Wearable computer system

• US 6,798,391 B2
• Filed: 01/02/2001
• Issued: 09/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/02/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Johns Hopkins University, RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: XYBERNAUT CORPORATION
• Inventors: Peterson, III, Frederick A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shalwala, Bipin
• Assistant Examiner(s): PIZIALI, JEFFREY J
• Application Number:
  US09/752,653
• Publication Number:
  US 20020084990A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,365 Days
• Field of Search: 345/7, 345/8, 345/9, 361/683, 361/685, 361/686, 361/730, 361/679, 361/680, 361/724, 361/727, 381/301, 381/376, 381/309, 381/373, 381/385, 381/370, 340/555, 340/557, 340/600, 340/980, 250/206.2, 250/216, 250/214.A, 250/225, 250/336.1
• US Class Current: 345/8
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt

Abstract

This invention involves a wearable computer having computer components movably located in a collar that the user wears around his or her neck. The computer components can be a display or monitor, or a microphone or any other computer component.

Claims

1. A user-supported computer system comprising a user-supported general purpose computer attached to a wearable collar, said system comprising said wearable collar having computer components longitudinally enclosed therein, said collar having means to fit around the neck of a user and comprising electrical connection means in electrical contact with said general purpose computer, said computer components movably enclosed longitudinally within said collar at a location where they can be extended outside said collar when in use and having means when used to be moved adjacent said user'"'"'s face, wherein said user-supported general purpose computer includes an enclosure containing central processing unit, internal storage, memory, display controller, input/output connectors, peripheral connection ports.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said computer components are selected from the group consisting of a display, at least one earphone, a microphone and mixtures thereof.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said at least one earphone and said microphone are enabled to function as a cellular phone.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein said at least one earphone and said microphone are enabled to function as a radio.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said computer is enabled to be activated from the group consisting of voice activation.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said collar is attached to a separate article of clothing.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said collar is attached to a separate article of clothing, said article of clothing having means in electrical contact with said collar and said computer components enclosed therein.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said computer components are supported by adjustable arms, said collar having means for said arms to extend through said collar.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein said collar has connection means for attachment to additional pieces of clothing.

10. The system of claim 2 wherein said at least one earphone are supported by a flexible supporting arm, and whereby said display is supported by a separate supporting arm.

11. A user-supported voice activated hands-free computer system comprising a user-supported conventional computer and a collar in electrical connection to said conventional computer, said collar comprising means to longitudinally enclose and to provide electrical contact to computer components enclosed therein, said computer components movably enclosed within said collar at a position where they can be extended outside said collar to be positioned in contact with or adjacent to the face of the user, wherein said user-supported general purpose computer includes an enclosure containing central processing unit, internal storage, memory, display controller, input/output connectors, peripheral connection ports.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein said collar is configured to fit around the periphery of the neck of the user.

13. The system of claim 11 wherein said collar is configured for support by the shoulders of the user.

14. The system of claim 11 wherein said computer components are selected from the group consisting of a display, at least one earphone, and a microphone and mixtures thereof.

15. The system of claim 11 wherein said collar is attached to a separate article of clothing.

16. The system of claim 11 wherein said collar is attached to a separate article of clothing, said article of clothing having means in electrical contact with said collar and said computer computers enclosed within.

17. The system of claim 11 wherein said computer components are supported by adjustable arms, said collar having means for said arms extend through said collar.

18. The system of claim 11 wherein said collar has connection means for attachment to additional pieces of clothing.

19. The system of claim 14 wherein said at least one earphone are supported by a flexible supporting arm and wherein said display is supported by a separate supporting arm.

20. A user-supported computer system comprising a general purpose computer that is user-supported and a wearable dickey in electrical connection to said general purpose computer, said dickey having attached thereto a collar configured to fit around the neck of a user, said collar also comprising means for electrical contact with said general purpose computer and movable enclosed within said collar are computer components selected from the group consisting of a display means, at least one earpiece, a microphone and mixtures thereof, said dickey having components to house said general purpose computer, wherein said user-supported general purpose computer includes an enclosure containing central processing unit, internal storage, memory, display controller, input/output connectors, peripheral connection ports.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein said dickey has internal wiring to electrically connect computer component of said system.

22. A user-supported computer system comprising a user-wearable detachable collar, said collar comprising computer system components housed therein, said components configured to conform to an outline of said user'"'"'s neck and having openings therein where said components can outwardly extend when said computer system is in use, wherein said user-supported general purpose computer includes an enclosure containing central processing unit, internal storage, memory, display controller, input/output connectors, peripheral connection ports.

23. The system of claim 22 wherein said components are selected from the group consisting of a display, at least one earphone, and a microphone and mixtures thereof.