Computer apparatus for use by senior citizens
AssigneeClaris Healthcare Inc.
InventorsGeof Auchinleck, Paul Sharman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for enclosing a tablet computer and for simplifying operation of the computer by senior citizens is described. The enclosure receives and supports a conventional table computer but purposefully occludes or blocks access to selected user-activated controls on the tablet such as the on-off switch, and control zone regions of the touch screen regions of the display. The enclosure is supported in a stand and includes speakers to amplify sound played through the tablet, and rechargeable batteries.
Claims12
An enclosure for a tablet computer having plural user-activated control surfaces and including a touch-sensitive display screen having touch-sensitive user-activated control surfaces located therein, said enclosure comprising:
- a frame adapted for receiving and partially enclosing the tablet computer and having a central opening through which a portion of the display screen is exposed and wherein said frame occludes selected user-activated control surfaces including user-activated control surfaces located in said touch-sensitive display screen so that a user cannot activate said occluded user-activated control surfaces;
- and
- a charger stand having an upright support plate with at least one pair of magnets therein, and wherein the enclosure includes a rear surface that faces the support plate and the rear surface includes at least one pair of magnets positioned to mate with the at least one pair of magnets in the upright support plate.
A method of controlling the operation of a tablet computer that has plural user-activated control surfaces located on a touch-sensitive display screen, comprising the steps of:
- a. installing the tablet computer in a frame adapted for receiving and partially enclosing said tablet computer and such that a desired portion of said display screen is visible through a central opening in said frame and such that said frame physically occludes selected user-activated control surfaces including a selected portion of said touch-sensitive display screen to prevent operation of said selected user-activated control surfaces by a user's finger, and wherein said frame includes a rear surface with a pair of magnets and electrical contacts connected to a battery for said tablet computer;
- b. providing a stand having an upright support plate with a pair of magnets and electrical contacts connected to a power supply;
- and
- c. positioning the frame on the support stand so the such that the pair of magnets on the rear surface of the frame mate with the pair of magnets in the upright support plate and the electrical contacts on the frame make electrical contact with the electrical contacts on the upright support plate to thereby charge the battery.
An enclosure for a tablet computer having plural user-activated control surfaces and a touch-sensitive display screen, said enclosure comprising:
- a frame adapted for receiving the tablet computer and defining a central opening through which a select portion of the display screen is exposed and wherein said frame occludes selected user-activated control surfaces including selected portions of the touch-sensitive display screen so that a user cannot activate said occluded control surfaces;
- a stand for supporting the frame at a desired orientation;
- first electrical contacts on said stand positioned to make electrical contact with second electrical contacts on said frame when the frame is supported on said stand;
- a magnet on the stand and a magnet on the frame located to mate with the magnet on the stand when the frame is supported on said stand, wherein the first and second electrical contacts are brought into alignment and electrical contact when the magnets mate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.