Mobile computer workstation

• US 7,990,691 B2
• Filed: 08/06/2010
• Issued: 08/02/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: InterMetro Industries Corporation (Ali Holding Srl)
• Original Assignee: InterMetro Industries Corporation (Ali Holding Srl)
• Inventors: Washington, Keith, Abu-Akel, Fouad Geries, Jacobs, Michael R., Clark, Richard A., Janoschka, Darin, Flemig, Steven B.
• Primary Examiner(s): DATSKOVSKIY, MICHAIL V
• Application Number:
  US12/852,097
• Publication Number:
  US 20100324379A1
• Time in Patent Office: 361 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679.01, 361/679.09, 361/679.21, 361/679.23, 361/679.41, 361/679.44, 361/688, 361/689, 312/223.1, 312/223.2, 312/223.3, 312/197, 312/236, 312/239, 312/208.2, 248/161, 248/404, 248676-678, 248/158, 248/370, 248/127, 248/129, 248/918, 248/919, 108/3, 108/25, 108/50.19, 108/50.11, 108/147, 108/150, 108/50.02, 348/14.01, 348/14.05, 348/14.08, 348/14.09, 348/14.1, 348 1411- 1414, 348/13, 348/14, 348/16, 379/37, 379/38, 379/106.21, 379/106.02
• US Class Current: 361/679.01
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1635 Details related to the integration of battery packs and other power supplies such as fuel cells or integrated AC adapter
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1637 Details related to the display arrangement, including those related to the mounting of the display in the housing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/166 related to integrated arrangements for adjusting the position of the main body with respect to the supporting surface, e.g. legs for adjusting the tilt angle
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1662 Details related to the integrated keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1686 the I/O peripheral being an integrated camera
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0045 concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/918 Ancillary device support associated with a video display screen

Abstract

A mobile workstation for use with a computer network. The mobile workstation may include a medical monitoring device, a radio transceiver in communication with the medical monitoring device operable for receiving and sending data to the computer network, a display screen, and a wheeled chassis for mounting the medical monitoring device, the radio transceiver and the display screen.

Claims

1. A mobile computer workstation, comprising:

a wheeled chassis including a beam having a substantially vertical first member and a second member slidably connected to the first member;

a substantially unencumbered work surface supported by the second member at a vertical height;

a display screen located above and off the work surface;

a computing device located off of the work surface;

an input device tray located proximate to and off of the work surface;

a power unit supported by the wheeled chassis; and

wherein the vertical height of the work surface changes when the second member moves relative to the first member.

2. The mobile computer workstation of claim 1, wherein the input device tray positions an input device in front of and below the work surface.

3. The mobile computer workstation of claim 1, wherein a power cable is routed within said vertical beam.

4. The mobile computer workstation of claim 1, wherein the power unit is disposed below the beam.

5. The mobile computer workstation of claim 1, further comprising:

a video camera, wherein the video camera is mounted on the display screen; and

a video-conferencing system.

6. The mobile computer workstation of claim 1, further comprising:

a second display screen located off of the work surface.

7. The mobile computer workstation of claim 1, further comprising a patient vital signs capture device comprising:

a sensor device; and

a control device, wherein the control device controls information from the sensor device.

8. The mobile computer workstation of claim 7, wherein the sensor device comprises one of a blood pressure cuff, a thermometry sensor, and a pulse oximetry sensor.

9. The mobile computer workstation according to claim 1, further comprising:

a radio transceiver; and

a medical monitoring device; and

wherein the radio transceiver is in communication with the medical monitoring device.

10. The mobile computer workstation of claim 1, further comprising means for controlling movement of the second member of the beam relative to the first member.

11. The mobile computer workstation of claim 10, wherein the means for controlling movement of the second member of the beam relative to the first member comprises one of a rack and pinion, a cable and pulley, a ratchet, a ball screw, a removable pin and holes arrangement, and a gas-spring.

12. The mobile computer workstation of claim 1, wherein the power unit is located at least partially below an upper surface of the wheels of the chassis.

13. The mobile computer workstation of claim 1, wherein the computing device is located within a housing of the display screen.

14. The mobile computer workstation of claim 1, wherein the work surface is defined by an upper surface of a substantially horizontal tray connected to the second member.

15. The mobile computer workstation of claim 14, wherein the computing device is disposed below the upper surface and at least partially within the tray.

16. A mobile computer workstation, comprising:

a chassis comprising a plurality of wheels and a linearly-extensible, substantially vertical beam having a first member and a second member in moveable contact with the first member;

a horizontally-oriented work surface supported by the second member at a vertical distance from the wheels;

an adjustable input device tray operably positionable near the work surface;

an adjustable display screen located above and off the work surface;

a computing device located off the work surface;

a power unit for supplying power to at least one of the computing device and the display screen, the power unit supported by the chassis below the beam;

wherein the distance between the work surface and the wheels changes when the second member moves relative to the first member while still maintaining the horizontal orientation of the work surface; and

wherein the adjustable input device tray, the adjustable display screen, and the computing device do not occupy a substantial portion of the work surface.

17. The mobile computer workstation of claim 16, wherein the input device tray positions an input device in front of and below the work surface.

18. The mobile computer workstation of claim 16, wherein a power cable is routed within said vertical beam.

19. The mobile computer workstation of claim 16, wherein the computing device is located within a housing of the display screen.

20. The mobile computer workstation of claim 16, further comprising means for controlling movement of the second member of the beam relative to the first member.

21. The mobile computer workstation of claim 20, wherein the means for controlling movement of the second member of the beam relative to the first member comprises of one of a rack and pinion, a cable and pulley, a ratchet, a ball screw, a removable pin and holes arrangement, and a gas-spring.

22. The mobile computer workstation of claim 16, wherein the work surface is defined by an upper surface of a substantially horizontal tray connected to the second member.

23. The mobile computer workstation of claim 22, wherein the computing device is disposed below the upper surface and at least partially within the tray.

24. The mobile computer workstation of claim 16, wherein the first member and the second member are telescopingly engaged.

25. A mobile computer workstation, comprising:

a wheeled chassis including a vertical beam having a first member connected to a dolly assembly and extending from the dolly assembly in a substantially vertical direction;

a second member slidably engaged with the first member;

a work surface supported by the second member at a vertical height above the dolly assembly;

a keyboard tray located proximate to the work surface;

a computing device located off the work surface;

a display screen located in an opening in the work surface and extending at least partially above the work surface; and

wherein the vertical height of the work surface changes when the second member moves along the first member.

26. The mobile computer workstation of claim 25, further comprising:

a videoconferencing system including said display screen and a video camera mounted to said wheeled chassis;

a radio transceiver mounted to said wheeled chassis and in communication with the videoconferencing system operable for receiving and sending data to a computer network.

27. The mobile computer workstation of claim 25, further comprising:

a medical monitoring device mounted to said wheeled chassis; and

a radio transceiver mounted to said wheeled chassis and in communication with the medical monitoring device operable for receiving and sending data to a computer network.

28. The mobile computer workstation of claim 25, further comprising a power unit located below the vertical beam.

29. The mobile computer workstation of claim 25, further comprising a power unit supported by the chassis.

30. The mobile computer workstation of claim 29, wherein the power unit is located below the vertical beam.

31. The mobile computer workstation of claim 30, wherein the power unit is located at least partially below an upper surface of the wheels of the chassis.

32. The mobile computer workstation of claim 25, wherein a power cable is routed within the vertical beam.

33. A mobile computer workstation, comprising:

a dolly assembly;

a beam having a first member supported by the dolly assembly and extending substantially vertically therefrom;

a second member slidably engaged with the first member;

a substantially horizontal tray connected to the second member, the tray having an upper surface, the upper surface defining a substantially horizontal work surface;

an adjustable display screen;

a computing device located off the work surface;

an adjustable input device tray;

a power unit supported adjacent the dolly assembly for supplying power to at least one of the computing device and the display screen; and

wherein the work surface is substantially free from the adjustable display screen, the computing device, and the adjustable input device tray, and maintains its substantially horizontal orientation when the second member moves relative to the first member.

34. The mobile computer workstation of claim 33, wherein the computing device is disposed below the upper surface and at least partially within the tray.

35. The mobile computer workstation of claim 33, wherein the computing device is located within a housing of the display screen.

36. The mobile computer workstation of claim 33, wherein the display screen is located in an opening in the work surface, and the display screen extends at least partially above the work surface.

37. The mobile computer workstation of claim 33, further comprising means for controlling movement of the second member of the beam relative to the first member.

38. The mobile computer workstation of claim 37, wherein the means for controlling movement of the second member of the beam relative to the first member comprises one of a rack and pinion, a cable and pulley, a ratchet, a ball screw, a removable pin and holes arrangement, and a gas-spring.

39. The mobile computer workstation of claim 33, wherein a power cable is routed within the vertical beam.