Mobile Computer Workstation

• US 20100324379A1
• Filed: 08/06/2010
• Published: 12/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: InterMetro Industries Corporation (Ali Holding Srl)
• Original Assignee: InterMetro Industries Corporation (Ali Holding Srl)
• Inventors: Abu-Akel, Fouad, Washington, Keith, Jacobs, Michael R., Clark, Richard A., Janoschka, Darin, Flemig, Steven B.
• Granted Patent: US 7,990,691 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/301
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1635 Details related to the integration of battery packs and other power supplies such as fuel cells or integrated AC adapter
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1637 Details related to the display arrangement, including those related to the mounting of the display in the housing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/166 related to integrated arrangements for adjusting the position of the main body with respect to the supporting surface, e.g. legs for adjusting the tilt angle
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1662 Details related to the integrated keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1686 the I/O peripheral being an integrated camera
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0045 concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/918 Ancillary device support associated with a video display screen

Abstract

A mobile workstation for use with a computer network. The mobile workstation may include a medical monitoring device, a radio transceiver in communication with the medical monitoring device operable for receiving and sending data to the computer network, a display screen, and a wheeled chassis for mounting the medical monitoring device, the radio transceiver and the display screen.

Claims

1. A mobile workstation, comprising:

a wheeled chassis including a vertically extending beam having a variable length;

a work surface supported by the beam at a vertical height;

at least one display screen located above the work surface;

a computing device proximate of the at least one display screen;

an input device tray;

a power unit supported beneath the wheeled chassis; and

wherein varying the length of the beam simultaneously varies the vertical height of the work surface.

2. The mobile workstation of claim 1, wherein the input device tray positions an input device in front of and below the work surface.

3. The mobile workstation of claim 1, wherein a power cable is connected between said display screen and said power unit and is routed inside of said vertical beam.

4. The mobile workstation of claim 1, wherein the wheeled chassis has a width that is greater than a width of the work surface.

5. The mobile workstation of claim 1, wherein the power unit is supported by a support plate disposed below the beam.

6. The mobile workstation of claim 1, further comprising:

a video camera, wherein the video camera is mounted on the at least one display screen; and

a video-conferencing system.

7. The mobile workstation of claim 6, further comprising:

a second display screen located next to the at least one display screen for displaying content different from the at least one display screen.

8. The mobile workstation of claim 1, further comprising patient vital signs capture device comprising:

a sensor device; and

a control device, wherein the control device controls information from the sensor device.

9. The mobile workstation of claim 8, wherein the sensor device comprises one of a blood pressure cuff, a thermometry sensor, and pulse oximetry sensor.

10. The mobile workstation according to claim 1, further comprising:

a radio transceiver; and

a medical monitoring device; and

wherein the radio transceiver is in communication with the medical monitoring device.

11. The mobile workstation of claim 1, further comprising apparatus for varying the length of the beam.

12. The mobile workstation of claim 11, wherein the apparatus comprises one of a rack and pinion, a cable and pulley, a ratchet, a ball screw, and a gas-spring.

13. A mobile workstation, comprising:

a chassis comprising a plurality of wheels and a linearly-extensible, vertically-oriented beam;

a horizontally-oriented work surface supported by the chassis at a vertical distance from the wheels;

an input device tray near the work surface;

at least one display screen located above the work surface;

a computing device;

a power unit for supplying power to at least one of the computing device and the at least one display screen, the power unit supported by the chassis below the beam;

a beam-extending apparatus; and

wherein when the beam is extended, the distance between the work surface and the wheels simultaneously increases, while still maintaining the horizontal orientation of the work surface.

14. The mobile workstation of claim 13, wherein the input device tray positions an input device in front of and below the work surface.

15. The mobile workstation of claim 13, wherein a power cable is connected between said display screen and said power unit and is routed inside of said vertical beam.

16. The mobile workstation of claim 13, wherein the wheeled chassis has a width that is greater than a width of the work surface.

17. The mobile workstation of claim 13, wherein the beam extending apparatus comprises one of a rack and pinion, a cable and pulley, a ratchet, a ball screw, and a gas-spring.

19. The mobile workstation of claim 17, further comprising:

a videoconferencing system including said display screen and a video camera mounted to said wheeled chassis;

a radio transceiver mounted to said wheeled chassis and in communication with the videoconferencing system operable for receiving and sending data to a computer network.

20. The mobile workstation of claim 17, further comprising:

a medical monitoring device mounted to said wheeled chassis; and

a radio transceiver mounted to said wheeled chassis and in communication with the medical monitoring device operable for receiving and sending data to a computer network.

18. A mobile workstation, comprising:

a wheeled chassis including a vertical beam having an adjustable length;

a work surface supported by the vertical beam at a vertical height;

a keyboard tray supported by the vertical beam at a vertical height below the work surface;

a display screen supported by the vertical beam at a vertical height above the work surface;

a computing device;

a power unit supported by the chassis below the vertical beam; and

a device that changes the length of the vertical beam;

and wherein the vertical height of the work surface and the vertical height of the keyboard tray are all simultaneously adjusted.