Ergonomic Solvent Resistant Portable Computer

• US 20090201636A1
• Filed: 02/08/2008
• Published: 08/13/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
• Original Assignee: Motion Computing Incorporated (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Inventors: Doherty, John, Collins, Mike, Dunn, Christopher Lorenzo
• Granted Patent: US 7,821,782 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.260
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1684 Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1686 the I/O peripheral being an integrated camera
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/203 for portable computers, e.g. for laptops
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/52 Elements optimising image sensor operation, e.g. for electromagnetic interference [EMI] protection or temperature control by heat transfer or cooling elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/632 for displaying or modifying preview images prior to image capturing, e.g. variety of image resolutions or capturing parameters

Abstract

A portable computer that is ergonomic and solvent resistant is disclosed. The computer may have an exterior surface that is made from a soft polymer, so that it will shield a user from exposure to heat while providing a positive tactile feel and shielding the computer from impact. The computer may comprise a number of input output devices with distinct controls arranged about the body of the computer so that a user may comfortably operate each the devices with one hand. The housing of the computer may be sealed, so that it will be resistant to liquid and particulate infiltration, and may be easily wiped clean and disinfected.

Claims

1. A portable computer, comprising:

a display;

a front cover, coupled to the display;

a rear cover, coupled to the front cover;

a first elastomer coating adhered to the front cover; and

a second elastomer coating molded to the rear cover.

2. The portable computer of claim 1, further comprising a sealed exterior, wherein the sealed exterior comprises:

the display, sealingly coupled to the front cover;

the front cover, sealingly coupled to the rear cover; and

a handle.

3. The portable computer of claim 2, wherein the sealed exterior is substantially impermeable to water, and wherein the sealed exterior is substantially impermeable to dust.

4. The portable computer of claim 3, wherein the sealed exterior is substantially impermeable to a disinfectant spray;

and wherein the sealed exterior does not degrade when contacted with the disinfectant.

5. The portable computer of claim 2, wherein the sealed exterior is configured to insulate a user from heat generated by the portable computer.

6. The portable computer of claim 2, wherein the elastomer coating is pressure pliable.

7. The portable computer of claim 2, further comprising:

at least two radios sealingly enclosed within the sealed exterior of the portable computer;

at least two image capture devices sealingly enclosed within the sealed exterior of the portable computer;

touch activated controls sealingly enclosed within the sealed exterior of the portable computer; and

data gathering sensors arranged along a second side of the computer, wherein the second side of the computer is an adjacent and extends perpendicular to the first side of the computer;

8. A method for gathering data comprising;

grasping a handle arranged near a first side of a portable computer and/or grasping a second and third side of the computer sides of the portable computer, wherein the second and third side of the computer are adjacent and extend perpendicular to the first side of the portable computer;

generating an activation signal by activating a control located along the first side of the portable computer;

activating a data capture device in response to the activation signal, wherein the data capture device is internal to the portable computer and located along the second side of the portable computer; and

storing data from the data capture device in a memory of the portable computer.

9. The method for gathering data of claim 8, wherein the activating a control located along the first side of the portable computer further comprises:

operating a first control located along the first side of the portable computer to operate a radio frequency transceiving device that is operable to receive a radio frequency transmission from a distance of less than approximately 2″

; and

operating a second control located along the first side of the portable computer to operate a bar code scanner.

10. The method for gathering data of claim 9, wherein the activating a control located along the first side of the portable computer further comprises:

grasping the handle of the computer with one hand;

aiming the portable computer with the one hand; and

extending a digit of the one hand to activate the control.

11. The method for gathering data of claim 8, further comprising:

activating a third control arranged along a second side of the portable computer to operate a camera, wherein the camera is internal to the computer and the lens of the camera is arranged along a rear surface of the portable computer;

viewing an image of the subject viewed by the lens on a display of the portable computer; and

activating the third control to capture the image.

12. The method for gathering data of claim 8, further comprising manually entering data with a stylus, and operating a directional control pad located along the front surface of the portable computer.

13. The method for gathering data of claim 8, wherein the activating a control comprises applying pressure to a sensor that is operable in response to pressure.

14. A system for gathering data, comprising:

an electronics housing, having a handle;

two or more data gathering devices;

two or more transceivers; and

two or more user input sensors, arranged about the exterior of the electronics housing.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising an elastomer exterior.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the elastomer exterior is molded to at least a portion of the external surface of the electronics housing;

and wherein the elastomer is pressure pliable.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the elastomer exterior comprises a polymer having a semi-crystalline structure;

and wherein the semi-crystalline structure is based on polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and/or polyethylene terephthalate.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the electronics housing is sealed from the ambient environment.

19. The system of claim 18, further comprising a stylus, and a digitizer operable to receive input from the stylus to control the two or more data gathering devices and the two or more transceivers.

20. The system of claim 14, wherein:

the two or more user input sensors comprises two or more discrete controls mapped to each of the two or more discrete data gathering devices; and

the two or more discrete controls are arranged along a surface of the electronics housing that is adjacent to discrete data gathering device to which it is mapped.