Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electronic systems and devices
Reexamination Certificate
2001-05-08
2003-04-22
Schuberg, Darren (Department: 2835)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electronic systems and devices
C361S689000, C361S690000, C361S704000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06552899
ABSTRACT:
The present application relates to a mobile computer and, more specifically, to a user-supported, heat-insulated computer that can be operated in a hands-free manner.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is known to use wearable or user-supported computers that can be operated in a hands-free manner; an example is the Mobile Assistant® by Xybernaut Corporation. An important feature of these computers is that they permit the user to have freedom to use his or her hands for repairing or other manual functions while still able to use a fully functional computer. As above noted, one of the most well known of these user supported computers is the Mobile Assistant®, computer line available from Xybernaut Corporation of Fairfax, Va. Mobile Assistant® is a registered trademark of Xybernaut Corporation.
Xybernaut-owned U.S. Pat. No. 5,305,244 (Newman I) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,844,824 (Newman II) describe the details and components used in said user-supported computers. U.S. Pat. No. 5,844,824 (Newman II) describes and claims several hands-free activation means and other significant improvements or modifications in user supported computers. Both U.S. Newman I and Newman II are owned by the assignee of the present application and both describe in one embodiment where a rigid computer that has all components in a single housing. The disclosure of U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,305,244 and 5,844,824 are incorporated by reference in the present disclosure.
Other patents 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 non-rigid or a belt worn computer containing the elements or components of a computer in several different housings or pockets. In Janik I, the plurality of computing elements are located in separate pockets 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 II, the flexible wearable computer is in the form of a belt comprising around its periphery sequentially positioned computer elements.
In desk top and in many mobile computers, including laptops, the computer housings become extremely hot due to the heat generated by the CPU and other internal computer components. Of course, fans are used in larger computers but space precludes their use in wearables. Various means such as heat sinks and heat-insulating housings have been considered in wearables to minimize this heat problem but still potential problems exist.
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 protective structure for use in a body-supported computer to disperse heat from the interior of the computer.
Another object of this invention is to provide a computer structure having a housing enclosed at least partially by a heat-insulating grate or grille to permit easy handling of the computer even when it is in use.
Still a further object of this invention is to provide a computer structure having means in addition to the grille for dispersing the heat generated within the computer housing.
Yet a further object of this invention is to provide a computer with an optional compartment for a battery to be inserted or attached to the computer housing.
Still a further object of this invention is to provide a mobile computer that optionally has communication means for communicating with other means using cell phones, Local Area Networks (LAN), hardwire phones, radio or infrared technology.
Another object of this invention is to provide a substantially rigid computer structure that can be easily handled by the use of an insulating grille to provide protection against internal heat generated and transferred to the outer surface of the housing.
A further object of this invention is to provide a computer structure that can be touched during or after usage in spite of the generated heat and can be worn interchangeably on the right or left side of a user or on his front or back area as in a vest or other user-supported garment or harness.
A still further object of this invention is to provide a mobile computer structure that can be safely worn on any portion of the body in a hands-free manner and be user protected against the heated housing.
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 peripherals or other 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 and/or in conjunction with a holster or user-supported docking device, 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-supported computer comprising a computer housing, an insulating grille structure enclosing at least a part of said 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.
As noted earlier in this disclosure, wearable computers are completely different in their requirements from desktop or laptop computers. For one thing, the space interior and exterior of a wearable is approximately one-fourth to one-third of the area of a current laptop. This requires that the computer components be much closer together and have less open space in the housing of the wearable. The heat formation created internally must therefore be handled in a unique fashion. Looking to laptops or desktop computers for historical solutions will not work for correcting problems in wearables. Wearables are fully supported by the user whereas desktops and laptops are not; desktops and laptops can be placed on a supporting surface and, in most instances, never touch the user when in use. Therefore, the weight, heat generated and space are unique, critical factors to be considered for wearables. Since the wearable computer always touches the user when functioning, the heat generated becomes extremely important and its dissipation must be solved without regard to desktop or laptop historical solutions. In addition, the computer of this invention is self contained and immune from conditions in the environment.
Also, in a wearable, handling of the computer creates problems because the metal housing becomes too hot and could cause severe burns on the user's hands when handled. The interior generated heat is caused by the CPU and other computer components. Some efforts have been expended to solve this problem such as the use of plastics on the housing surface closest to the user's body. However, this limits the use of metal in the housing which is desirable to conduct the heat from the interior of the housing to the atmosphere. In other words, the more of the housing that is constructed of metal such as magnesium or lightweight aluminum, the more effective will be the heat dissipation from the interior of the computer housing to the atmosphere.
The present invention provides a unique and novel solution to both the handling and heat dissipation of a wearable computer. A heat-insulating grille in a substantially checkerboard configuration is placed in spaced relationship around at least a portion of the computer housing. Since the grille is heat insulating, it provides touch protection for the user when he or she handles the computer during or immediately after use. Since the heat generate
Ronzani Peter A.
Wong Andrew
Lea-Edmonds Lisa
Schuberg Darren
Xybernaut Corp.
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