Portable networked computer system

• US 6,438,577 B1
• Filed: 07/01/1999
• Issued: 08/20/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Owens, Myles A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Geckil, Mehmet B.
• Application Number:
  US09/345,909
• Time in Patent Office: 1,146 Days
• Field of Search: 709/203, 709/220, 361/683, 361/679, 160/135
• US Class Current: 709/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1613 for portable computers cooling arrangements therefor G06F1/203; constructional details or arrangements for pocket calculators, electronic agendas or books G06F15/0216; constructional details of portable telephone sets: with several bodies H04M1/0202
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1628 Carrying enclosures containing additional elements, e.g. case for a laptop and a printer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203

Abstract

A self-contained portable networked computer system having integral storage, power and communications for all components of the networked computer system. The networked computer system comprises a network server fabricated within the walls of a carrying case also having compartments for storing portable (clamshell style) workstations and necessary cabling for power and communications to these workstations. The carrying case may be a brief case, a sample case, a suitcase, a metal case, a fiberglass case, a plastic case or any other type of case used for storage and transporting of papers, and/or equipment. The case may be small enough to slide under an airplane seat or be as large as a steamer trunk. The case may be waterproof, bullet proof, airtight, lockable, etc. The case may also be located in a transportation vehicle or a piece of furniture.

Claims

1. A networked computer system, comprising:

a portable case comprising inner and outer walls, the inner and outer walls having inner and outer faces, wherein the inner faces of the outer walls are facing the outer faces of the inner walls;

the inner faces of the outer walls and the outer faces of the inner walls are adapted for locating computer components therebetween;

the computer components being configured as a computer network server, the computer components disposed between the inner and outer faces of the outer and inner walls, respectively, of the portable case; and

a plurality of workstation compartments, each of the plurality of workstation compartments adapted for storing a workstation, wherein the plurality of workstation compartments are disposed between the inner faces of the inner walls of the portable case.

2. The networked computer system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of workstations.

3. The networked computer system of claim 2, wherein the workstation is a portable personal computer.

4. The networked computer system of claim 2, wherein the workstation has a self-contained battery for a power source.

5. The networked computer system of claim 2, further comprising at least one cable compartment for storing a plurality of cables, the cables being used for connecting the computer network server to the plurality of workstations.

6. The networked computer system of claim 5, further comprising a network hub for interconnecting the plurality of cables to the computer network server.

7. The networked computer system of claim 4, further comprising a battery charging circuit in each of the plurality of workstation compartments, the battery charging circuit adapted for charging the battery of the workstation.

8. The networked computer system of claim 7, wherein the battery charging circuit connects to the workstation when the workstation is placed in the workstation compartment.

9. The networked computer system of claim 1, wherein the computer components are selected from the group consisting of at least one central processing unit, random access memory, bus interface controllers, hard disks, compact disk (CD), floppy disk, network interface, modem, battery, battery charger, video interface, tape drive and power supply.

10. The networked computer system of claim 1, further comprising a handle on the portable case for ease in transportation.

11. The networked computer system of claim 1, further comprising wheels on the portable case for ease in transportation.

12. The networked computer system of claim 1, wherein the portable case fits under an airplane seat.

13. The networked computer system of claim 1, wherein the portable case is made from materials selected from the group consisting of metal, plastic, leather, nylon and graphite composites.

14. The networked computer system of claim 1, further comprising a wireless communications system for communicating with another computer network.

15. The networked computer system of claim 14, wherein the wireless communications system is selected from the group consisting of cellular, satellite and spread-spectrum at radio frequencies;

and infrared.

16. The networked computer system of claim 14, wherein an antenna for the wireless communications system is integral with the portable case.

17. A networked computer system, comprising:

a case comprising inner and outer walls, the inner and outer walls having inner and outer faces, wherein the inner faces of the outer walls are facing the outer faces of the inner walls;

the inner faces of the outer walls and the outer faces of the inner walls are adapted for locating computer components therebetween;

the computer components being configured as a computer network server, the computer components disposed between the inner and outer faces of the outer and inner walls, respectively, of the case; and

a plurality of workstation compartments, each of the plurality of workstation compartments adapted for storing a workstation, wherein the plurality of workstation compartments are disposed between the inner faces of the inner walls of the case.

18. The networked computer system of claim 17, wherein the case is in a transportation vehicle.

19. The networked computer system of claim 18, wherein the transportation vehicle is selected from the group consisting of an airplane, train, boat, bus, automobile, truck, spaceship, balloon, space station and submarine.

20. The networked computer system of claim 18, further comprising a wireless communications system for communicating with another computer network.

21. The networked computer system of claim 20, wherein the wireless communications system is selected from the group consisting of cellular, satellite and spread-spectrum at radio frequencies;

and infrared.

22. A networked computer system, comprising:

a case comprising inner and outer walls, the inner and outer walls having inner and outer faces, wherein the inner faces of the outer walls are facing the outer faces of the inner walls;

the inner faces of the outer walls and the outer faces of the inner walls are adapted for locating computer components therebetween;

the computer components being configured as a computer network server, the computer components disposed between the inner and outer faces of the outer and inner walls, respectively, of the case;

a plurality of workstation compartments, each of the plurality of workstation compartments adapted for storing a workstation, wherein the plurality of workstation compartments are disposed between the inner faces of the inner walls of the case; and

a piece of furniture having the case as an integral part of the piece of furniture.

23. The networked computer system of claim 22, wherein the piece of furniture is selected from the group consisting of a desk, table, credenza, cabinet, sofa and chair.

24. A method, in a networked computer system, comprising the steps of:

providing a case having inner and outer walls, the inner and outer walls having inner and outer faces, wherein the inner faces of the outer walls are facing the outer faces of the inner walls;

locating computer components between the inner faces of the outer walls and the outer faces of the inner walls;

configuring the computer components as a computer network server, the computer components being disposed between the inner and outer faces of the outer and inner walls, respectively, of the case; and

providing a plurality of workstation compartments, each of the plurality of workstation compartments adapted for storing a workstation, wherein the plurality of workstation compartments are disposed between the inner faces of the inner walls of the case.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising the step of providing a plurality of workstations.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the plurality of workstations are a plurality of portable personal computers.

27. The method of claim 25, further comprising the step of providing at least one cable compartment for storing a plurality of cables, the cables being used for connecting the computer network server to the plurality of workstations.

28. The method of claim 24, further comprising the step of providing a network hub for interconnecting the plurality of cables to the computer network server.

29. The method of claim 25, further comprising the step of providing a battery charging circuit in each of the plurality of workstation compartments, the battery charging circuit adapted for charging a battery of the workstation.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising the step of connecting the workstation to the battery charging circuit when the workstation is placed in the workstation compartment.

31. The method of claim 24, wherein the case is portable.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the portable case has wheels and a carrying handle.

33. The method of claim 24, wherein the case is in a transportation vehicle, and the transportation vehicle is selected from the group consisting of an airplane, train, subway, boat, bus, automobile, truck, spaceship, balloon, space station and submarine.

34. The method of claim 24, wherein the case is an integral part of a piece of furniture, and the piece of furniture is selected from the group consisting of a desk, table, credenza, cabinet, sofa and chair.

35. The method of claim 24, further comprising the step of communicating with another computer network.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the step of communicating with another computer network is by wireless communications.

37. The method of claim 36, where the step of communicating by wireless communications is selected from the group consisting of cellular, satellite and spread-spectrum at radio frequencies;

and infrared.