Modular portable computer work station selectively powered by either an internal battery, an internal battery charger, or an external DC input
First Claim
1. A portable computer work station including a carrying case and a computer and at least one computer peripheral transported within said carrying case, said carrying case having a body in which said computer and computer peripheral are located and a cover movable to opened and closed positions relative to said body, said work station comprising:
- internal voltage supply means including a battery that is located within the body of said carrying case to supply power to said computer and said computer peripheral;
electrical interface means to be connected to an external voltage supply that is located outside said carrying case, said electrical interface means to also supply power to said computer and said computer peripheral; and
a main control panel located within said body and having a plurality of switches, a first and a second of said plurality of switches being closed to connect said battery to said computer, said first and a third of said plurality of switches being closed to connect said battery and said electrical interface means to said computer peripheral, and said first and said second and said third of said plurality of switches being closed to connect said internal voltage supply and said electrical interface means to said computer and to said computer peripheral so that said computer and said computer peripheral are powered by one of said internal voltage supply or said electrical interface means, said electrical interface means connected to said computer to supply power to said computer when none of said first, second or third switches is closed and said cover is moved to the closed position relative to the body of said carrying case.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A versatile, compact portable work station includes a computer, a printer, and other peripherals, including but not limited to a digital camera, an optical scanner, a cellular telephone, a modem, and the like, that are efficiently interconnected with one another and stored within a carrying case. A computer tray supports the computer in spaced alignment above the printer. The computer tray is adapted to be advanced relative to the printer to permit easy access to both the printer and computer. The computer, printer and other peripherals are powered either from a lead-acid battery or a battery charger that are stored within the carrying case or from an external DC input. Also included in the case is a main control panel having a plurality of switches that are selectively operated to respectively connect the battery, the battery charger, or the DC input to one or more of the computer and peripherals, such that the work station is controlled completely from the carrying case.
76 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A portable computer work station including a carrying case and a computer and at least one computer peripheral transported within said carrying case, said carrying case having a body in which said computer and computer peripheral are located and a cover movable to opened and closed positions relative to said body, said work station comprising:
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internal voltage supply means including a battery that is located within the body of said carrying case to supply power to said computer and said computer peripheral; electrical interface means to be connected to an external voltage supply that is located outside said carrying case, said electrical interface means to also supply power to said computer and said computer peripheral; and a main control panel located within said body and having a plurality of switches, a first and a second of said plurality of switches being closed to connect said battery to said computer, said first and a third of said plurality of switches being closed to connect said battery and said electrical interface means to said computer peripheral, and said first and said second and said third of said plurality of switches being closed to connect said internal voltage supply and said electrical interface means to said computer and to said computer peripheral so that said computer and said computer peripheral are powered by one of said internal voltage supply or said electrical interface means, said electrical interface means connected to said computer to supply power to said computer when none of said first, second or third switches is closed and said cover is moved to the closed position relative to the body of said carrying case. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A portable computer work station including a carrying case, a computer and a computer peripheral transported within said carrying case, said carrying case having a body in which said computer and said computer peripheral are located and a cover movable to opened and closed positions relative to said body, said work station comprising:
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a battery located within the body of said carrying case and adapted to supply DC power to said computer and to said computer peripheral; a battery charger located within said carrying case to be connected to an external AC voltage source located outside said carrying case, said battery charger adapted to charge said battery and supply DC power to said computer and to said computer peripheral; a DC input terminal located on said carrying case to be connected to an external DC voltage source located outside said carrying case, said DC input terminal also adapted to supply DC power to said computer and to said computer peripheral; at least a first switch connected between said computer and each of said battery, said battery charger and said DC input terminal, said at least first switch being closed to connect said battery and said battery charger and said DC input terminal to said computer to supply power to said computer; and a second switch connected between said first switch and said computer peripheral, said second switch being closed at the same time that said first switch is closed to connect said battery and said battery charger and said DC input terminal to said computer peripheral to supply power to said peripheral, said battery charger and said DC input terminal connected to said computer to supply Dower to said computer when neither said first nor said second switch is closed and said cover is moved to the closed position relative to the body of said carrying case. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification