symmetrical; therefore, the computer can be turned upside down as a unit for left-hand operation. The cable outlets in this manner always will face the back of the user. Conversely, the mouse controls (when converted to a conventional computer) and not used as a hands-free, voice-activated computer, will always be positioned in the front of the computer housing convenient for the right or left-hand user. The housing of the computer of this invention has outlets for connection to other components such as power supplies, monitors, keyboards, or any other required component. All embodiments of a mobile computer described in co-pending application Ser. No. 08/861,598 and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,305,244 are included in those structures usable in the present invention with the modification
Jenkins Michael D.
Newman Edward G.
Toyosato Kazuyuki
Chang Yean-Hsi
Picard Leo P.
Ralabate James J.
Xybernaut Corp.
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