Wearable computer packaging configurations

Details Wearable computer packaging configurations Wearable computer packaging configurations

1998-03-26

2001-06-19

Picard, Leo P. (Department: 2835)

Electricity: electrical systems and devices

Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...

For electronic systems and devices

C361S689000, CD14S140400, CD14S140400, C708S139000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06249427

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to personal computer systems, for example those designed to be worn by a human user, and more particularly, to features of such systems that optimize comfort, miniaturization, convertibility, durability, reliability and/or ease of manufacture.
2. Description of Related Art
Wearable computing devices of many different types are being used in a host of commercial, industrial and consumer environments. Many such computers are brick-like, however, concentrating a great deal of weight in a bulky, cumbersome box that must be strapped onto the body.
The best wearable computers are lightweight and flexible, demonstrating superior ergonomics and allowing use during all normal activities. According to one example, flexible circuitry or equivalent flexible transmission devices join physically independent computer modules, allowing comfortable distribution of the computer about the body to accommodate a wide variety of body morphologies. Standard-interconnect input/output devices allow easy user upgrades and modular replacements. Spread-spectrum wireless Local Area Networks allow interaction with other users and/or with a host computer system. Flexible wearable computing devices are comfortable, easy-to-use, convenient and powerful alternatives to the brick-like machines that until recently have been the only choice in the marketplace.
Commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,285,398, 5,491,651 and 5,581,492 to Janik, and commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,555,490 and 5,572,401 to Carroll, all of which are incorporated by reference herein, disclose a number of extremely advantageous designs that are expected to dominate over previous, box-like wearable computers.
Given the many opportunities that have arisen with the introduction of these technologies, it would be very advantageous to further develop, improve and specifically adapt these technologies in wearable-computing environment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A flexible, wearable computer of the present invention is convertible into a laptop configuration, and from the laptop configuration to the wearable configuration. The various computing elements and battery of the wearable computer are arranged by connector(s), fastener(s), and/or on a support and/or within a housing for operative communication with a display of the laptop computer configuration. Of course, prior to deployment in a laptop configuration or personal hand held device, whether pocketable or not, the computing elements and battery of the wearable computer are capable of deployment in many configurations, together or separately, on, or near, the body to facilitate comfort and utility.
Connections between the computing elements, display, and/or battery are made by: (1) wire (e.g. Cable); (2) direct electrical and mechanical connection; or (3) wireless RF communication including combinations in which the computing elements, display, and/or battery can be snapped together and have wireless electronic communication. In other combinations, these devices can be snapped together and have electronic connection via cable or direct contact connection. Of course, the computing elements, display, and/or battery can also be unconnected and have either : (1) wireless communication; or (2) cable communication.
These type of connections between the computing elements, display and/or batteries can also be made to, and between, devices such as a microphone/speaker, keyboard, mouse, touchpad, each of which may be pocketable and/or wireless.


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