Mobile computer workstation

• US 8,526,176 B2
• Filed: 07/26/2011
• Issued: 09/03/2013
• 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: Clark, Richard A., Jacobs, Michael R., Flemig, Steven B., Abu-Akel, Fouad Geries, Janoschka, Darin, Washington, Keith
• Primary Examiner(s): Datskovskiy, Michail V
• Application Number:
  US13/190,716
• Publication Number:
  US 20110279958A1
• Time in Patent Office: 770 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679.01, 361/679.02, 361/679.21, 361/679.23, 361/679.41, 361/679.44, 361/679.55, 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, 108/50.02, 108/147, 108/150, 348/14.01, 348/14.05, 348/14.08, 348/14.09, 348/14.1, 348 1411- 1416, 379/37, 379/38, 379/106.21, 379/106.02
• US Class Current: 361/679.41
• 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 computer workstation for use with a computer network is disclosed. The workstation can include a wheeled chassis having a vertical beam that supports a horizontal work surface. An input device tray is located at a front side of the work surface and a bracket located at a rear side of the work surface mounts a display screen to the workstation above and off the work surface. A power unit including a battery charger and a battery is mounted to the chassis and supplies power to the display screen.

Claims

1. A mobile computer workstation, comprising:

a chassis comprising a dolly assembly having a plurality of wheels and a variable length, telescopingly adjustable vertical beam;

a planar, horizontal work surface supported by the beam at a variable height above the wheels, the height corresponding to the length of the vertical beam;

a keyboard tray located adjacent to a front side of the work surface that is operable to position a keyboard in front of and below the work surface;

a computer and display screen, the computer and display screen comprising a common housing;

a bracket located adjacent to a rear side of the work surface opposite to the front side mounting the computer and display screen to the workstation, the bracket attaching to the housing and positioning the computer and display screen above and off the work surface, the bracket enabling the computer and display screen to rotate about an axis generally parallel to the work surface; and

a power unit for supplying power to the computer and display screen, the power unit being mounted to the chassis and comprising a battery charger, a battery, and at least one of a visual or audible indicator relating to a charge status of the battery.

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

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

4. The mobile computer workstation of claim 1, further comprising means for controlling the length of the vertical beam.

5. The mobile computer workstation of claim 4, wherein the means for controlling the length of the vertical beam 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.

6. The mobile computer workstation of claim 1, wherein the work surface is defined by an upper surface of a substantially horizontal tray.

7. The mobile computer workstation of claim 1, wherein the power unit is mounted to the chassis below a lower end of the vertical beam.

8. A mobile computer workstation, comprising:

a chassis comprising a dolly assembly having a plurality of wheels and a adjustable length, telescoping beam;

means for adjusting the length of the beam;

a planar, horizontal work surface supported by the beam at a variable height above the wheels, the height corresponding to the length of the beam;

a keyboard tray located adjacent to a front side of the work surface;

a display screen comprising a housing;

a bracket located adjacent to a rear side of the work surface opposite to the front side, the bracket mounting the display screen to the workstation, the bracket attaching to the housing and positioning the display screen above and off the work surface; and

a power unit for supplying power to the display screen, the power unit being mounted to the chassis beneath the vertical beam and comprising a battery charger, a battery and a visual indicator corresponding to a charge status of the battery.

9. The mobile computer workstation of claim 8, wherein a power cable is routed within the vertical beam.

10. The mobile computer workstation of claim 8, wherein the keyboard tray is operable to position a keyboard in front of and below the work surface.

11. The mobile computer workstation of claim 8, wherein the means for adjusting the length of the beam 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.

12. The mobile computer workstation of claim 8, further comprising:

a video conferencing system comprising a second display screen comprising a second housing, the bracket mounting the second display screen to the workstation, the bracket attaching to the second housing and positioning the second display screen above and off the work surface.

13. The mobile computer workstation of claim 12, wherein the video conferencing system further comprises a video camera located above the display screens.

14. The mobile computer workstation of claim 8, further comprising:

a medical monitoring device attached to the bracket, the medical monitoring device comprising a radio transceiver operable for receiving and sending data between the medical monitoring device and a computer network.

15. A mobile computer workstation, comprising:

a chassis comprising a dolly assembly having a plurality of wheels and a linearly extensible, vertical beam;

a planar, horizontal work surface supported by the beam at a variable height above the wheels, the height corresponding to the extension of the beam;

a keyboard tray adjacent to a front side of the work surface;

a display screen comprising a housing;

a bracket located adjacent to a rear side of the work surface opposite to the front side, the bracket mounting the display screen to the workstation, the bracket attaching to the housing and positioning the display screen above and off the work surface; and

a power unit for supplying power to the display screen, the power unit being mounted to the chassis and comprising a battery charger and a battery.

16. The mobile computer workstation of claim 15, further comprising means for extending the vertical beam comprising 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.

17. The mobile computer workstation of claim 16 wherein the beam comprises at least two telescoping members.

18. The mobile computer workstation of claim 15, further comprising:

a video conferencing system comprising a second display screen and a video camera, the second display screen comprising a second housing, the bracket mounting the second display screen to the workstation, the bracket attaching to the second housing and positioning the second display screen above and off the work surface.

19. The mobile computer workstation of claim 15, further comprising:

a medical monitoring device attached to the bracket, the medical monitoring device comprising a radio transceiver operable for receiving and sending data between the medical monitoring device and a computer network.