Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electronic systems and devices
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-07
2002-02-26
Feild, Lynn D. (Department: 2835)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electronic systems and devices
C361S689000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06351388
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to a computer and, more specifically, to a computer having a novel PCMCIA housing and other novel features.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Most, if not all, of the computers used today have means to use PCMCIA cards and thereby also have PCMCIA card connection means. The PCMCIA card (PC card) is generally connected to the computer housing at one terminal end portion of the housing whereby a portion of the PC card structure or attachment extends beyond said terminal end portion.
PCMCIA or PC cards are traditionally made up of two parts. The first part is the PC card itself. It usually contains all the electronics necessary for performing a given function, e.g. modem communications. The second part (sometimes called a dongle or cable), is the connector and sometimes wire that attaches to the PC card on one end hereinafter referred to as the “second part” and on the other end of the wire is a second connector that attaches to a device such as standard telephone wiring. The combination structure of both this first part and second part will hereinafter be referred to as the “complete” or “entire” PC card. “Entire” or “complete” include the cable or wire attached to the PCMCIA card (as shown in
FIG. 4
, element
31
).
One of the many problems that PCMCIA users encounter is the susceptibility of the dongle/cable (that is, the point where the dongle/cable is physically connected to the PC card) breaking during normal use. Most computer manufacturers build the PC card housing such that the PC card itself, when inserted into the computer, is embedded within the structure of the computer and is therefore protected. However, the most susceptible part for breaking is where the connector and cable attaches to the PC card. This connector and cable is not protected at all but extends out beyond the computer housing.
Another problem that is inherent with PCMCIA is that it is difficult to protect PC card slots from environmental factors (such as rain and dust) while a PC card is inserted into the computer housing.
The present invention eliminates the problems above by providing the PC card housing with the ability to not only seal off the connector but also allows the connector and portion of the cable connected to the PC card to also be contained within the housing.
There are known computers that have been used and disclosed involving wearable computers and computer components. The 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 Xybernaut 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 disclosing wearable computers are U.S. Pat. No. 5,285,398 (Janik I) and U.S. Pat. No. 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 II, the flexible wearable computer is in the form of a belt comprising around its periphery sequentially positioned computer elements.
In both Newman, et al. and Janik I and II, a body-worn computer is disclosed that has utility only as a body-worn mobile computer.
Also in the prior art, PC 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 or body-supported 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.
Another object of this invention is to provide a computer structure having a housing containing a PC card weather proof compartment that houses substantially the entire PCMCIA (PC card) when in use.
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 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.
Another still further object of this invention is to provide a mobile computer having outlets or other means to connect onto or 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 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 or body-supported 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 with optionally a monitor, said housing comprising a PC card housing having means to contain substantially an entire PC card when contained therein. Optionally the computer of this invention also could comprise:
A. a compartment for housing a removable hard drive; and
B. an opening for internal connection to an IrDA transceiver.
This computer structure is usable as both a mobile body-worn or body-supported computer and 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 body-worn or body-supported embodiment has a computer housing that can be worn around the torso or waist of a user and is curved on its inner side (the side that contacts the user's waist) to be contoured in accordance with the curvature of the user's waist. It has structural dimensions or area that occupies only a 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 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 desktop or stand alone computer) will always be positioned in the front of the computer housing convenient for the right or left-hand user. The computer of this invention as earlier noted can be a body-supported computer, ca
Hong Peter S.
Jenkins Michael D.
Ronzan Peter A.
Williams John W.
Feild Lynn D.
Xybernaut Corporation
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