Wearable computer-battery system

• US 6,529,372 B1
• Filed: 08/17/2001
• Issued: 03/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: XYBERNAUT CORPORATION
• Inventors: Ronzani, Peter A., Hong, Peter S., Ng, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Vortman, Anatoly
• Application Number:
  US09/932,591
• Publication Number:
  US 20030035266A1
• Time in Patent Office: 564 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679-686, 361/724-731, 361/733, 361/747, 312/223.2, 345/168, 345/169, 429/96-100
• US Class Current: 361/679.03
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt

Abstract

This invention uses a portable computer housing with a battery holder connected directly onto this battery housing. This arrangement does away with the need for cumbersome connecting cables or wires and places the battery at a location where it could be easily changed or removed. The housing and holder have mating electrical connectors so that they can be in electrical connection without need for wires, cables or other clumsy connectors.

Claims

1. A wearable computer system comprising a computer housing having cableless connection means to an attached battery holder, said computer housing being a rigid computer housing comprising a single internal compartment that houses substantially all of the components of a conventional computer, said housing having said battery holder attached thereto with connecting means at a location on said housing other than an inner side which is immediately adjacent the user'"'"'s body, said battery holder having means to conveniently remove and replace a battery while said wearable computer is in use or being worn by the user.

2. The computer system of claim 1 having communication means in contact therewith.

3. The computer system of claim 1 wherein said housing has an electrical connection on a housing portion other than said inner side, said battery holder having a mate to said electrical connection to thereby provide means for a battery in said battery holder to provide electrical energy to said computer system.

4. The computer system of claim 1 wherein said battery holder comprises two complementary compartments, each of said compartments forming one-half of said housing, said compartments when abutting and adjacent each other having means to house one battery, each of said compartments movably connected to the other compartment, each of said compartments having separate battery connectors in electrical contact with each other and with an external battery holder connector.

5. The computer system of claim 1 wherein said connecting means is a five pin connector.

6. The computer system of claim 1 wherein said housing and said battery holder are immediately attached to each other via said connecting means, and wherein the housing and holder are in physical contact with each other.

7. The computer system of claim 1 wherein said battery holder is in contact with a forward side of said housing.

8. The computer system of claim 1 wherein said battery holder is in contact with a back side of said housing.

9. The computer system of claim 1 wherein said battery holder is in contact with a bottom side of said housing.

10. The computer system of claim 1 wherein said battery holder and said housing are in electrical contact with a strip extending beneath at least a portion of each of said holder and housing.

11. The computer system of claim 1 having means for electrical contact of said battery holder and said computer housing with a member selected from the group consisting of five wire means, USB, built-in wireless means, PCMCIA means, compact flash means, communication means, and mixtures thereof.

12. A wearable computer system comprising a computer housing, a battery holder and connecting means for electrical contact of said housing with said holder, said connecting means located on an exterior portion of said housing with a mating connecting means located on an exterior portion of said battery holder, said computer housing containing all of the components of a conventional computer except for a display, both said computer housing and said battery holder having means for attachment to a user.

13. The computer system of claim 12 having communication means in contact therewith.

14. The computer system of claim 12 wherein said housing has an electrical connection on a housing portion other than said inner side, said battery holder having a mate to said electrical connection to thereby provide means for a battery in said battery holder to provide electrical energy to said computer system.

15. The computer system of claim 12 wherein said battery holder comprises two complementary compartments, each of said compartments forming one-half of said housing, said compartments when abutting and adjacent each other having means to house one battery, each of said compartments movably connected to the other compartment, each of said compartments having separate battery connectors in electrical contact with each other and with an external holder connector.

16. The computer system of claim 12 wherein said connecting means is a five pin connector.

17. The computer system of claim 12 wherein said housing and said battery holder are immediately attached to each other via said connecting means, and wherein the housing and holder are in physical contact with each other.

18. The computer system of claim 12 wherein said battery holder is in contact with a forward side of said housing.

19. The computer system of claim 12 wherein said battery holder is in contact with a back side of said housing.

20. The computer system of claim 12 wherein said battery holder is in contact with a bottom side of said housing.

21. The computer system of claim 12 wherein said battery holder and said housing are in electrical contact with a strip extending beneath at least a portion of each of said holder and housing.

22. The computer system of claim 12 having means for electrical contact of said battery holder and said computer housing with a member selected from the group consisting of PCMCIA means, compact flash means, communication means, and mixtures thereof.

23. The computer system of claim 12 having securing means to hold said housing and said holder firmly together.