DE29615516U1 - Compact and mobile computer communication case with swiveling keyboard-screen unit - Google Patents

Description

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State of the art

Portable computers, so-called laptops or notebooks, also require a printer, and possibly a scanner, in order to be able to edit and print texts. If you also want to communicate or exchange data, you also need a cell phone and a modem. All of these components must be set up and connected to one another before operation. Each unit also needs its own power supply. Data transmission is often unsatisfactory, as the cell phone is usually a cell phone with only 0.5 W output power. The ergonomics of such a system are also poor, as the computer rests on the lap and the other components are set up and grouped "somehow".

Task

The invention specified in claim 1 solves the problem of creating a compact and mobile computer communication unit for use in the office, at home, in the car, on the move and on site, which has the following functions or fulfills the following tasks:

&bull; Word processing, spreadsheets, etc. e.g. under Windows

&bull; Printing and scanning documents

&bull; Telephone calls and faxes

&bull; Video conferencing

&bull; Input and processing of external measured values and parameters

&bull; Playing CD video films, CD music recordings and computer games

Troubleshooting
The box

All electronic components are commercially available and were selected based on the requirements of volume and weight optimization, high reliability and quality. They all fit into a briefcase-sized box measuring 400 mm x 300 mm x 200 mm, which is custom-made from fiber composite material.

The mechanics

For working in a car, the box is attached to the back seat using a quick-release mechanism, a so-called quick-out system. The keyboard and the 12.1" flat screen form a unit that can be swung out to the side using an electric motor. This enables an ergonomically optimal working position. A toothed belt reduction gear that is integrated into the swivel arm, at the end of which the keyboard-screen unit is located, rotates the keyboard-screen unit synchronously with the folding-out movement of the arm. This causes the keyboard-screen unit to swing around the operator into the working position.

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When retracted, the keyboard is folded upright in front of the screen and protects it. If the box is not to be used in the car, but rather on a table at home or in the office, the swivel arm mechanism is not activated and you just fold the keyboard forward and the device is ready for use.

The keyboard-screen unit also contains a micro-chip camera for video conferencing as well as the microphone for the hands-free telephone system.

The lid

The lid of the box can be opened and has several functions:

1. When closed, it covers the telephone, control panel (main switch, button for swing-out mechanism, etc.) and paper tray

2. When opened, it forms the paper eject tray for the printer.

3. The carrying handle is integrated into the lid, which can be extended and retracted and is locked in two positions. In the first position, the strap is short, lies flat on the lid and forms a carrying handle like on a briefcase. By releasing a lock, this strap can extend evenly and on both sides, creating a shoulder strap.

The wide shoulder strap pad is also equipped with a carrying handle. This means that the optimal handle poster variant is available for both carrying versions, with a shoulder strap like a travel bag or with a short strap like a briefcase.

There is also a cover plate under the lid that covers the individual serial and parallel interface outputs. If one of the outputs is required, e.g. to connect a sensor for on-site measurements, the cover plate is removed and the connections are exposed.

The recess in which the telephone handle is hooked can also be easily removed. This is necessary in order to access the color printer underneath in order to change the cartridge.

In the front of the box, similar to a "normal" PC, there are slots for inserting floppy disks and CDs for data transfer or backup purposes.

The scanner feed slot and the phone card slot are released when the keyboard-screen unit swings out.

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The fittings

The following components are permanently installed inside the box:

&bull; Telephone electronics box with card slot

&bull; Telephone mini antenna

&bull; Speakers

&bull; Fan motor

&bull; Computer motherboard

&bull; various computer plug-in cards, e.g. for fax and video

&bull; Power supply unit with 5, 9, 12 and 24 V output, 10 A fused and a
12V input

&bull; Floppy disk and CD drive

&bull; Scanners and printers

The console

If the box is to be used in a car, a special installation console is required, which must be individually adapted to the respective vehicle type. The console has the shape of a horizontal L and is screwed onto the cardan tunnel and in the trunk. The box is firmly connected to the console, i.e. to the car, via a simple snap-in and locking mechanism.

In addition to the mechanical locking, this also creates a connection to the on-board power supply and the external antenna. Up to 12 CDs and 10 floppy disks can be stored in drawers in the console.

The battery

For use of the box outdoors, where there is no mains voltage from the socket or 12V on-board power from the vehicle battery, a separate battery pack provides the power supply. It is snapped into the base of the case in a center-neutral manner into the same device that is used to attach the box to its console when used in the vehicle. As with the console, the power supply is automatically established with the mechanical connection of the battery pack.

The battery can be charged conventionally using a charger that is also available at home or in the office and is powered by the mains. In addition, when using the case in the vehicle, it can be pushed into the side of the seat console and charged from the 12 V vehicle power supply while driving.

Explanations of the drawings of the Computer Communications Case (CKK)

la CKK, closed, with carrying handle.

Ib The strap is pulled in the direction of the arrow on the carrying handle and the release mechanism is thereby operated.

Ic The strap can be pulled out after unlocking and serves as a shoulder strap together with the shoulder pad. After putting the CKK down, it automatically retracts into the lid, lies flat and locks so that the carrying handle can be used again.

2a CCK with the lid opened, which also serves as a paper feed and ejection compartment for the printer. The radio telephone is located next to it. The keyboard is folded down, the box stands on a table for work, for example.

2b For working in the back of a car, the CKK is attached to a console on the middle section of the rear seat. Driven by an electric motor, the entire screen-keyboard unit swivels into the working position via an arm. The screen-keyboard unit rotates in the opposite direction to the swivel movement, guided by a toothed belt, into a 90-degree position to the CKK. See arrow.

The illustration shows the screen keyboard unit swinging out in motion, i.e. not in the end position. Swinging it away makes the scanner feed slot and the associated output accessible.

2c The swivel arm has reached its end position and the keyboard-screen unit is at 90 degrees to the CKK and the direction of travel. Since the swivel arm has rotated a total of 135 degrees, the keyboard-screen unit is offset laterally beyond the CKK and enables the user sitting in the back left to work ergonomically.

The keyboard is folded down and the screen is tilted slightly backwards. By folding down the keyboard, its right corner rests on the bottom edge of the CKK, forming a stable unit.

Claims (2)

! I , * «I **»·*·*·.!!**· <ingbüro,officebo.gebrmust.doc> Protection claims 1. Compact and mobile computer communication case with swing-out keyboard-screen unit for office, work, communication and entertainment &bull; characterized in that the case combines various and individual electronic devices, such as a PC, printer, scanner, flat screen, touchpad, keyboard, CD drive, floppy disk drive, mobile phone, video camera and power supply unit, permanently installed into a new, independent and portable unit. &bull; characterized in that the case combines a subset of the various and individual electronic devices described in the previous section into a new, independent and portable unit. 2. Computer communications case according to claim 1 &bull; characterized in that the keyboard-screen unit moves sideways around the operator from the case into the working position via a swivel arm. The keyboard-screen unit rotates by 120° under force. This entire movement sequence can be electrically driven or carried out manually. &bull; characterized in that even in the retracted position of the keyboard-screen unit on the case, work is possible by simply folding down the keyboard. &bull; characterized in that the top of the case can be opened and, when opened, forms the paper ejection compartment for the printer. &bull; characterized in that the carrying strap of the case is integrated in the lid and can take two positions: a short one as a handle and a long one as a shoulder strap. &bull; characterized in that the wide shoulder pad of the belt is combined with a carrying handle. &bull; characterized in that the case can be firmly connected to a console via a locking mechanism, which is attached to the back seat of a car, for example. This locking mechanism simultaneously connects the antenna and power supply. &bull; characterized in that a battery compartment for the power supply can be attached to the bottom of the case for mobile use.