Mobile body-supported computer with battery

#The present application relates to a mobile computer and, more specifically, to a novel user-supported computer with an integral battery that can be operated in a hands-free manner.

#It is known to use wearable or user-supported computers that can be operated in a hands-free manner; an example is the MOBILE ASSISTANT by Xybernaut Corporation. An important feature of these computers is that they permit the user to have freedom to use his or her hands for repairing or other manual functions while still able to use a fully functional computer. As above noted, one of the most well known of these user supported computers is the MOBILE ASSISTANT, computer line available from Xybernaut Corporation of Fairfax, Va. MOBILE ASSISTANT is a registered trademark of Xybernaut Corporation.

#Xybernaut-owned U.S. Pat. No. 5,305,244 (Newman I) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,844,824 (Newman II) describe the details and components used in said user-supported computers. U.S. Pat. No. 5,844,824 (Newman II) describes and claims several hands-free activation means and other significant improvements or modifications in user supported computers. Both U.S. Newman I and Newman II are owned by the assignee of the present application and both describe in one embodiment where a rigid computer that has all components in a single housing. The disclosure of U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,305,244 and 5,844,824 are incorporated by reference in the present disclosure.

#FIG. 1 is a perspective top view of a first embodiment of this invention having the integral battery on the back side of the computer housing.

#FIG. 2 is a top section top plan view of an embodiment of the computer of this invention.

#FIG. 3 is a top section top plan view of an embodiment of the computer of this invention without the battery in place showing the spring loaded locking mechanism, and battery compartment.

#Discussion of the invention will now be made with specific references to the drawing figures. In FIG. 1, a mobile user supported computer 1 is shown in a substantially rectangular form (any suitable form may be used) having a front portion 2, a bottom portion 3 (closest to the user's body), a back portion 4 and side portions 5. Heat sinks 6 may be used if desired on any portion of the housing 7 to assist in venting heat from the interior of housing 7. The heat insulating grille 8 is shown in this embodiment as covering just the front portion 2 of the housing 7; however, the grille 8 can be on at least one portion but can be on any or all exposed portions of housing 7. Grille 8 is constructed in this embodiment of a plurality of rectangular openings 9 that are configured to vent heat from the surface(s) of housing 7; this heat is generated within housing 7 by the CPU and other computer components. Cross bars 10 are made of any suitable substantially non-heat conducting material such as some plastics such as ABS resin, FRP resin, rubber, wood, silk, Styrofoam, fiberglass or any other suitable heat insulating material. The integral battery is shown as item number 11. The battery is encased at least partially in a similar thermally non-conductive material as is the cross bars 10. FIG. 2 is a top section top plan view of an embodiment of the computer of this invention showing the integral battery 11.

#FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2, but without the battery showing the spring loaded locking mechanism and the battery compartment 30. The actuating mechanism 31 slides laterally which causes the release mechanism 32 to eject the battery 11.

#FIG. 4 shows a exemplary circuit diagram of the hot swappable feature of the present invention. The main system bus 40 is serially connected to the integral battery 41, a capacitor 42 and resistor 43 and a switch 44. When the switch is in the A position, the computer is powered by the battery and the capacitor is in a charging state. When the battery needs to be replaced, it is disconnected, thereby causing the switch to be in the B position. In this position, the capacitor is being discharged and powering the computer. When a new battery is inserted into the computer, the switch is flipped to position A and the capacitor recharges. The auxiliary power supplied by the capacitor can be optimized for the user's particular needs by adjusting the values of the resistor and capacitor.