Mobile computing and communication system

• US 6,206,480 B1
• Filed: 03/25/1998
• Issued: 03/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eric Thompson
• Original Assignee: Eric Thompson
• Inventors: Thompson, Eric
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DATSKOVSKIY, MICHAIL V
• Application Number:
  US09/048,830
• Time in Patent Office: 1,098 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679-687, 361/724-730, 361/752-759, 361/825, 361/827, 361/829, 364/705.01, 364/708, 364/708.1, 364/706.1, 206/320, 206/305, 206/523, 206/576, 206/214, 206/223, 206/328, 206/449, 190/9, 190/11, 190/107, 190/102, 190/109, 190/110, 190/119, 190/16, 190/17, 190/31, 190/35, 190/115, 190/900, 346/145, 400/691, 400/685, 400/88, 400/69, 400/680, 400/682, 307/29, 307/66, 312/208, 312/223.3, 248/183, 248/503, 248/503.1, 248/183--18, 297/188.01, 379/58, 379/447, 379/428, 379/440, 379/433, 224/275, 224/929, 455/90, 455/74, 455/85, 455/128, 455/403, 200/320, 200/305, 200/334, 200/523, 200/576
• US Class Current: 361/625
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1628 Carrying enclosures containing additional elements, e.g. case for a laptop and a printer

Abstract

A dual, or single, case mobile computing and communication system with rapid mobility for usage in the field, consisting of a component mounting mechanism, a mobile computer and peripheral data switching micronetwork, an enclosed modular peripheral power system, and a plug-in modular component card system. The universal mounting mechanism holds multiple peripherals in such a way that they can be easily and quickly installed and removed from the case configuration. It locks the peripherals so they do not move during transportation. It is also low in profile so it does not obstruct the use of the items being held. The system offers rapid reaction mobility, by isolating and securing the many data and power cables necessary to connect up to 8 peripherals. The data part of this micronetwork includes data switching to connect the single computer'"'"'s parallel and serial interface to these peripherals. The power system is modular and supports unique power outputs to multiple devices from either a single AC or DC input. The invention combines multiple modular component cards that snap together allowing ease of use and quick field exchange of panels for the system.

Claims

1. A mobile information and communication system having components for providing information processing and communication functions such as processing, scanning, printing, copying, secure communications, unclassified communications and data backup, comprising:

at least one case having a base with a floor and a removable lid, said base having a support panel with an upper side on which said components are mounted;

mounting structure for removably mounting said components to said upper side of said support panel against lateral or vertical translation away from said support panel;

rails for removably supporting said support panel in said base spaced above said floor;

a micronetwork that isolates, secures and simplifies the many data and power cables necessary to connect multiple electronic components such as a laptop computer, a scanner, a printer, a satellite or cellular telephone and a backup tape or CD drive, said micronetwork having a power supply, cables and electronics attached to the bottom side of said support panel and coupled through said panel by cables;

whereby said system is ready for use as soon as said lid is opened and said components may be changed out for service or replacement, and said support panel may be easily removed and replaced with a different panel for additional or different functions or for upgrades without discarding the entire system.

2. A mobile information and communication system as defined in claim 1, wherein:

said mounting structure includes corner mounts having a top-mounted rotating locking plate that prevents vertical movement of the mounted component when said locking plate is rotated over said components.

3. A mobile information and communication system as defined in claim 2 wherein:

said corner mounts including a mounting plate that tightens onto an adjustable vertical support mechanism preventing vertical movement of said component, said vertical support slides within a mountable base allowing the height of said support to be adjusted to the height of said component being mounted.

4. A mobile information and communication system as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

a modular component plug-in system having an integrated modular power system supporting the power requirements of multiple peripherals with power switching and power cable connectivity to all components in the system.

5. A mobile information and communication system as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

individual boards each having a specific function such as supporting and powering portable computer, supporting and powering printer, supporting switches, ports and cellular phone, etc.;

said individual boards having mechanical and electrical connections whereby they are snapped together to build a complete system.

6. A mobile information and communication system as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

a case mounted data and power bus providing data and power receptacle connections and card to card connectivity to said individual boards.

7. A mobile information and communication system as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

a universal serial bus cable and connectors therefor integrated to allow the connection of multiple components through said universal serial bus and connectors from said main case to a peripheral case, wherein said universal serial bus connection replaces both a separate power source from said power motherboard and data connection from said serial and parallel ports.

11. A mobile information and communication system as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

said stand-off support structure for said support panel includes edge supports fastened to said case for supporting and cushioning said system components.

12. A mobile information and communication system as defined in claim 11, wherein:

said edge supports include at least two rails with mounting holes.

13. A mobile information and communication system as defined in claim 12, wherein:

said rails are ‘

Z’

-shaped in cross section and attached to the sides of said case base.

14. A mobile information and communication system as defined in claim 12, further comprising:

said support panel having threaded holes therein and to receiving fasteners by which said mounting mechanisms are fastened into said case for supporting said components;

said panel being attached to said rails, which in turn are attached to said case, thereby providing a strong flat surface.

15. A mobile information and communication system as defined in claim 12, wherein:

said rails are resilient, and yield slightly in the event of impacts, thereby providing a resilient mount for said panel that spreads impact shock; and

said rails strengthen the structural integrity of said case.

16. A mobile information and communication system as defined in claim 13, further comprising:

a cable run beneath said base panel.

17. A mobile information and communication system as defined in claim 11, further comprising:

three individual component boards;

power and data connections between said component boards and to said case.

18. A mobile information and communication system as defined in claim 17, further comprising:

a vertical snap down connection for each component board to a power and data bus physically attached to the base of the case system;

data and power receptacles at the bottom of each component board plug in to a corresponding receptacle on the data/power bus, providing circuitry and cabling to connect the data and power systems on said individual component cards.

19. A mobile information and communication system as defined in claim 17, further comprising:

side plugs on said cards for connecting said cards electrically in a horizontal direction.

8. An integrated modular system supporting data processing and communication functions, such as digital imaging, scanning, printing, copying, secure and open voice and digital communications and data backup, comprising:

a case having a base and a lid removable from said base, said base having a support panel therein having a top side and a bottom side;

rails in said case base for connecting said support panel in a stand-off position above said base;

a plurality of electronic components for performing said functions, said components being removably secured to said top side of said support panel by hold-down devices that prevent lateral and vertical translation of said components relative to said base;

electrical connectors positioned adjacent to said components to electrically connect said components to suitable signal transmission cables and power cables attached to said connectors;

a set of connectors and switches on said support panel, and interconnecting cable, batteries, and system electronics secured to said bottom side of said support panel, said connectors, switches, interconnecting cable, and system electronics constituting a micronetwork for interconnecting said components as desired by an operator.

9. An integrated modular data processing and communication system as defined in claim 8, wherein:

said hold-down devices include posts having corner cut-outs for engaging corners of said components.

10. A process of assembling a data processing and communication system, comprising:

selecting at least one case having a removable cover in which electronic components can be secured;

mounting a base in said case, said base having a floor and an edge support, said floor being supported in said case spaced on said edge support to provide a space between said floor and said case for accommodating internal cables for interconnecting said components, said base having corner mounting hardware for securing said components against lateral or vertical movement in said case relative to said base and electrical connectors for connecting said component electrically into a micronetwork;

installing said components on said base with said connectors plugged into electrical sockets in said components and said mounting hardware and electrical connectors securing said components against movement relative to said base.