Flip-open wearable computer

• US 9,678,536 B2
• Filed: 12/09/2015
• Issued: 06/13/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hand Held Products Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hand Held Products Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Harr, Deborah Lynn
• Primary Examiner(s): Edmonds, Lisa Lea
• Application Number:
  US14/963,294
• Publication Number:
  US 20160179132A1
• Time in Patent Office: 552 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• 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 1/166 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

Abstract

A wearable computer may include a housing that rotates in relation to a rear cover to selectively allow access to a battery. The wearable computer may be secured to a user'"'"'s extremity by a mounting strap extending from the rear cover. The housing is rotatable between a first orientation and a second orientation. In the first orientation, the rear cover extends along the rear surface of the housing, and a latching assembly allows a user to selectively secure the housing to the cover. In the second orientation, the rear surface of the housing extends at an angle from the rear cover, allowing a user access to the battery without removing the housing from the user'"'"'s extremity. A data cable connected to an input/output port on the rear surface can be routed out of a side of the housing.

Claims

1. A wearable computer apparatus, comprising:

a housing, the housing comprising;

a front surface and a rear surface;

a display on the front surface of the housing; and

a battery recess on the rear surface of the housing;

a battery; and

a rear cover connected to the housing, the rear cover having an inner surface;

wherein the battery is removably attached within the battery recess;

wherein the housing is rotatable in relation to the rear cover from (i) a first closed orientation whereby the rear surface of the housing is positioned adjacent the inner surface of the rear cover to (ii) a second open orientation whereby the housing extends at an angle from the rear cover.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rear cover is connected to the housing by a hinge.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the housing and the rear cover are elongated, and the hinge extends along a longitudinal edge of the housing and the cover.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, comprising at least one mounting mechanism extending from the housing, the at least one mounting mechanism being securable around an extremity of a user.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the battery is accessible to the user for replacement in the second open orientation without removing the housing from the secured position on the extremity.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, comprising a latching assembly configured and arranged to selectively secure the housing to the cover in the first orientation.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the hinge comprises mating hinge portions respectively integrated into the housing and rear cover.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the hinge includes a limit stop to automatically orient the housing relative to the cover in the second open orientation.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the battery and recess are configured and arranged such that a rear surface of the battery is substantially flush with the rear surface of the housing when the battery is received within the recess.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a keypad on the front surface of the housing.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising at least one input/output port located on the rear surface of the housing;

and

a routing channel in the rear surface of the housing extending from the input/output port to a side edge of the housing whereby a data cable inserted into the input/output port can be routed from the input/output port to a side edge of the housing.

12. A wearable computer apparatus, comprising:

a housing, the housing including (i) a front surface and a rear surface, (ii) a display on the front surface of the housing, (iii) a battery recess on the rear surface of the housing, and (iv) a battery removably attached within the battery recess and configured such that a rear surface of the battery is substantially flush with the rear surface of the housing;

a rear cover connected to the housing by a hinge; and

at least one mounting mechanism extending from the rear cover, the mounting mechanism being securable around an extremity of a user;

wherein the housing is rotatable about the hinge in relation to the rear cover from (i) a first closed orientation whereby the rear surface of the housing is positioned adjacent the inner surface of the rear cover to (ii) a second open orientation whereby the housing extends at an angle from the rear cover;

wherein the battery is accessible to the user for replacement in the second open orientation without removing the housing from the secured position on the extremity.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, comprising a latching assembly configured and arranged to selectively secure the housing to the cover in the first orientation.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the mounting mechanism comprises at least one strap.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the hinge comprises mating hinge portions respectively integrated into the housing and rear cover.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the hinge includes a limit stop to automatically orient the housing relative to the cover in the second open orientation.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, comprising at least one input/output port located on the rear surface of the housing, and a routing channel in the rear surface of the housing extending from the input/output port to a side edge of the housing whereby a data cable inserted into the input/output port can be routed from the input/output port to a side edge of the housing.

18. A wearable computer apparatus, comprising:

a housing, the housing including (i) a front surface and a rear surface, (ii) a display on the front surface of the housing, (iii) a battery recess on the rear surface of the housing, (iv) a battery removably attached within the battery recess and configured such that a rear surface of the battery is substantially flush with the rear surface of the housing, and (v) a latching assembly;

a rear cover connected to the housing by a hinge; and

at least one mounting strap extending from the rear cover, the mounting strap being securable around an extremity of a user;

wherein the housing is rotatable about the hinge in relation to the rear cover from (i) a first closed orientation whereby the rear surface of the housing is positioned adjacent the inner surface of the rear cover to (ii) a second open orientation whereby the housing extends at an angle from the rear cover;

wherein the battery is accessible to the user for replacement in the second open orientation without removing the housing from the secured position on the extremity;

wherein the latching assembly is configured and arranged to selectively secure the housing to the cover in the first orientation.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the hinge includes a limit stop to automatically orient the housing relative to the cover in the second open orientation.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, comprising at least one input/output port located on the rear surface of the housing, and a routing channel in the rear surface of the housing extending from the input/output port to a side edge of the housing whereby a data cable inserted into the input/output port can be routed from the input/output port to a side edge of the housing.