Environment control apparatus for use with a portable computer

An environment control apparatus having a shell adapted to be placed adjacent to a portable device and a heating element positioned to heat the shell and the adjacently positioned portable device. The heating element includes structure for receiving power from a power source and is selected to maintain the portable device at a temperature above a predetermined minimum temperature.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Portable computer equipment is typically transported in a padded bag or 
case. The delicate components used to construct the portable equipment 
require certain environmental conditions. For example, one portable laptop 
manufacturer has specified the following operating environmental 
requirements: temperature range 50.degree. F. to 104.degree. F. and 
relative humidity 10% to 90%. The following non-operating conditions are 
also specified: temperature range 40.degree. F. to 49.degree. F. and 
105.degree. F. to 140.degree. F. and relative humidity 5% to 95%. 
The adverse effects of cold and moisture on a portable computer include 
mechanical failure, electronic failure, deterioration, and data storage 
difficulties including data loss. 
While electronic components operate well in cold temperatures, mechanical 
components encounter difficulties. For example, the recommended 
temperature range for operation of a standard floppy disk drive is 
approximately 40.degree. F. to 115.degree. F. At the low end, the 
mechanical portions of the disk drive tend to operate sluggishly and with 
an increased possibility of data storage and retrieval errors. In 
addition, the silicon material from which the floppy disks are constructed 
becomes brittle in the cold temperature and may also contribute to 
potential operating difficulties. 
Additional environmental concerns have been raised for equipment which 
employs a liquid crystal display (hereinafter referred to as "LCD"). The 
LCD material is known to coagulate at temperatures below 32.degree. F. 
Exposure to such temperatures may result in the formation of black and 
white bubbles in the liquid crystal material, which causes a deterioration 
in the performance of the LCD. 
Additional concerns exist due to the formation of condensation on equipment 
which has been transported from a cold environment to a warm environment. 
The potential for damage to the electrical system is increased when the 
computer is powered while condensation is present. The build up of 
condensation on electrical components may cause electrical problems 
including failure and/or damage. The effects of moisture, over time, can 
also cause mechanical failure, corrosion, oxidation and rusting. 
At present, the industry recommends that before powering up a computer that 
was transported from a cold environment, the computer be placed in the 
warmer environment until the temperature of the computer is substantially 
the same as that of the warmer environment. 
While the gradual temperature equalization associated with waiting before 
powering the equipment reduces some of the mechanical problems associated 
with a cold piece of equipment, it fails to offer sufficient protection 
for the LCD and it requires a substantial amount of temperature 
equalization time. 
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a 
transportation environment control device for a portable computer which 
maintains the transportation environment of the computer at levels which 
minimize the need to wait before one can safely operate a computer after 
transporting it through a cold environment. 
It is a further objective to provide an environment control device which 
may be used with an existing computer transporting bag. 
It is also a objective to provide an environment control device which is 
powered by the battery of the portable computer. 
It is a further objective to provide an environment control device which is 
incorporated into a computer transport bag. 
It is also an objective to provide an environment control device which 
incorporates a portable power supply. 
BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
An electronic equipment environment control device which includes a shell 
adapted to be placed adjacent to a portable device and a heating element 
positioned to heat the shell and the adjacently positioned portable 
device. The heating element includes structure for receiving power from a 
power source and is selected to maintain the portable device at a 
temperature above a predetermined minimum temperature.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
Referring to FIG. 1, an environment control apparatus 30 according to the 
present invention provides shell 32 adapted to be placed adjacent to a 
portable device and heating element 34 positioned to heat shell 32 and the 
adjacently positioned portable device. Heating element 34 provides means 
36 for receiving power from an external power source. During operation, 
heating element 34, when powered by an external power source, maintains 
the portable device at a temperature above a predetermined minimum 
temperature. 
Referring to FIG. 2, heating element 34 includes heating conductor 38 
connected to contact 40 of means for receiving power 36. As illustrated in 
FIGS. 1 and 2, means for receiving power 36 takes the shape of a 
connector. 
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a second embodiment of environment control 
apparatus provides shell 32, heating element 34 and power supply 42. Power 
supply 42 and heating conductor 38 are interconnected by means 36 for 
receiving power from a power source. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, 
means 36 for receiving power form the power source are electrical 
connections. 
For purposes of convenience, elements on embodiments which are similar are 
identified with the same identification numeral. 
Shell 32, as illustrated in FIG. 4, is constructed of two plies of material 
44, 46. A cavity 48 is provided between said two plies of material 44, 46. 
Alternatively, two plies of material 44 and 46 need not provide a cavity 
therebetween. 
Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, shell 32 is constructed to receive heating 
element 34. Means 36 for receiving power from an external power source 
extends through shell 32. Shell 32 comprises two plies of material 44, 46 
so as to provide cavity 48 within which heating element 34 is positioned. 
To provide a fourth embodiment, the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 
may be further modified as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. In particular, 
insulation material 50 is added between heating element 34 and ply 46 of 
material which is used to construct shell 32. 
Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, a fifth embodiment of the environment control 
apparatus 30 comprises shell 32, heating element 34 means 36 for receiving 
power from an external power supply and flexible member 52 providing first 
and second elements 54, 56 for positioning shell 32 adjacent to at least 
one side of a portable device (shown in shadow). The dimensions of shell 
32 may be such as to exceed the external dimensions of the portable device 
being heated thereby or, as illustrated, may be smaller than the external 
dimensions of the portable device. The important feature is that the heat 
provided by the environment control apparatus 30 is sufficient to maintain 
the temperature of the portable device above the predetermined minimum 
temperature. 
The environment control apparatus 30 illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 may be 
modified to incorporate a power supply 42 as illustrated in the embodiment 
of FIGS. 3 and 4. 
Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, the environment control apparatus 30 provides 
a shell 32 constructed of two plies of material 44, 46. Insulating 
material 50 is positioned between first ply 44 and second ply 46 of shell 
32. 
Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, the environment control apparatus 30 includes 
shell 32 constructed of first ply 44 and second ply 46 creating cavity 48 
therebetween. Heating element 34 and power supply 42 are positioned within 
cavity 48 of shell 32. Flexible member 52 includes first and second 
elements 54, 56 for positioning environment control apparatus 30 adjacent 
to the portable device (shown in shadow). 
Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, the environment control apparatus 30 is 
constructed having a central opening 58 adapted to receive a portable 
device. Heating element 34 may be embedded within or attached to one or 
more plies 44, 46 of shell 32. 
The environment control apparatus 30 illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16 may be 
modified so as to permit the opening and closing of shell 32 around the 
portable device as illustrated in FIG. 17. A removable connection between 
the two overlapping layers 60, 62 may include a reusable fastener such as 
Velcro or the like. In addition, the environment control apparatus 30 
illustrated in FIG. 17 provides power supply 42. The construction 
illustrated in FIG. 17 enables environment control apparatus 30 to 
accommodate a variety of sizes of portable devices. 
Referring to FIG. 18, the construction of shell 32 may be modified to 
provide an envelope or case-like structure which provides cavity 58 for 
receiving a portable device. Shell 32 may include an handle and act as a 
carrying case for a portable device or may used in connection with an 
existing carrying case by inserting the portable device into the 
environment control apparatus 30, which in turn is inserted into an 
existing carrying case. 
The predetermined temperature to be maintained by each of the environment 
control apparatus 30 embodiments discussed herein is to be less than 
140.degree. F. and is preferably 40.degree. F., 55.degree. F., or 
65.degree. F. At no time, should the temperature fall below 32.degree. F. 
In addition, each of the environment control apparatus 30 disclosed herein 
may provide a hygroscopic material to reduce the buildup of condensation 
on a portable device protected thereby. More specifically, a silica gel 
may be inserted between the two plies of material 44, 46 which are used to 
construct shell 32 to include the added benefit of moisture absorption. 
Furthermore, in each of the environment control apparatus 30 disclosed 
herein, at least one ply of material used to construct shell 32 may be 
moisture resistant material so as to provide a moisture barrier. 
Referring to FIG. 19, shell 32 may be constructed as a housing of the 
portable device and heating element 34 is positioned outside of the 
housing. As an alternative embodiment, heating element 34 is positioned 
within the housing. 
While a number of embodiments have been described having specific features, 
it is not beyond the scope of the present invention that any one or more 
features of one embodiment may be combined with any one or more features 
of other embodiments.