Abstract:
A ruggedized, compact personal information appliance apparatus and process of manufacture is disclosed. The apparatus discloses an information appliance surrounded by an encapsulation element. The encapsulation element isolates predetermined exterior portions of the appliance from a predetermined set of environmental conditions. The process of manufacturing discloses: identifying a predetermined set of environmental conditions; identifying a predetermined set of structures on the appliance, which are to be protected from the environmental conditions; selecting an encapsulation element which can protect the appliance from the environmental conditions; and surrounding the set of structures with the encapsulation element.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to personal information appliances, and more particularly to a ruggedized, compact personal information appliance. 
     2. Discussion of Background Art 
     A Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) is becoming a generic term for any, typically handheld, computing device which permits users to store and retrieve information from in either business or consumer contexts. Often they are used for calendaring appointments and storing contact addresses. They can include a small keyboard, a touch sensitive pad, and some sort of display area. Others further included network communications capabilities permitting users to wirelessly download information or place phone calls. 
     The popularity of such PDAs stems primarily from this multi-functional ability to provide users with the information they need and when they need it, or so they are advertised as doing. In reality, PDAs are basically compact computers that would be more at home in a relatively sterile desktop environment or carried within a briefcases, as most laptops currently are. PDA warranties are often voided should such devices be exposed to harsh environmental conditions, including high exposure to water or excessive humidity, and being dropped. 
     Such current designs are also often boxy and awkward to use, requiring two hands and specific lighting conditions, so that their displays are not washed-out to the point of becoming very difficult to view. 
     In response to the concerns discussed above, what is needed is an information appliance apparatus that overcomes the problems of the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is an apparatus which includes an information appliance surrounded by an encapsulation element. The encapsulation element isolates predetermined exterior portions of the appliance from a predetermined set of environmental conditions. 
     The process of manufacturing the present invention includes the steps of: identifying a predetermined set of environmental conditions; identifying a predetermined set of structures on the appliance, which are to be protected from the environmental conditions; selecting an encapsulation element which can protect the appliance from the environmental conditions; and surrounding the set of structures with the encapsulation element. 
     These and other aspects of the invention will be recognized by those skilled in the art upon review of the detailed description, drawings, and claims set forth below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a frontal view of one embodiment of a ruggedized, compact personal information appliance; 
         FIG. 2  is a rearward view of one embodiment of the appliance; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of one embodiment of the appliance; 
         FIG. 4  shows a relative size of one embodiment of the appliance; and 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart of one embodiment of a method for manufacturing the appliance. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present invention is a ruggedized and preferably compact personal information appliance which in various embodiments can function as a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a voice recorder, a still camera, a video camera, and a networked communication device. In general the appliance can be any instrument for capturing, carrying, and/or sharing information. 
     Preferably the appliance is encapsulated in a weatherproof and shock absorbent shell providing a user with all weather capability and rugged durability, thereby enabling such users to truly remain connected wherever they go, be it on the ski slopes, at the beach, or Kayaking down a river. 
     The appliance is also preferably of an ovoid shape which can be carried as easily as a Swiss Army Knife or around the neck with a lanyard. And, an embedded micro-display window permits a user to view information not only in complete privacy, but under all lighting conditions. 
       FIG. 1  is a frontal view of one embodiment of a ruggedized, compact personal information appliance  100 . Only one preferred embodiment of the appliance  100  is shown, however those skilled in the art will recognize that the functional and structural element of the present invention may be in whole or part be formed into many other embodiments of the present invention. 
     The appliance  100  includes an ovoid shaped front surface  102  which is preferably opaque. The ovoid form provides an ergonomic and organic shape which can be easily held within only one of a user&#39;s hands. Ovoid is herein clarified as an asymmetrical egg shape having two different elliptical halves. 
     On the front surface  102  are preferably a set of information capture sensors, including a camera/video capture senor  104 , and a sound sensor  106 . Other sensors can be added as well. The camera/video capture senor  104  permits a user to capture a set of optical images and preferably includes optical zoom and image stabilization features. The sound sensor  106  permits the user to either make personal voice or ambient sound recordings. The sound sensor  106  in conjunction with a speaker, also permits the appliance  100  to function as a telephone. 
     The front surface  102  also shows a portion of a removable card slot  108 , (i.e. an I/O interface) which can accept memory cards  110  or other devices for storing and/or accessing data, including a computer interface. Wireless communication capability is preferably built-in to the appliance  100  as well. 
     A set of buttons  112  and  114  (i.e. a user control interface) at the periphery of the appliance  100  enable users to control a selected set of functionality within the appliance  100 , such as activation of the capture  104  or sound  106  sensors. 
     The appliance  100  also includes an encapsulation element  116 . The encapsulation element  116  preferably functions as a protective shell and isolates any sensitive components of the appliance  100  from a selective set of harsh environments and impacts. Such harsh environments may include, the outdoors, sand, dust, water, high humidity, chemicals, as well as others known to those skilled in the art. Impacts may include shock from dropping the appliance  100  from a variety of heights, scratches, and the like. The encapsulation element  116  can be formed using one or more layers of material. Materials include transparent or translucent materials, such as plastic or polycarbonate, as well as soft, shock-resistant materials, such as polymers, silicone, and rubber-like materials. 
       FIG. 2  is a rearward view  200  of one embodiment of the appliance  100 . The appliance  100  includes an ovoid shaped rear surface  202  overlaid with a first display area  204 , a second display area  206 , and enshrouded with the encapsulation element  116 . The first display area  204  is preferably used for presenting a user with a variety of control and selection information which can be either scrolled through, using one or more of the buttons  112  and  114 , or moused through, using a touch pad  208  (i.e. a user control interface). The touch pad  208  also preferably functions as a biometric lock, permitting only registered users to operate the appliance  100 . 
     The first display area  204  preferably extends as a skin to the outermost edges  214  through  220  of the rear surface  202 . In this way the appliance  100  can be sized as compactly as possible, while still providing a greatest display area possible. Preferably the first display area  204  includes a transition region next to the outermost edges of the rear surface  202 , which distorts (i.e. fades, blurs, etc.) information displayed on the first display area  204  which falls in to the transition region toward the edges of the appliance  100 , making such information look like it is falling off the page. Also, the first display area  204  preferably displays information in a “layered” format, whereby some information is sized relative to other information in order to create a three-dimensional effect. For example, a clock  210  is shown on top of other information  212  in the background. Multiple colors can also be used to help key a user to more important or more relevant information as well. The first display area  204  also can be used for previewing live camera images and video. 
     The second display area  206  is preferably a “micro-display” used for presenting information to the user both more privately and more completely. A user places the appliance  100  and the second display area  206  right next to their eye for private viewing of documents, e-mail, or other selected information. Second display area  206  screen images can be toggled or changed using the buttons  112  or  114  while the user is holding the second display area  206  next to their eye. The second display area  206 , in one embodiment, displays information using mini-LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes), allowing information to be viewed on the micro-display at a relative visual size equivalent to a 17″ monitor. Due to the second display area  206  small size and close up viewing position, the second display area  206  can be viewed under any lighting condition. 
     While a preferred set of information for each of the two display areas  204  and  206  has just been discussed, those skilled in the art recognize that such information can be either interchangeably, or even redundantly, displayed. 
       FIG. 3  is a side view  300  of the one embodiment of the appliance  100 , showing the front surface  102 , the sound sensor  106 , the card slot  108 , one button  112 , first display area  204 , and the encapsulation element  116 . 
       FIG. 4  shows a relative size  400  of the one embodiment of the appliance  100 . As shown, a user&#39;s hand  402  preferably can easily hold the appliance&#39;s  100  organic/ergonomic shape. The appliance  100  can alternatively be carried in a pocket, hung around the neck with a lanyard, thereby allowing the PDA to be readily carried and used in an all activity context. 
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart of one embodiment of a method  500  for manufacturing the appliance  100 . The method  500  begins in step  502  where the first display area  204  is extended to the outermost edges  214  through  220  of the appliance  100 . Next in step  504 , information displayed on the first display area  204  is intentionally distorted toward the outermost edges of the appliance  100 . In step  506 , the second display area  206  is preferably embedded within the first display area  204 ; however, those skilled in the art recognize that the second display area  206  could as well be located nearly anywhere on the appliance  100 . In step  508 , information displayed in the second display area  206  is of a predetermined, relatively small, size, requiring a user to view the displayed information by holding the second display area  206  at close proximity. Next in step  510 , preferably all portions of the appliance  100  are surrounded by the encapsulation element  116 , except the card slot  108 , the buttons  112  and  114 , the second display area  206 , and the touch pad  208 , thereby providing a significant amount of environmental exposure protection to the appliance  100 . 
     While one or more embodiments of the present invention have been described, those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications may be made. Variations upon and modifications to these embodiments are provided by the present invention, which is limited only by the following claims.