Torso-worn computer without a monitor

• US 5,719,744 A
• Filed: 08/29/1996
• Issued: 02/17/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: XYBERNAUT CORPORATION
• Inventors: Hong, Peter S., Ronzani, Peter A., Williams, John W., Jenkins, Michael D.
• Primary Examiner(s): FEILD, LYNN DIANA
• Application Number:
  US08/705,248
• Time in Patent Office: 537 Days
• Field of Search: 361/680, 361/681, 361/683-686, 361/730, 364/708.1, 364/709.02, 364/709.1, 364/710.01, 345/168, 345/169, 312/208.4
• US Class Current: 361/679.03
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt

Abstract

This computer structure provides a body-worn computer that is easily converted into a conventional or laptop computer. This body-worn computer has a compartment for enclosing the entire PC card being used, and a second compartment for housing a removable hard drive. Also in the housing of this computer are located an opening for an IrDA transceiver and offset connections for protecting connectors to peripherals.

Claims

1. A mobile, torso-worn computer comprising a computer housing, activating means, means for attaching said computer housing to the torso of a user, said computer housing having a back section for attachment of cables thereto and on an opposite end of said housing is a from section, said computer housing comprising substantially all of the components of a conventional computer except for a monitor, said housing comprising:

(A) an offset peripheral connector recessed from a rear terminal portion or back section of said computer housing, said offset peripheral connectors are adjacent to and recessed back from said back section in such a manner that a rigid connector connected thereto does not extend substantially beyond said back section, said peripheral connector means having a curved configuration that substantially conforms to the curvature of a user'"'"'s body;

and optionally;

(B) a PC card housing having means to contain substantially an entire PC card when contained therein;

(C) a compartment for housing a removable hard drive; and

(D) an opening in said front section of said computer housing for internal connection to an IrDA transceiver.

2. The mobile, torso-worn computer of claim 1 further 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 except for a monitor, said housing comprising said PC card housing having means to contain substantially an entire PC card when positioned therein.

3. The mobile, torso-worn computer of claim 1 further 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 except for a monitor, said compartment further being able to house other non-volatile storage devices, said compartment located in said housing at a location that will be adjacent the user'"'"'s body when in use.

4. The mobile, torso-worn computer of claim 1 further 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 except for a monitor, said opening being on an outer portion of said housing for internal connection to an IrDA transceiver.

5. The computer of claim 1 having means for converting said computer from a body-supported computer to a stand alone computer.

6. The computer of claim 5 wherein said means for converting being integral with said computer housing.

7. The computer of claim 1 wherein said housing has mouse control means on its front portion.

8. The computer of claim 1 wherein said housing has attaching means located at a computer housing portion that will fit adjacent said user.

9. The computer of claim 1 wherein said computer housing has longitudinal side portions that are symmetrical.

10. The computer of claim 1 wherein said computer housing has heat venting means on at least one side portion thereof.

11. The computer of claim 1 wherein said computer has connecting means to a power supply, a keyboard or a monitor.