CA2135771A1 - Flexible wearable computer - Google Patents
Flexible wearable computerInfo
- Publication number
- CA2135771A1 CA2135771A1 CA002135771A CA2135771A CA2135771A1 CA 2135771 A1 CA2135771 A1 CA 2135771A1 CA 002135771 A CA002135771 A CA 002135771A CA 2135771 A CA2135771 A CA 2135771A CA 2135771 A1 CA2135771 A1 CA 2135771A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- flexible
- computer
- computing
- elements
- module
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
- G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
- G06F1/1613—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers
- G06F1/163—Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A41—WEARING APPAREL
- A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
- A41D1/00—Garments
- A41D1/002—Garments adapted to accommodate electronic equipment
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
- H05K1/00—Printed circuits
- H05K1/02—Details
- H05K1/14—Structural association of two or more printed circuits
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
- H05K1/00—Printed circuits
- H05K1/18—Printed circuits structurally associated with non-printed electric components
- H05K1/189—Printed circuits structurally associated with non-printed electric components characterised by the use of a flexible or folded printed circuit
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
- H05K3/00—Apparatus or processes for manufacturing printed circuits
- H05K3/36—Assembling printed circuits with other printed circuits
- H05K3/361—Assembling flexible printed circuits with other printed circuits
Abstract
A flexible wearable computer in the form of a belt comprising in combination, elements for computing comprising a microprocessor module (200), a RAM-I/O module (300), a plurality of mass memory modules (400), a power supply module (500), and a plurality of bus termination modules (100) operationally associated with a plurality of flexible signal relaying means (002a, 002b, 002c, 002d, 002e, 002f). The computing elements are mechanically associated with a flexible nonstretchable member (004), and a protective covering means (006). The flexible nonstretchable wearable member (004) is secured around the waist by belt latches (005a, 005b). An inpout and output device (060) is connected to the flexible wearable computer by the I-O bus (061) attached to the output and input ports (326) and (327), respectively.
Description
~ ~W093/2~01 2 1 ~ 5 7 7 1 PCT/~S9~/0463~
FLE~IBLE WE~RABLE COM2UTER
Background-Field of Invention This invention relates generally to the field of portable computers, and more specifically to a flexible, wearable computer that can be worn on the body and repeatedly bent in an infinite number of planes without failure of operation.
Background-Description of Prior Art Definitions A computer system is defined as comprising three basic components: an input device, an output device, and a computer. A computer is defined as comprising memory, a processor, and associated support circuitry and components. ~emory comprises main memory which is volatile, and mass storage memory which is usually nonvolatile. A portable computer system is one that the user can easily carry around. Throughout this text the author will refer to a computer to mean only and specifically the main and secondary storage memory, ~he processor, and a power supply. The author will also use volume to characterize both the size and the mass of computers. This is because the overall density of sili~on-based computers is asymptotic to a constant. Therefore, volume will necessarily indicate a maximum weight.
Integration Small and therefore portable computers have resulted from the intersection of innovations and inventions across a wide variety of domains and WO93~2~01 2 1 3 5 ~ 7 1 PCT/ US93/04636~ ~ 1 fields including the arts of silicon manipulation, and mechanical and electrical design, and component integration. Integration is the process of decreasing the ~ize of and the space between electrical elements, and it has been the pathway to power reduction and speed But siz`e reduction accrued benefits independent of processing power. Computers that once required buildings to house and small power plants to run can now be comfortably lifted with one hand. Since integration and therefore miniaturization has brought nearly all of the advances in service levels to date, it is the major force in the creation of the prior art in portable computing and the direction of future advancement for computer construction in general.
There has been tremendous innovation and invention using integration as a means of making computers portable. Computers are available that are small enough to be lifted by one finger. The result has been explosive demand for portable computing devices. Dataquest predicts that by ~994 sales of portable computing devices will be well over $13 -~
billion (Byte, volume 16, number Il, pl94).
"Picocomputers" are the state of the art of integration as a mèans of creating portable co~puters (New York Times, March 23, 1992). Inventors such as M. E. Jones, Jr. have developed a single chip that contain all of the elements needed for a computer.
This has allowed creation of computer systems that can fit in the breast pocket of a man's jacket and run for 100 hour~ on a con~entional flashlight battery. The major limitations of these computer systems is that they have very small amounts of memory greatly limiting the usefulness of the device for tasks to which most computer users are ' WO93/2~01 ~ 2 1 3 5 7 7 1 PCT/US93/~636 accustomed. They also have very small input and output devices which are slow and inconvenient to use.
Useful Portables Other innovations include computers with increased processing abilities that must be carried -with one hand. These rigid rectilinear-shaped devices fall into the classes lap-top, palm-top or hand-held computers and increase the processing and memory capacity of the picocomputer by including the required processors and memory power in a larger enclosure. For the episodic portable computer user that spends little time actually carrying these de~ices, these rigid rectilinear devices provide high levels of service rivaling desk-top micro and minicomputers. For the intensive user that processes large amounts of data and must also carry the computer for long periods time, these devices have several disadvantages.
First, research has shown that people carrying these computers for long periods of time are pron~ to flexi carpi ulnaris tendoni~is which can be painful and debilitating. This affliction is due to prolonged and simultaneous clenching of the fingers and flexing of the wrist, an action unavoidable when carrying these devices.
Second, for intensive data acquisition applications, size once again is a constraint. The amount of secondary memory required for implementation makes this option impractical for portable computers in rigid rectilinear packaging.
On-board memory requirements have been sidestepped by including wireless data link,s to a host computer for WO93/2~01 2 1 3 S 7 7 1 PCT/US93/0463 down-loading data. However, these options are very costly, up to the cost of the computer itself, and increase the volume of the devices by as much as a factor of two. Furthermore, wireless communication is presently a very slow data transfer process.
Third, field service research for Rockwell International has demonstrated that user compliance of rigid rectilinear hand-carried and hand-held computers is low, and gets lower as the size of the device increases. Field service personnel expressed considerable displeasure with having to lug a "brick"
around during the execution of their task. Most notably it restricted the use of their hands by virtue of one, or both being used to carry the 1~ computer.
Wearable Portables There has been innovation and in~ention to harnes~ rigid rectilinear computers on various parts of the body. Reddy Information Systems Inc. has produced a computer called Red Figure 1 that has a head mounted output device (A~ from Reflection Technologies called the Pri~ate Eye, and a bel~-mounted rigid rectilinear-packaged computer and input device (B) secured by a belt harness (C) (New York Times, March 29, 1992). Infogrip Inc. and Select Tech Inc have combined technologies to produce the Hip Pc in a similar ~onfiguration.
There are two main disadvantages to this approach. First, harnessing a rigid rectilinear-packaged computer anywhere on the body creates an uneven load on the spine. Prolonged wearing of such devices creates strain in the supporting muscles opposite the place where the compute~ is harnessed.
~r~ ;~r~x~ ,~X~ X, ,~ ;".,~ ,."" s, ,,;, " ",~
'- WO93/23801 21~ 7 1 PCT/US93/04636 Second, these configurations do not allow the human body to comfortably contact a firm qurface. The rigid rectilinear computer on a harness or belt is literally a lump on the surface of the body. Lastly, rigid rectilinear designs are inherently limited in expandability. To increa~e processing power, hardware size must be increased. There is a volume limit beyond which the computer is no longer portable. `
There has been innovation and invention to make computers more comfortable_to wear. Hideji Takemasa of NEC Corp has created a variety of rigid curvilinear-packaged computer models that conform to ~arious parts of the body Figure 2 (Fortune, January 13, 1992). These devices include a processor and CD-ROM reader (D), and a fold out input/output device (E,F). Although aesthetically more appealing than the rigid rectilinear lumps of the Red and Hip PC
models, the NEC models nonetheless suffer the same disadvantages. The NEC curvilinear designs are rigid and dynamically nonconforming and subject the spine to uneven loading. They also do not allow comfortable contact of the human body with firm surfaces. Furthermore, these rigid, curvilinear designs must be made in many cizes since it is technically impossible to make one of these designs fit all human morphologies. They are also inherently limited in expandability just as the rigid rectilinear designs.
Summary of Invention The present invention exemplifies a new and unobvious art of a flexible wearable computer.
Briefly and generally, the flexible wearable computer W093/2~01 ~ 1 3 5 7 7 1 PCT/US93/~636 comprises a microprocessor, memory, an input~output -:
controller, and a power supply operably associated with one another through a flexible signal relaying ::.
means. The assembly is supported by a tensile load bearing means and protected by a compreQsive load bearing means. The microprocessor, memory, input/output controller, and power supply are mechanically associated in a module assembly such that the flexible wearable computer can bend in an infinite number of planes without failure of ~peration.
Objects and Ad~antages The most important advantage of the flexible wearable computer is that it will always pro~ide greater utility than rigid designs for those users that must carry their computer around while processing large amounts of data, regardless of the state of the art of integration and miniaturization.
That i9, regardless of how much computer power can be deli~ered in a given rigid package, providing a flexible wearable compu~er allows more of that computer power to be comfortably carried by the user.
For example, even if a Cray super computer can be reduced to the size of a wrist watch, the intensi~e computer user will find more utility in a flexible computer that is an array of the microprocessors in the wristwatch-sized Cray that is fashioned for instance as a comfortable ~est.
This relationship can be mathematically demonstrated with a common market model adapted for computer power demand. Refer now to equation ~1~
Q-c-aP+bS (1) ~WO93/23801 2 1 3 S 7 7 1 PCT/US93/04636 where, Q = total amount of computers demanded in a specified context;
P - the price of computers sold in the marketplace for that context;
S - the service level provided by computers in that context.
The service level of a computer for any specified context is related to the number of useful operations per second (UOPS). This value is driven by se~eral factors including the elegance of the program, memory size and access time, and raw processing speed. Service level is also related to ~olume. Volume is less critical when a user does not need to carry the computer. It b~comes a major determinant when a user must be ambulatory while using a computer.
Service level can be defined as ( ~ ) ) (2) B ~person where, F = min{V~, VI };
V8 = volume of the hardware;
(~H ~ = power density and is roughly constant.
That is, the greater the UOPS, the larger the volume of the hardware.
VI = the constrained volume of user interface, that is, the largest hardware volume the user can employ to accomplish a specific computing task;
person = the number of individuals that must use the hardware.
WO93/2~01 : -~ PCT/US93/046 For the majority of computing applications volume is irrelevant. Equations (1) and (2) mathematically describe this observation. In these contexts, the user is unconstrained by the volume of S the hardware, and VI is infinity making F equal to VN. :.
Volume hence has no influence on the service level (5) and therefore no influence on the quantity (~2) of computers demanded.
However, for users that desire to or must carry a computer around, the volume of the hardware becomes critical. Equations (l) and ~2) mathematically describe this observation also. There exists for any rigid form factor a maximum volume (VI) beyond which the user cannot carry a computer. ~F) is then equal to (VI). Hence, increasing the power density is the only means to increase service level and therefore quantity demanded.
Now it is clear from equation (2) that if VI can be increased, VH can also be increased thus increasing the UOPS obtainable. This can be done without increasing power density. The flexible wearable computer directly increases VI compared to rigid packaging schemes because it allows hardware to be shaped like articles of clothing allowing the more comfortably placement of larger ~olumes of hardware on various areas of the body. It obviates the need to carry ~he entire hardware in one or both hands.
It also eliminates the uncomfortable nature of strapping a rigid device onto one aspect of the body.
It also eliminates the need to make a variety of sizes such as the rigid curvilinear designs require.
Further objects and advantages of the present invention are:
(a) To provide a flexible wearable computer that can be shaped into a limitless variety of shapes and sizes.
(b) To provide a flexible wearable computer that can accommodate a wide variety of human morphologies.
(c) To provide a flexible wearable computer that allows comfortable hands-free portability.
(d) To provide a flexible wearable computer that symmetrically distributes its volume and therefore evenly loads the spine.
(e) To provide a flexible wearable computer that eliminates flexi carpi ulnaris tendonitis.
(f) To pro~ide a flexible wearable computer that is comfortable to wear while the human body is against a firm surface.
(g) To provide a flexible wearable computer that increases the compliance of field service users by allowing hands-flee portability without sacrificing comfort.
(h) To provide a flexible wearable computer whereby the computer can be more comfortably carried and operated than an integrated computer of comparable processing power in a rigid rectilinear or curvilinear packages.
(i) To provide a flexible wearable computer that data transfer rates that are faster than wireless communication systems.
(j) To provide a flexible wearable computer that can more easily and comfortably be expanded than rigid package de~igns.
WO93/2~01 2 1 3 S 7 7 1 PCT/US93/0463~
- 1 0 - , , Drawing Figures Other objects and advantages of the present invention and a full understanding thereof may be had by referring to the following detailed description and claims taken together with the accompanying illustrations. The illustrations are ~escribed below in which like parts are given like reference numerals in each of the drawings.
FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the prior art of a wearable portable computer system produced by Reddy Informatio~ Systems called Red.
FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the prior art of a wearable portable computer system by Takemasa of NEC Corporation.
FIGURE 3 is a view of a user wearing the preferred embodiment of the flexible wearable - computer system which by definition includes an input/outpllt device.
FIGURE 4 is a view of a user wearing the flexible wearable computer system with the outer sheath ghosted.
FIGURE 5 is a perspective ~iew of the preferred embodiment of the flexible wearable computer which by definition does not include the input/output device.
FIGURE 6 is a per~pective view of the flexible wearable computer showing the surface that contacts the body with the outer sheath partially removed.
FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of the flexible wearable computer with the outer sheath completely removed.
W093~2~01 2 1 3 5 7 ~ 1 PC~/US93/~63 FIGURE 8 is a perspective exploded assembly view of microprocessor module.
FIGURE 9 is an orthographic cross sectional view of the microprocessor module.
S FI~URE l0 is a perspective exploded assembly view of the RAM-I/O module.
FIGURE ll is a perspective exploded assembly view of the mass memory module.
FIGURE 12 is a perspective exploded assembly view of the battery module.
FIGURE 13 is an exploded assembly view of the bus termination module.
FIGURE 14 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the flexible wearable computer in the form of a vest.
FIGURE 15 is a perspective view of the alternative embodiment in the form of a vest with the outer sheath ghosted.
FIGURE 16 is a rear perspective view of the ZO alternative embodiment in the form of a vest with the outer sheath ghosted.
Drawing Reference Numerals A R~flection Technologies Private Eye wearable display B Reddy Information Systems l)05 rigid rectilinear personal computer and RAM card reader C Padded harness D NEC Corporation's personal computer and CD-ROM reader E NEC Corporation's input device NEC Corporation's output device 002a Flexible circuit WO93/23801 ' 2 ~ 3 S 7 7 1 PCT/US93/04636 002b Flexible circuit 002c Flexible circuit 002d Flexible circuit 002e Flexible circuit 002f Flexible circuit 004 Tensile load strap 005a Belt latch, male 005b Belt latch, female 006 Foam sheath 010 Module recess Olla Eyelet snap Ollb Eyelet snap 046 Seam surface 060 Portable input/output device 061 I/0 bu 100 ~us termination module 112 Bus termination resistors -.
114 Bus termination printed circuit board 115 Bus termination module solder pins 116 Bus termination plated via holes 200 Microprocessor module 212 Microprocessor 212a Microprocessor support components 214 Microprocessor printed circuit board 215 Microprocessor printed circuit board solder pins 216 Microprocessor plated via holes 217 Microprocessor module top shell 218 Micrsprocessor module bottom shell 219 Microprocessor module boss 219 Microprocessor module boss 220 Holes for microprocessor module assembly 222 Microprocessor module retention plate 223 Microprocessor module self tapping screw 300 RAM-I/0 module WO93/2~01 2 13 5 7 7 1 PCT/US93/0463 314 RAM-I/O printed circuit board 317 RAM-I/0 module top shell 322 RAM-I/0 module retention plate 323 RAM-I/0 port bezel 324 Random access memory chips 325 RAM-I/0 Module orifice 326 Output device port 327 Input de~ice port 328 Communications port 347 Input/output processor 347a Support circuitry components 400 Mass memory module 412 Flash memory chip 414 Mass memory circuit board 417 Mass memory module top shell 500 Battery module 508 Battery bezel ;~
514 Battery module printed circuit board ~:
517 Battery module top shell 523 Battery nodule self tapping screw 530 Battery cartridge -531 Battery fixture ~33 ~oltage regulation components wo g3/2~0l 2 13 57 ~ 1 PCT/US93/0463~
Description of Preferred Embodiment Referring now to the drawings, with particular attention to Figure 3. The method of using the flexible wearable computer is straight forward. The u~er adjusts the flexible wearable computer to fit comfortably around the waist by varying the connection of male and female belt latches 005a, OO5b to a flexible tensile load strap 004. An input/output device 060 is a pen based liquid crystal display device that has a clip allowing easy attachment to a flexible compressive foam sheath 006 when not in use. The input/output device is connected to the processor and mass memory by an I/O
bus 061.
Figure 5 demonstrates the detail of the preferred embodiment. The computer is entirely encased in foam sheath 006 injection-molded out of antimicrobial microcellular polyurethane foam (such as Poron, available from Rogers Corporation), and varies in thickness from 0.140 inches thick to 0.250 inches thick, and is approximately 15.0 inches long.
Flexible compressive foam sheath 006 necks (narrows) down at each end such that the opening in foam sheath 006 is the same width as tensile load strap 004.
Tensile load strap 004 is a belt strap consists of woven aramid fibers (otherwise known as Kevlar, available from Dupon~), but could consist of common nylon strapping or thin steel stranded cables.
Tensile load strap 004 is approximately 2.0 inches x 0.02 inches x 47.0 inches. A port bezel 323 is adhered to foam sheath 006 with adhesive. It allows output device port 326, input device port 327, and communications port 328 to be exposed through foam sheath 006. A battery bezel 508 is adhered to foam W093/2~01 2 1 3 5 7 7 1 PCT/US93/0463 sheath 006. Port bezel 323 and battery bezel 508 are all injection-molded out of ABS plastic.
Figure 7 demon~trates the structure beneath foam sheath 006 of the preferred embodiment. Five S different types of modules 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 are electrically connected to each other by polyimide (Kapton, a~ailable from Dupont) flexible circuits 002a, 002b, 002c, 002d, 002e, 002f. Each computer component module 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 is affixed -to the tensile load strap 004. The two-part belt latch 005a and 005b is connected to each end of tensile load strap 004.
Referring now to Figure 6, the flexible wearable computer is demonstrated with foam sheath 006 partially open revealing a molded in module rece~s 010 which is approximately 0.125 inches deep. Each module 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 is seated in a ~eparate module recess 010. Fig. 6 also re~eals that foam sheath 006 is fastened to tensile load strap 004 by a pair of eyelet snaps Olla and Ollb, located at both narrowed ends of foam sheath 006. Seam surface 046 which run the bottom length of foam sheath 006, are fastened to each other with adhesive.
Microprocessor Module Referring to Figure 8, the microprocessor module 200 is demonstrated. Microprocessor 212 and microprocessor support components 212a are of surface mount size, and are soldered to a microprocessor printed circuit board 214. The dimensions of microprocessor printed circuit board 214 are approximately 2.25 inches x 1.55 inches x 0.06 inches. At each of the long edges of microprocessor printed circuit board 214 are an array of W093/2~01 2 1 3 5 7 7 1 PCT/US93/0463 microprocessor printed circuit board solder pins 21S
which register with a corresponding array of plated via holes 216 on flexible circuit 002b. Solder pins 215 are soldered into plated via holes 16. Flexible circuit 002b and microprocessor printed circuit board 214 are sandwiched between a microproces90r module top shell 217 and microprocessor module bottom shell 218. Flexible circuit 002b is approximately 2.65 inches long x 2.00 inches wide x 0.006 inches thick.
Microprocessor module bosses 219 extend from the microprocessor module top shell 217 through holes 220 in flexible circuit 002b and microprocessor printed- ~-circuit board 214. The mechanical registration and therefore electrical connection of plated ~ia holes 216 with solder pins 215 is held true by bosses 219.
Microprocessor module top shell 217 and bottom shell 218 are shown in cross-section in Figure 9 as having approximately a 0.10 inch radius edge detail curving away from flexible circuit 002b. This feature provides a limit on the radius of curvature -~
experienced by flexible circuit 002b. Tensile load strap 004 is fastened against microprocessor module bottom shell 218 by microprocessor module retention plate 222 and ~elf-tapping screws 223. Self tapping screws 223 fasten the entire assembly together by screwing into bosses 219 on microprocessor module top shell 217.
RAM-I/O and Mass Memory Modules Fig. 10 demonstrates RAM-I/O module 300. It has the same basic construction as microprocessor module 200 except for two differences. First, instead of a microprocessor, random access memory chip 324 and input/output processor 347 and support circuitry components 347a, are soldered onto RAM-I/O circuit WO93/2~01 Zl 3 S 7 7 I PCT/US93/~636 -17- :
board 314. Second, output de~ice port 326, input :
device port 327, and communications port 328 are electrically connected to RAM-I/O printed-circuit board 314, and extend through RAM-I/O module orifice 325 in RAM-I/0 module top shell 317. Flexible circuit 002c is xegistered and fastened against RAM-I/O printed-circuit board 314 the same way as with the pre~iously described microprocessor module 200. :
RAM-I/O module 300 is also connected to tensile load ;:
strap 004 in the same way as in previously described microprocessor module 200.
Figure 11 demonstrates mass memory module 400.
Multiple mass memory modules are shown in the preferred embodiment and are identical except for 1, their software addresses, and have the same basic construction as microprocessor module 200 except for two differences. First, instead of a microprocessor, flash memory chip 412 lof which there are four) are soldered to printed-circuit board 414. Flexible circuits 002d, 002e are registered and fastened against printed-circuit board 414 the same was as in previously described modules 200. Mass memory modules 400 are also connected to tensile load strap 004 in the same way as in previously described module 200.
Battery and Bus Termination Modules Figure 12 demonstra~es a battery module 500 containing a battery cartridge 530 held by a battery fixture 531, and a battery module top shell 517.
8attery fixture 531 is fastened onto a printed-circuit board 514 with a screw 523. Voltage regulation components 533 are of surface mount size, and are soldered to printed-circuit board 514.
WO93/2~01 2 1 3 ~ 7 7 1 PCT/US93/0463~ 't -18- ;
Flexible circuit 002f is registered and fastened against printed-circuit board 514 the same was a~ in previously described module 200. Module top shell 517 and module bottom shell 518 are fastened the ~ame way as in previously described module 200. Battery ~:
module 500 is also connected to tensile load strap .:
004 in the same way as in previously described module 200. .
A bus termination module 100 is shown in Figure 13. Bus termination resistors 112 are of surface mount size and soldered to a bus termination circuit board 114. Bus termination circuit board 114 measures approximately 2.00 inches x 0.30 inches x 0.06 inches. Bus termination circuit board 114 has an array of bus termination module solder pii~s 115 along one long edge which register with bus termination plated via holes 116 on ~lexible circuit .
002f. Flexible circuits 002a and 002f measure approximately I.S inches long x 2.00 inches wide x 0.006 inches. Bus termination module 100 is connected to tensile load strap 004 in the same way as in previously described module 200.
Summary, Ramifications, and Scope Accordingly, the reader will see that the ~5 flexible computer has the advantage of increasing the service level of portable computer hardware while also increasing the comfort of using the hardware.
In addition, the flexible wearable computer has the advantages of:
accommodating a wide variety of human morphologies;
allowing hands-free carrying and operation;
WO93/2~01 213 S 7 7 i PCT/US93/~636 -19- ;
allowing the user to comfortably sit or lie while wearing the device; -allowing the weight of the computer to be symmetrically distributed on the body;
eliminating the muscle and tendon strain associated with carrying rigid rectilinear computers;
increasing the compliance of field service personnel that must use a computer;
allowing significantly larger amounts of secondary flash memory to be comfortably carried by the user;
allowing expansion more easily and comfortably than rigid designs.
Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the inve~tion, but merely providing illustration of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. For example, the flexible tensile load bearing means could consist of individually twisted aramid fibers enca~ed in the potting compound. The flexible tensile load bearing means could be fibers woven in~o cloth or even a homogeneous thin layer of material.
The flexible signal relaying means could be glued or otherwise perman~ntly attached to the tensile load bearing means.
Components and support circuitry need not be surface mount size and soldered. Components may be affixed with conductive epoxy, or assembled using chip on board technology.
The flexible signal relaying means could be discrete wires or discrete non metallic Filaments.
It could ~e produced with ink traces or any type of W093/2380l 2 1 3 5 7 7 1 , PCT/US93/0463~`
non-metallic, flexible conductive material. The -computer could be implemented in fiber optics. The flexible circuit could be optical fiber filaments instead of metallic or non-metallic conductors.
Al~o, the flexible signal relaying means could be an easily detachable and reattachable bus that is disposable.
Furthermore, the configuration of the flexible wearable computer need not be in a belt. The module and bus assembly can be fashioned in a variety of ways. Figure 14 demonstrates an alternative embodiment of the flexible wearable computer in the shape of a vest for increasing the number of elements for computing. Figure 15 shows the foam sheath of the vest r~moved revealing an increased number of modules. Figure 16 demonstrates the bus arrangement to accommodate the increased number of modules thereby greatly expand the memory and processing capacity of the flexible wearable computer.
Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equi~ale~ts, rather than by the examples given. -~
FLE~IBLE WE~RABLE COM2UTER
Background-Field of Invention This invention relates generally to the field of portable computers, and more specifically to a flexible, wearable computer that can be worn on the body and repeatedly bent in an infinite number of planes without failure of operation.
Background-Description of Prior Art Definitions A computer system is defined as comprising three basic components: an input device, an output device, and a computer. A computer is defined as comprising memory, a processor, and associated support circuitry and components. ~emory comprises main memory which is volatile, and mass storage memory which is usually nonvolatile. A portable computer system is one that the user can easily carry around. Throughout this text the author will refer to a computer to mean only and specifically the main and secondary storage memory, ~he processor, and a power supply. The author will also use volume to characterize both the size and the mass of computers. This is because the overall density of sili~on-based computers is asymptotic to a constant. Therefore, volume will necessarily indicate a maximum weight.
Integration Small and therefore portable computers have resulted from the intersection of innovations and inventions across a wide variety of domains and WO93~2~01 2 1 3 5 ~ 7 1 PCT/ US93/04636~ ~ 1 fields including the arts of silicon manipulation, and mechanical and electrical design, and component integration. Integration is the process of decreasing the ~ize of and the space between electrical elements, and it has been the pathway to power reduction and speed But siz`e reduction accrued benefits independent of processing power. Computers that once required buildings to house and small power plants to run can now be comfortably lifted with one hand. Since integration and therefore miniaturization has brought nearly all of the advances in service levels to date, it is the major force in the creation of the prior art in portable computing and the direction of future advancement for computer construction in general.
There has been tremendous innovation and invention using integration as a means of making computers portable. Computers are available that are small enough to be lifted by one finger. The result has been explosive demand for portable computing devices. Dataquest predicts that by ~994 sales of portable computing devices will be well over $13 -~
billion (Byte, volume 16, number Il, pl94).
"Picocomputers" are the state of the art of integration as a mèans of creating portable co~puters (New York Times, March 23, 1992). Inventors such as M. E. Jones, Jr. have developed a single chip that contain all of the elements needed for a computer.
This has allowed creation of computer systems that can fit in the breast pocket of a man's jacket and run for 100 hour~ on a con~entional flashlight battery. The major limitations of these computer systems is that they have very small amounts of memory greatly limiting the usefulness of the device for tasks to which most computer users are ' WO93/2~01 ~ 2 1 3 5 7 7 1 PCT/US93/~636 accustomed. They also have very small input and output devices which are slow and inconvenient to use.
Useful Portables Other innovations include computers with increased processing abilities that must be carried -with one hand. These rigid rectilinear-shaped devices fall into the classes lap-top, palm-top or hand-held computers and increase the processing and memory capacity of the picocomputer by including the required processors and memory power in a larger enclosure. For the episodic portable computer user that spends little time actually carrying these de~ices, these rigid rectilinear devices provide high levels of service rivaling desk-top micro and minicomputers. For the intensive user that processes large amounts of data and must also carry the computer for long periods time, these devices have several disadvantages.
First, research has shown that people carrying these computers for long periods of time are pron~ to flexi carpi ulnaris tendoni~is which can be painful and debilitating. This affliction is due to prolonged and simultaneous clenching of the fingers and flexing of the wrist, an action unavoidable when carrying these devices.
Second, for intensive data acquisition applications, size once again is a constraint. The amount of secondary memory required for implementation makes this option impractical for portable computers in rigid rectilinear packaging.
On-board memory requirements have been sidestepped by including wireless data link,s to a host computer for WO93/2~01 2 1 3 S 7 7 1 PCT/US93/0463 down-loading data. However, these options are very costly, up to the cost of the computer itself, and increase the volume of the devices by as much as a factor of two. Furthermore, wireless communication is presently a very slow data transfer process.
Third, field service research for Rockwell International has demonstrated that user compliance of rigid rectilinear hand-carried and hand-held computers is low, and gets lower as the size of the device increases. Field service personnel expressed considerable displeasure with having to lug a "brick"
around during the execution of their task. Most notably it restricted the use of their hands by virtue of one, or both being used to carry the 1~ computer.
Wearable Portables There has been innovation and in~ention to harnes~ rigid rectilinear computers on various parts of the body. Reddy Information Systems Inc. has produced a computer called Red Figure 1 that has a head mounted output device (A~ from Reflection Technologies called the Pri~ate Eye, and a bel~-mounted rigid rectilinear-packaged computer and input device (B) secured by a belt harness (C) (New York Times, March 29, 1992). Infogrip Inc. and Select Tech Inc have combined technologies to produce the Hip Pc in a similar ~onfiguration.
There are two main disadvantages to this approach. First, harnessing a rigid rectilinear-packaged computer anywhere on the body creates an uneven load on the spine. Prolonged wearing of such devices creates strain in the supporting muscles opposite the place where the compute~ is harnessed.
~r~ ;~r~x~ ,~X~ X, ,~ ;".,~ ,."" s, ,,;, " ",~
'- WO93/23801 21~ 7 1 PCT/US93/04636 Second, these configurations do not allow the human body to comfortably contact a firm qurface. The rigid rectilinear computer on a harness or belt is literally a lump on the surface of the body. Lastly, rigid rectilinear designs are inherently limited in expandability. To increa~e processing power, hardware size must be increased. There is a volume limit beyond which the computer is no longer portable. `
There has been innovation and invention to make computers more comfortable_to wear. Hideji Takemasa of NEC Corp has created a variety of rigid curvilinear-packaged computer models that conform to ~arious parts of the body Figure 2 (Fortune, January 13, 1992). These devices include a processor and CD-ROM reader (D), and a fold out input/output device (E,F). Although aesthetically more appealing than the rigid rectilinear lumps of the Red and Hip PC
models, the NEC models nonetheless suffer the same disadvantages. The NEC curvilinear designs are rigid and dynamically nonconforming and subject the spine to uneven loading. They also do not allow comfortable contact of the human body with firm surfaces. Furthermore, these rigid, curvilinear designs must be made in many cizes since it is technically impossible to make one of these designs fit all human morphologies. They are also inherently limited in expandability just as the rigid rectilinear designs.
Summary of Invention The present invention exemplifies a new and unobvious art of a flexible wearable computer.
Briefly and generally, the flexible wearable computer W093/2~01 ~ 1 3 5 7 7 1 PCT/US93/~636 comprises a microprocessor, memory, an input~output -:
controller, and a power supply operably associated with one another through a flexible signal relaying ::.
means. The assembly is supported by a tensile load bearing means and protected by a compreQsive load bearing means. The microprocessor, memory, input/output controller, and power supply are mechanically associated in a module assembly such that the flexible wearable computer can bend in an infinite number of planes without failure of ~peration.
Objects and Ad~antages The most important advantage of the flexible wearable computer is that it will always pro~ide greater utility than rigid designs for those users that must carry their computer around while processing large amounts of data, regardless of the state of the art of integration and miniaturization.
That i9, regardless of how much computer power can be deli~ered in a given rigid package, providing a flexible wearable compu~er allows more of that computer power to be comfortably carried by the user.
For example, even if a Cray super computer can be reduced to the size of a wrist watch, the intensi~e computer user will find more utility in a flexible computer that is an array of the microprocessors in the wristwatch-sized Cray that is fashioned for instance as a comfortable ~est.
This relationship can be mathematically demonstrated with a common market model adapted for computer power demand. Refer now to equation ~1~
Q-c-aP+bS (1) ~WO93/23801 2 1 3 S 7 7 1 PCT/US93/04636 where, Q = total amount of computers demanded in a specified context;
P - the price of computers sold in the marketplace for that context;
S - the service level provided by computers in that context.
The service level of a computer for any specified context is related to the number of useful operations per second (UOPS). This value is driven by se~eral factors including the elegance of the program, memory size and access time, and raw processing speed. Service level is also related to ~olume. Volume is less critical when a user does not need to carry the computer. It b~comes a major determinant when a user must be ambulatory while using a computer.
Service level can be defined as ( ~ ) ) (2) B ~person where, F = min{V~, VI };
V8 = volume of the hardware;
(~H ~ = power density and is roughly constant.
That is, the greater the UOPS, the larger the volume of the hardware.
VI = the constrained volume of user interface, that is, the largest hardware volume the user can employ to accomplish a specific computing task;
person = the number of individuals that must use the hardware.
WO93/2~01 : -~ PCT/US93/046 For the majority of computing applications volume is irrelevant. Equations (1) and (2) mathematically describe this observation. In these contexts, the user is unconstrained by the volume of S the hardware, and VI is infinity making F equal to VN. :.
Volume hence has no influence on the service level (5) and therefore no influence on the quantity (~2) of computers demanded.
However, for users that desire to or must carry a computer around, the volume of the hardware becomes critical. Equations (l) and ~2) mathematically describe this observation also. There exists for any rigid form factor a maximum volume (VI) beyond which the user cannot carry a computer. ~F) is then equal to (VI). Hence, increasing the power density is the only means to increase service level and therefore quantity demanded.
Now it is clear from equation (2) that if VI can be increased, VH can also be increased thus increasing the UOPS obtainable. This can be done without increasing power density. The flexible wearable computer directly increases VI compared to rigid packaging schemes because it allows hardware to be shaped like articles of clothing allowing the more comfortably placement of larger ~olumes of hardware on various areas of the body. It obviates the need to carry ~he entire hardware in one or both hands.
It also eliminates the uncomfortable nature of strapping a rigid device onto one aspect of the body.
It also eliminates the need to make a variety of sizes such as the rigid curvilinear designs require.
Further objects and advantages of the present invention are:
(a) To provide a flexible wearable computer that can be shaped into a limitless variety of shapes and sizes.
(b) To provide a flexible wearable computer that can accommodate a wide variety of human morphologies.
(c) To provide a flexible wearable computer that allows comfortable hands-free portability.
(d) To provide a flexible wearable computer that symmetrically distributes its volume and therefore evenly loads the spine.
(e) To provide a flexible wearable computer that eliminates flexi carpi ulnaris tendonitis.
(f) To pro~ide a flexible wearable computer that is comfortable to wear while the human body is against a firm surface.
(g) To provide a flexible wearable computer that increases the compliance of field service users by allowing hands-flee portability without sacrificing comfort.
(h) To provide a flexible wearable computer whereby the computer can be more comfortably carried and operated than an integrated computer of comparable processing power in a rigid rectilinear or curvilinear packages.
(i) To provide a flexible wearable computer that data transfer rates that are faster than wireless communication systems.
(j) To provide a flexible wearable computer that can more easily and comfortably be expanded than rigid package de~igns.
WO93/2~01 2 1 3 S 7 7 1 PCT/US93/0463~
- 1 0 - , , Drawing Figures Other objects and advantages of the present invention and a full understanding thereof may be had by referring to the following detailed description and claims taken together with the accompanying illustrations. The illustrations are ~escribed below in which like parts are given like reference numerals in each of the drawings.
FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the prior art of a wearable portable computer system produced by Reddy Informatio~ Systems called Red.
FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the prior art of a wearable portable computer system by Takemasa of NEC Corporation.
FIGURE 3 is a view of a user wearing the preferred embodiment of the flexible wearable - computer system which by definition includes an input/outpllt device.
FIGURE 4 is a view of a user wearing the flexible wearable computer system with the outer sheath ghosted.
FIGURE 5 is a perspective ~iew of the preferred embodiment of the flexible wearable computer which by definition does not include the input/output device.
FIGURE 6 is a per~pective view of the flexible wearable computer showing the surface that contacts the body with the outer sheath partially removed.
FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of the flexible wearable computer with the outer sheath completely removed.
W093~2~01 2 1 3 5 7 ~ 1 PC~/US93/~63 FIGURE 8 is a perspective exploded assembly view of microprocessor module.
FIGURE 9 is an orthographic cross sectional view of the microprocessor module.
S FI~URE l0 is a perspective exploded assembly view of the RAM-I/O module.
FIGURE ll is a perspective exploded assembly view of the mass memory module.
FIGURE 12 is a perspective exploded assembly view of the battery module.
FIGURE 13 is an exploded assembly view of the bus termination module.
FIGURE 14 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the flexible wearable computer in the form of a vest.
FIGURE 15 is a perspective view of the alternative embodiment in the form of a vest with the outer sheath ghosted.
FIGURE 16 is a rear perspective view of the ZO alternative embodiment in the form of a vest with the outer sheath ghosted.
Drawing Reference Numerals A R~flection Technologies Private Eye wearable display B Reddy Information Systems l)05 rigid rectilinear personal computer and RAM card reader C Padded harness D NEC Corporation's personal computer and CD-ROM reader E NEC Corporation's input device NEC Corporation's output device 002a Flexible circuit WO93/23801 ' 2 ~ 3 S 7 7 1 PCT/US93/04636 002b Flexible circuit 002c Flexible circuit 002d Flexible circuit 002e Flexible circuit 002f Flexible circuit 004 Tensile load strap 005a Belt latch, male 005b Belt latch, female 006 Foam sheath 010 Module recess Olla Eyelet snap Ollb Eyelet snap 046 Seam surface 060 Portable input/output device 061 I/0 bu 100 ~us termination module 112 Bus termination resistors -.
114 Bus termination printed circuit board 115 Bus termination module solder pins 116 Bus termination plated via holes 200 Microprocessor module 212 Microprocessor 212a Microprocessor support components 214 Microprocessor printed circuit board 215 Microprocessor printed circuit board solder pins 216 Microprocessor plated via holes 217 Microprocessor module top shell 218 Micrsprocessor module bottom shell 219 Microprocessor module boss 219 Microprocessor module boss 220 Holes for microprocessor module assembly 222 Microprocessor module retention plate 223 Microprocessor module self tapping screw 300 RAM-I/0 module WO93/2~01 2 13 5 7 7 1 PCT/US93/0463 314 RAM-I/O printed circuit board 317 RAM-I/0 module top shell 322 RAM-I/0 module retention plate 323 RAM-I/0 port bezel 324 Random access memory chips 325 RAM-I/0 Module orifice 326 Output device port 327 Input de~ice port 328 Communications port 347 Input/output processor 347a Support circuitry components 400 Mass memory module 412 Flash memory chip 414 Mass memory circuit board 417 Mass memory module top shell 500 Battery module 508 Battery bezel ;~
514 Battery module printed circuit board ~:
517 Battery module top shell 523 Battery nodule self tapping screw 530 Battery cartridge -531 Battery fixture ~33 ~oltage regulation components wo g3/2~0l 2 13 57 ~ 1 PCT/US93/0463~
Description of Preferred Embodiment Referring now to the drawings, with particular attention to Figure 3. The method of using the flexible wearable computer is straight forward. The u~er adjusts the flexible wearable computer to fit comfortably around the waist by varying the connection of male and female belt latches 005a, OO5b to a flexible tensile load strap 004. An input/output device 060 is a pen based liquid crystal display device that has a clip allowing easy attachment to a flexible compressive foam sheath 006 when not in use. The input/output device is connected to the processor and mass memory by an I/O
bus 061.
Figure 5 demonstrates the detail of the preferred embodiment. The computer is entirely encased in foam sheath 006 injection-molded out of antimicrobial microcellular polyurethane foam (such as Poron, available from Rogers Corporation), and varies in thickness from 0.140 inches thick to 0.250 inches thick, and is approximately 15.0 inches long.
Flexible compressive foam sheath 006 necks (narrows) down at each end such that the opening in foam sheath 006 is the same width as tensile load strap 004.
Tensile load strap 004 is a belt strap consists of woven aramid fibers (otherwise known as Kevlar, available from Dupon~), but could consist of common nylon strapping or thin steel stranded cables.
Tensile load strap 004 is approximately 2.0 inches x 0.02 inches x 47.0 inches. A port bezel 323 is adhered to foam sheath 006 with adhesive. It allows output device port 326, input device port 327, and communications port 328 to be exposed through foam sheath 006. A battery bezel 508 is adhered to foam W093/2~01 2 1 3 5 7 7 1 PCT/US93/0463 sheath 006. Port bezel 323 and battery bezel 508 are all injection-molded out of ABS plastic.
Figure 7 demon~trates the structure beneath foam sheath 006 of the preferred embodiment. Five S different types of modules 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 are electrically connected to each other by polyimide (Kapton, a~ailable from Dupont) flexible circuits 002a, 002b, 002c, 002d, 002e, 002f. Each computer component module 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 is affixed -to the tensile load strap 004. The two-part belt latch 005a and 005b is connected to each end of tensile load strap 004.
Referring now to Figure 6, the flexible wearable computer is demonstrated with foam sheath 006 partially open revealing a molded in module rece~s 010 which is approximately 0.125 inches deep. Each module 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 is seated in a ~eparate module recess 010. Fig. 6 also re~eals that foam sheath 006 is fastened to tensile load strap 004 by a pair of eyelet snaps Olla and Ollb, located at both narrowed ends of foam sheath 006. Seam surface 046 which run the bottom length of foam sheath 006, are fastened to each other with adhesive.
Microprocessor Module Referring to Figure 8, the microprocessor module 200 is demonstrated. Microprocessor 212 and microprocessor support components 212a are of surface mount size, and are soldered to a microprocessor printed circuit board 214. The dimensions of microprocessor printed circuit board 214 are approximately 2.25 inches x 1.55 inches x 0.06 inches. At each of the long edges of microprocessor printed circuit board 214 are an array of W093/2~01 2 1 3 5 7 7 1 PCT/US93/0463 microprocessor printed circuit board solder pins 21S
which register with a corresponding array of plated via holes 216 on flexible circuit 002b. Solder pins 215 are soldered into plated via holes 16. Flexible circuit 002b and microprocessor printed circuit board 214 are sandwiched between a microproces90r module top shell 217 and microprocessor module bottom shell 218. Flexible circuit 002b is approximately 2.65 inches long x 2.00 inches wide x 0.006 inches thick.
Microprocessor module bosses 219 extend from the microprocessor module top shell 217 through holes 220 in flexible circuit 002b and microprocessor printed- ~-circuit board 214. The mechanical registration and therefore electrical connection of plated ~ia holes 216 with solder pins 215 is held true by bosses 219.
Microprocessor module top shell 217 and bottom shell 218 are shown in cross-section in Figure 9 as having approximately a 0.10 inch radius edge detail curving away from flexible circuit 002b. This feature provides a limit on the radius of curvature -~
experienced by flexible circuit 002b. Tensile load strap 004 is fastened against microprocessor module bottom shell 218 by microprocessor module retention plate 222 and ~elf-tapping screws 223. Self tapping screws 223 fasten the entire assembly together by screwing into bosses 219 on microprocessor module top shell 217.
RAM-I/O and Mass Memory Modules Fig. 10 demonstrates RAM-I/O module 300. It has the same basic construction as microprocessor module 200 except for two differences. First, instead of a microprocessor, random access memory chip 324 and input/output processor 347 and support circuitry components 347a, are soldered onto RAM-I/O circuit WO93/2~01 Zl 3 S 7 7 I PCT/US93/~636 -17- :
board 314. Second, output de~ice port 326, input :
device port 327, and communications port 328 are electrically connected to RAM-I/O printed-circuit board 314, and extend through RAM-I/O module orifice 325 in RAM-I/0 module top shell 317. Flexible circuit 002c is xegistered and fastened against RAM-I/O printed-circuit board 314 the same way as with the pre~iously described microprocessor module 200. :
RAM-I/O module 300 is also connected to tensile load ;:
strap 004 in the same way as in previously described microprocessor module 200.
Figure 11 demonstrates mass memory module 400.
Multiple mass memory modules are shown in the preferred embodiment and are identical except for 1, their software addresses, and have the same basic construction as microprocessor module 200 except for two differences. First, instead of a microprocessor, flash memory chip 412 lof which there are four) are soldered to printed-circuit board 414. Flexible circuits 002d, 002e are registered and fastened against printed-circuit board 414 the same was as in previously described modules 200. Mass memory modules 400 are also connected to tensile load strap 004 in the same way as in previously described module 200.
Battery and Bus Termination Modules Figure 12 demonstra~es a battery module 500 containing a battery cartridge 530 held by a battery fixture 531, and a battery module top shell 517.
8attery fixture 531 is fastened onto a printed-circuit board 514 with a screw 523. Voltage regulation components 533 are of surface mount size, and are soldered to printed-circuit board 514.
WO93/2~01 2 1 3 ~ 7 7 1 PCT/US93/0463~ 't -18- ;
Flexible circuit 002f is registered and fastened against printed-circuit board 514 the same was a~ in previously described module 200. Module top shell 517 and module bottom shell 518 are fastened the ~ame way as in previously described module 200. Battery ~:
module 500 is also connected to tensile load strap .:
004 in the same way as in previously described module 200. .
A bus termination module 100 is shown in Figure 13. Bus termination resistors 112 are of surface mount size and soldered to a bus termination circuit board 114. Bus termination circuit board 114 measures approximately 2.00 inches x 0.30 inches x 0.06 inches. Bus termination circuit board 114 has an array of bus termination module solder pii~s 115 along one long edge which register with bus termination plated via holes 116 on ~lexible circuit .
002f. Flexible circuits 002a and 002f measure approximately I.S inches long x 2.00 inches wide x 0.006 inches. Bus termination module 100 is connected to tensile load strap 004 in the same way as in previously described module 200.
Summary, Ramifications, and Scope Accordingly, the reader will see that the ~5 flexible computer has the advantage of increasing the service level of portable computer hardware while also increasing the comfort of using the hardware.
In addition, the flexible wearable computer has the advantages of:
accommodating a wide variety of human morphologies;
allowing hands-free carrying and operation;
WO93/2~01 213 S 7 7 i PCT/US93/~636 -19- ;
allowing the user to comfortably sit or lie while wearing the device; -allowing the weight of the computer to be symmetrically distributed on the body;
eliminating the muscle and tendon strain associated with carrying rigid rectilinear computers;
increasing the compliance of field service personnel that must use a computer;
allowing significantly larger amounts of secondary flash memory to be comfortably carried by the user;
allowing expansion more easily and comfortably than rigid designs.
Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the inve~tion, but merely providing illustration of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. For example, the flexible tensile load bearing means could consist of individually twisted aramid fibers enca~ed in the potting compound. The flexible tensile load bearing means could be fibers woven in~o cloth or even a homogeneous thin layer of material.
The flexible signal relaying means could be glued or otherwise perman~ntly attached to the tensile load bearing means.
Components and support circuitry need not be surface mount size and soldered. Components may be affixed with conductive epoxy, or assembled using chip on board technology.
The flexible signal relaying means could be discrete wires or discrete non metallic Filaments.
It could ~e produced with ink traces or any type of W093/2380l 2 1 3 5 7 7 1 , PCT/US93/0463~`
non-metallic, flexible conductive material. The -computer could be implemented in fiber optics. The flexible circuit could be optical fiber filaments instead of metallic or non-metallic conductors.
Al~o, the flexible signal relaying means could be an easily detachable and reattachable bus that is disposable.
Furthermore, the configuration of the flexible wearable computer need not be in a belt. The module and bus assembly can be fashioned in a variety of ways. Figure 14 demonstrates an alternative embodiment of the flexible wearable computer in the shape of a vest for increasing the number of elements for computing. Figure 15 shows the foam sheath of the vest r~moved revealing an increased number of modules. Figure 16 demonstrates the bus arrangement to accommodate the increased number of modules thereby greatly expand the memory and processing capacity of the flexible wearable computer.
Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equi~ale~ts, rather than by the examples given. -~
Claims (20)
1. A flexible computer comprising, in combination, elements for computing comprising a plurality of mechanically disintegrated but functionally intact components of an otherwise integrated computer:
a flexible signal relaying means connecting said elements for computing;
a flexible nonstretchable wearable member;
a mounting means for mounting said elements for computing and said flexible signal relaying means on said wearable member;
a protective covering means connected to said flexible non-stretchable wearable member for enclosing said elements for computing and said flexible signal relaying means.
a flexible signal relaying means connecting said elements for computing;
a flexible nonstretchable wearable member;
a mounting means for mounting said elements for computing and said flexible signal relaying means on said wearable member;
a protective covering means connected to said flexible non-stretchable wearable member for enclosing said elements for computing and said flexible signal relaying means.
2. The flexible computer of claim 1 wherein said flexible signal relaying means can be easily detached from and reattached to the computing elements and is therefore replaceable and disposable.
3. The flexible computer of claim 1 wherein said mounting means includes a module bottom shell;
a module top shell;
a circuit board member for mounting at least one of said computing elements thereon and positioned between the bottom shell and the top shell, said flexible nonstretchable wearable member positioned on the opposite side of the bottom shell from the position of said circuit board member;
a retention plate positioned on the opposite side of the wearable member from the bottom shell;
a clamping means for mechanically connecting the top shell, the bottom shell, said circuit board member, the wearable member, and said retention plate.
a module top shell;
a circuit board member for mounting at least one of said computing elements thereon and positioned between the bottom shell and the top shell, said flexible nonstretchable wearable member positioned on the opposite side of the bottom shell from the position of said circuit board member;
a retention plate positioned on the opposite side of the wearable member from the bottom shell;
a clamping means for mechanically connecting the top shell, the bottom shell, said circuit board member, the wearable member, and said retention plate.
4. The flexible computer of claim 3 wherein said protective covering is an antimicrobial microcellular polyurethane foam sheath.
5. The flexible computer of claim 3 wherein said flexible nonstretchable wearable member consists of woven aramid fibers.
6. The flexible computer of claim 1 wherein the computing elements includes flash memory as a nonvolatile data storage means.
7. The flexible computer of claim 3 wherein the computing elements includes flash memory as a nonvolatile data storage means.
8. The flexible computer of claim 3 in the form of a belt.
9. The flexible computer of claim 3 in the form of a vest.
10. A flexible computer in the form of a wearable article comprising, in combination, elements for computing comprising a microprocessor, an input/output controller, a plurality of data storage means, a power supply, and a plurality of computing components;
a plurality of flexible signal relaying means operably connected with the computing elements;
a flexible tensile load bearing means mechanically connected with the computing elements and said flexible signal relaying means for limiting tensile loads;
a flexible compressive load bearing means connected to the computing elements, said flexible signal relaying means, and said tensile load bearing means for limiting compressive loads;
a curvature radius limiting means connecting the computing elements and said flexible signal relaying means and said tensile load bearing means for limiting the curvature radius experienced.
a plurality of flexible signal relaying means operably connected with the computing elements;
a flexible tensile load bearing means mechanically connected with the computing elements and said flexible signal relaying means for limiting tensile loads;
a flexible compressive load bearing means connected to the computing elements, said flexible signal relaying means, and said tensile load bearing means for limiting compressive loads;
a curvature radius limiting means connecting the computing elements and said flexible signal relaying means and said tensile load bearing means for limiting the curvature radius experienced.
11. The flexible computer of claim 10 wherein said curvature radius limiting means comprises:
a module bottom shell;
a module top shell;
a circuit board member for mounting at least one of said computing elements thereon and positioned between the bottom shell and the top shell, said tensile load bearing means positioned on the opposite side of the bottom shell from the position of said circuit board member;
a retention plate positioned on the opposite side of said tensile load bearing means from the position of said bottom shell;
a clamping means for mechanically connecting the top shell, the bottom shell, said circuit board member, said tensile load bearing means, and said retention plate.
a module bottom shell;
a module top shell;
a circuit board member for mounting at least one of said computing elements thereon and positioned between the bottom shell and the top shell, said tensile load bearing means positioned on the opposite side of the bottom shell from the position of said circuit board member;
a retention plate positioned on the opposite side of said tensile load bearing means from the position of said bottom shell;
a clamping means for mechanically connecting the top shell, the bottom shell, said circuit board member, said tensile load bearing means, and said retention plate.
12. The flexible computer of claim 10 wherein the plurality of flexible signal relaying means can be easily detached from and reattached to the computing elements and is therefore replaceable and disposable.
13. The flexible computer of claim 10 wherein the computing elements includes flash memory as a nonvolatile data storage means.
14. The flexible computer of claim 11 wherein the computing elements includes flash memory as a nonvolatile data storage means.
15. The flexible computer of claim 11 wherein said tensile load bearing means consists of woven aramid fibers.
16. The flexible computer of claim 11 wherein said protective covering is a antimicrobial microcellular polyurethane foam sheath.
17. A method of computing comprising the steps of:
a. mechanically disintegrating functionally intact elements for computing with an otherwise integrated computer;
b. flexibly connecting said elements for computing with a flexible signal relying means on a flexible non-stretchable wearable member;
c. enclosing said elements, said relying means and said wearable member within a protective covering;
d. wearing said wearable member on the person;
and e. computing with said elements and said relying means worn on the person.
a. mechanically disintegrating functionally intact elements for computing with an otherwise integrated computer;
b. flexibly connecting said elements for computing with a flexible signal relying means on a flexible non-stretchable wearable member;
c. enclosing said elements, said relying means and said wearable member within a protective covering;
d. wearing said wearable member on the person;
and e. computing with said elements and said relying means worn on the person.
18. The method of claim 17 wherein said connecting step includes connecting with an expansion bus.
19. The method of claim 18 including detaching and replacing said expansion bus with a replacement expansion bus.
20. The method of claim 17 including connecting as one of said elements a flash memory as a non-volatile data storage means.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US07/884,117 US5285398A (en) | 1992-05-15 | 1992-05-15 | Flexible wearable computer |
| US07/884,117 | 1992-05-15 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2135771A1 true CA2135771A1 (en) | 1993-11-25 |
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ID=25383987
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| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002135771A Abandoned CA2135771A1 (en) | 1992-05-15 | 1993-05-14 | Flexible wearable computer |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US5285398A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0640226A4 (en) |
| JP (2) | JP2744134B2 (en) |
| AU (2) | AU665164B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2135771A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1993023801A1 (en) |
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| US5491651A (en) * | 1992-05-15 | 1996-02-13 | Key, Idea Development | Flexible wearable computer |
| AU695631B2 (en) * | 1993-05-14 | 1998-08-20 | Via, Inc. | Flexible wearable computer |
| US6811088B2 (en) * | 1993-05-28 | 2004-11-02 | Symbol Technologies, Inc. | Portable data collection system |
| US6853293B2 (en) | 1993-05-28 | 2005-02-08 | Symbol Technologies, Inc. | Wearable communication system |
| US6826532B1 (en) * | 1993-10-05 | 2004-11-30 | Snap-On Incorporated | Hands free automotive service system |
| US5555490A (en) * | 1993-12-13 | 1996-09-10 | Key Idea Development, L.L.C. | Wearable personal computer system |
| US5572401A (en) * | 1993-12-13 | 1996-11-05 | Key Idea Development L.L.C. | Wearable personal computer system having flexible battery forming casing of the system |
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-
1992
- 1992-05-15 US US07/884,117 patent/US5285398A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1993
- 1993-05-14 JP JP6503782A patent/JP2744134B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1993-05-14 CA CA002135771A patent/CA2135771A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1993-05-14 EP EP93913914A patent/EP0640226A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1993-05-14 WO PCT/US1993/004636 patent/WO1993023801A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1993-05-14 AU AU43773/93A patent/AU665164B2/en not_active Ceased
-
1996
- 1996-03-14 AU AU48099/96A patent/AU676451B2/en not_active Ceased
-
1997
- 1997-09-04 JP JP9239678A patent/JPH10133770A/en active Pending
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU665164B2 (en) | 1995-12-14 |
| WO1993023801A1 (en) | 1993-11-25 |
| EP0640226A1 (en) | 1995-03-01 |
| US5285398A (en) | 1994-02-08 |
| JPH10133770A (en) | 1998-05-22 |
| JPH07508114A (en) | 1995-09-07 |
| AU4377393A (en) | 1993-12-13 |
| EP0640226A4 (en) | 1996-06-05 |
| JP2744134B2 (en) | 1998-04-28 |
| AU4809996A (en) | 1996-05-23 |
| AU676451B2 (en) | 1997-03-06 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |