Flexible wearable computer

• US 6,108,197 A
• Filed: 08/24/1998
• Issued: 08/22/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Embedded Technologies LLC (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Via Inc. (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Janik, Craig M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Reed, John D.
• Application Number:
  US09/138,797
• Time in Patent Office: 729 Days
• Field of Search: 361/683, 364/708.1
• US Class Current: 361/679.03
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 1/002 adapted to accommodate electronic equipment patients' garments for medical monitoring A41D13/1281; luminous ornaments A41D27/085
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/14 Structural association of two or more printed circuits providing electric connection to or between printed circuits H05K1/11, H01R12/00
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/189 characterised by the use of a flexible or folded printed circuit H05K3/326 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/361 Assembling flexible printed circuits with other printed circuits

Abstract

A wearable computing device includes computing-device component modules and flexible circuitry passing into the modules. The modules can include a top module portion and a bottom module portion, the flexible circuitry passing between the top and bottom portions. Wireless communication, e.g. by radio frequency, with a peripheral and/or a local area network is also contemplated.

Claims

1. A wearable computer, comprising:

a processor module comprising a processing device for carrying out processing functions for the wearable computer;

a memory module comprising memory for storage functions for the wearable computer, the memory being operatively coupled with the processing device;

a power module comprising a power source for the wearable computer, the power source being operatively coupled with the processing device and the memory;

an input-output module comprising an input-output device for input and/or output functions for the wearable computer, the input-output device being operatively coupled with the processor;

a wireless communication device operatively coupled with the processor for wireless communication; and

a flexible signal-carrying device, the flexible signal-carrying device transmitting signals between at least two of the modules, the flexible signal-carrying device passing into said at least two modules.

2. The wearable computer of claim 1, wherein the processor module comprises a processor-module top portion and a processor-module bottom portion, the flexible signal-carrying device passing between the processor-module top portion and the processor-module bottom portion.

3. The wearable computer of claim 2, wherein the flexible signal-carrying device passes through opposite ends of the processor module between the processor-module top portion and the processor-module bottom portion.

4. The wearable computer of claim 1, wherein the flexible signal-carrying device passes through opposite ends of the processor module.

5. The wearable computer of claim 1, further comprising a user interface for receiving input from and/or providing output to a user of the wearable computer, the wireless communication device being in wireless communication with the user interface.

6. The wearable computer of claim 5, wherein the user interface comprises structure for mounting on the user'"'"'s body.

7. The wearable computer of claim 6, wherein the user interface comprises a heads-up display.

8. The wearable computer of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication device is in wireless communication with a local area network.

9. The wearable computer of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication device communicates via radio frequency.

10. The wearable computer of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication device comprises an infrared transceiver.

11. The wearable computer of claim 1, further comprising a cover for covering the flexible signal-carrying device between said at least two modules.

12. The wearable computer of claim 11, wherein the cover is separated from said at least two modules.

13. The wearable computer of claim 1, wherein the processor module, memory module, power module and input-output module are all separated from each other.

14. A wearable computer, comprising:

a processing device for carrying out processing functions for the wearable computer;

memory for storage functions for the wearable computer, the memory being operatively coupled with the processing device;

a power source for the wearable computer, the power source being operatively coupled with the processing device and the memory;

an input-output device for input and/or output functions for the wearable computer, the input-output device being operatively coupled with the processor;

a wireless communication device operatively coupled with the processor for wireless communication;

at least two modules for housing the processing device, memory, and/or power source, and

a flexible signal-carrying device, the flexible signal-carrying device transmitting signals between said at least two modules, the flexible signal-carrying device passing into said at least two modules.

15. The wearable computer of claim 14, wherein the wireless communication device is disposed outside said at least two modules.

16. The wearable computer of claim 14, wherein the flexible signal-carrying device passes entirely through at least one of the modules.

17. The wearable computer of claim 14, wherein the flexible signal-carrying device comprises flexible circuitry.

18. The wearable computer of claim 14, wherein the wearable computer is in the form of a belt.

19. The wearable computer of claim 14, wherein the wireless communication device is in communication with a peripheral.

20. The wearable computer of claim 14, wherein the wireless communication device communicates via radio frequency.

21. A flexible computing device for support by the human body, the flexible computing device comprising:

an input portion, the input portion adapted to provide communication with a keyboard;

an output portion, the output portion adapted to provide communication with a display;

a processing portion operably coupled to the input portion and the output portion, the processing portion adapted to perform processing functions;

at least one flexible signal relaying portion operably connecting at least the input portion and the output portion for conducting electrical signals therebetween; and

a cover, the cover at least partially covering the input portion, the output portion, and the at least one flexible signal relaying portion, the cover being one-piece over the input portion, the output portion, and the at least one flexible signal relaying portion, the cover being constructed for support by the human body.

22. The flexible wearable computing device of claim 21, wherein the cover defines at least two openings therethrough, one of the openings being associated with the input portion and the other of the openings being associated with the output portion.

23. The flexible wearable computing device of claim 22, wherein the cover is foldable.

24. The flexible wearable computing device of claim 21, wherein the at least one flexible signal relaying portion comprises flexible circuitry.

25. The flexible wearable computing device of claim 21, wherein at least a portion of the flexible wearable computing device is constructed to be handheld.

26. The flexible wearable computing device of claim 21, wherein the flexible wearable computing device is constructed to be comfortable to wear while the human body is against a firm surface.

27. The flexible wearable computing device of claim 21, further comprising a battery portion operably coupled to the processing portion.

28. The flexible wearable computing device of claim 27, wherein the battery portion is disposed at least partially within the cover.

29. The flexible wearable computing device of claim 21, further comprising a belt constructed to support the flexible wearable computing device on the human body.