Flexible computer system

• US 6,097,607 A
• Filed: 11/01/1997
• Issued: 08/01/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Embedded Technologies LLC (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Via Inc. (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Carroll, David W., Carroll, Wendell L., Carroll, James L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sparks, Donald
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vigushin, John B.
• Application Number:
  US08/969,431
• Time in Patent Office: 1,004 Days
• Field of Search: 361/749, 361/776, 361/788, 361/789, 361/728, 361/729, 361/736, 361/752, 439/67, 439/77, 439/76.1, 439/91, 439/493, 364/708.1, 174/254, 174/268
• US Class Current: 361/752
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/59 for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/77 for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/189 characterised by the use of a flexible or folded printed circuit H05K3/326 takes precedence

Abstract

A computing device unit includes an upper casing, at least one integrated chip module electrically mounted on an interior side of the upper casing, a lower casing selectively engageable with the upper casing, and a flexible circuity ribbon extending through the upper casing and the lower casing, and being electrically connected to the at least one chip module within the lower and upper casing. Related devices and methods provide similar advantages.

Claims

1. A computing device comprising:

an upper casing;

at least one integrated chip module electrically mounted on an interior side of the upper casing;

a lower casing selectively engageable with the upper casing;

flexible circuitry extending through the computing device beyond the upper casing and the lower casing, and being electrically connected to the at least one chip module; and

at least one electrical connector interposed between the integrated chip module and the flexible circuitry.

2. The computing device of claim 1, further comprising a protection frame disposed between the upper casing and the lower casing about at least a portion of an outer edge of the upper casing and lower casing, the protection frame being sized to maintain spacing between the interior of the upper casing and an interior of the lower casing.

3. The computing device of claim 2, wherein the protection frame is configured and arranged to selectively interlock the upper casing and the lower casing.

4. The computing device of claim 2, wherein the protection frame is an electrical connector.

5. The computing device of claim 1, further comprising a casing connector for releasably compressing the upper casing against the lower casing to securely connect the upper casing to the lower casing and to securely electrically connect the chip module to the flexible circuitry.

6. The computing device of claim 5, wherein the casing connector comprises a clamp releasably securable about the upper and lower casing.

7. The computing device of claim 5, wherein the casing connector comprises a combination of a plurality of recesses formed on the upper casing and a plurality of detents on the lower casing that reciprocate with the recesses of the upper casing to define at least one of a snap-fit connection and a frictional engagement connection.

8. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the chip is an area grid array chip.

9. The computing device of claim 8, wherein the chip is a ball grid array chip.

10. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the at least one electrical connector is constructed to protect the integrated chip module and the flexible circuitry ribbon.

11. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the at least one electrical connector is adjustably coupled to the upper casing.

12. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the lower casing and the flexible circuitry ribbon are affixed as a one-piece component.

13. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the lower casing further comprises an at least one alignment mechanism for connecting to the upper casing.

14. A system of computing devices according to claim 1, interconnected to form a computer system.

15. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the at least one electrical connector is an elastomeric connector.

16. The computing device of claim 15, wherein the elastomeric connector comprises a plurality of leads.

17. A computing device unit comprising:

an upper casing;

at least one integrated chip module electrically mounted on an interior side of the upper casing;

a lower casing selectively engageable with the upper casing;

a flexible circuitry ribbon extending through the unit between the upper casing and the lower casing, and being electrically connected to the at least one chip module within the lower and upper casing;

wherein the chip is a ball grid array chip;

further wherein an electrical connector is interposed between, and electrically connects, the ball grid array chip and the flexible circuitry within the upper and lower casing.

18. The computing device unit of claim 17, wherein the connector is an elastomeric connector having a plurality of electrical leads extending therethrough for electrical connection to the ball grid array chip and to the flexible circuitry.

19. A computing device unit, comprising:

an upper casing;

a printed wire board including at least one integrated chip module electrically mounted thereon;

a lower casing removably selectively engageable with the upper casing;

a first protection frame interposed between and extending about a periphery of the upper casing and the printed wire board, and a second protection frame interposed between and extending about a periphery of the lower casing and the printed wire board;

a portion of a flexible circuitry ribbon extending through the unit between the second protection frame and the lower casing; and

at least one electrical connector interposed between and electrically connecting the portion of flexible circuitry and the chip of printed wire board;

wherein selective engagement of the upper casing to the lower casing secures the printed wire board, first and second protection frames, electrical connector, and the portion of flexible circuitry within the upper and lower casing and secures electrical connection between the flexible circuitry and the at least one chip.

20. A flexible computing device comprising a flexible computing module including a single computing circuit disposed on a single flexible sheet of flexible circuitry and including a first portion foldable over a second portion of the sheet, wherein the circuit extends contiguously between the first portion and the second portion free of a connector therebetween;

further wherein the first portion is adapted for receiving a first modular connection device and the second portion is adapted for receiving a second modular connection device, the first and second modular connection devices being readily receivable in and removable from the first and second portions.

21. The flexible computing device of claim 20, wherein the first and second modular connection devices are each selected from the group consisting of a PC card and a micro card.

22. A computing unit, comprising:

a first outer casing portion;

a second outer casing portion fixedly supported with respect to the first outer casing portion;

an elastomeric bed supported between the first and second outer casing portions;

a chip module supported between the first and second outer casing portions; and

circuitry substrate supported between the first and second outer casing portions and in electrical connection with the chip module;

wherein the elastomeric bed, chip module, and circuitry substrate are arranged along a substantially straight line extending from the first outer casing portion to the second outer casing portion, further wherein the chip module is positioned between the elastomeric bed and the circuitry substrate.

23. The computing unit of claim 22, wherein the elastomeric bed is in electrical connection with the chip module and the circuitry substrate.

24. The computing unit of claim 22, wherein the straight line is substantially perpendicular to the first and second outer casing portions.

25. The computing unit of claim 22, wherein the elastomeric bed is attached to one of the first and second outer casing portions.

26. The computing unit of claim 22, wherein the chip module is a first chip module and the computing unit comprises a second chip module, the first and second chip modules being attached to the elastomeric bed.

27. The computing unit of claim 26, wherein the elastomeric bed is attached to one of the first and second outer casing portions.

28. The computing unit of claim 22, wherein the elastomeric bed comprises an electrical conductor.