Abstract:
An apparatus for enclosing a tablet computer and for simplifying operation of the computer by senior citizens is described. The enclosure receives and supports a conventional table computer but purposefully occludes or blocks access to selected user-activated controls on the tablet such as the on-off switch, and control zone regions of the touch screen regions of the display. The enclosure is supported in a stand and includes speakers to amplify sound played through the tablet, and rechargeable batteries.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to apparatus for enclosing and augmenting touch screen tablet computers to make them easier to use by senior citizens. The apparatus provides for amplified sound, and physical barriers to unwanted buttons or controls on the tablet computer. It further preserves mobility for the tablet computer while maintaining amplified sound, provides physical protection of the tablet computer and provides for disconnection and reconnection to a charger without the need to insert or withdraw connectors. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Many senior citizens are reluctant to adopt Internet-based communications technologies because of the perceived technical complexity and risk of error in using such devices. Despite the relative simplicity of tablet computing devices, users are still required to have some considerable understanding of their use before they can successfully engage in email, text messaging, photo sharing or any number of other applications on these devices. 
         [0003]    Much of this reluctance is due to the ‘learning curve’ that must be climbed to understand the response of tablet computers to various inputs—such as ‘home’ buttons, power buttons, rotation of the device and touching different regions of the touch screen. For many users, particularly for seniors, the time and effort required to understand these actions is an insurmountable barrier to their use. 
         [0004]    Furthermore, there are many cases in which a user may need to hear sounds emanating from the tablet computer. These devices are constrained to enclose only very small loudspeakers that are able to produce a limited amount of sound, usually insufficient for a hearing-impaired senior to hear clearly. 
         [0005]    A further challenge for users of portable tablet computers is the need to regularly connect and disconnect the device from a battery charger. This usually requires the insertion or removal of a small connector that must be precisely aligned for successful connection. Such connectors are very difficult for senior citizens to manage. 
         [0006]    Although there are a number of display stands, protective cases and amplified speakers for tablet computers, none provide the desired mobility, ease of connection to the battery charger and the physical barrier to accidental activation of unwanted controls that are required for successful use by non-technical senior citizens. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The current invention provides an enclosure for a touch screen tablet computer such as the iPad (Apple Computer Corp), Galaxy Tab (Samsung Corporation) and many other suppliers. The enclosure provides a physical barrier that prevents users from activating the power button, volume buttons, home button or other external controls, and may extend over parts of the touch screen that are dedicated to control functions (for example the ‘navigation bar’ that is present on the touch screen of Android (Google Corporation) tablet computers), again to prevent unintended activation of these control functions. 
         [0008]    In addition to the physical barrier to the controls of the tablet computer, the enclosure according to the invention provides a protective structure around the tablet computer to prevent damage in the event of accidental drops or falls. 
         [0009]    In another aspect, the present invention incorporates an amplifier circuit and loudspeakers which are powered by batteries incorporated in the tablet computer or in the enclosure. This amplifier is connected to the tablet computer so as to amplify sounds emitted by the tablet computer, and being power by either the tablet computer batter or a battery in the enclosure, continues to operate even when the tablet computer is removed from an external power supply. 
         [0010]    The invention further provides for a charging stand upon which the tablet computer enclosure can be placed. When placed on the stand, the batteries of both the tablet computer and the amplifier (if present) are recharged. Connection to the charger is facilitated by electrical contacts or through inductive (non-contact) means. Mechanical means are provided to ensure correct alignment between the electrical contacts or inductive coupler on the tablet computer enclosure and the electrical contacts or inductive coupler on the charging stand, such mechanical means including either interlocking mechanical features or magnets or a combination of the two. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0011]    These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reference to the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiment presented herein and to the drawings wherein: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of the tablet computer enclosure and charging stand according to the invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  illustrates the apparatus of  FIG. 1  where the tablet computer enclosure is detached from the charger stand. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a rear view of the enclosure of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a schematic representation of the tablet enclosure of  FIG. 1  showing how the tablet computer, electrical components and speakers are disposed within the enclosure. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram of an amplifier and battery charging circuit according to the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0017]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of tablet computer enclosure  10  resting on charger stand  12 . As detailed below, enclosure  10  is adapted to enclose and retain a tablet computer  14 , which in the preferred embodiment is a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 tablet computer (Samsung Corporation), but may be any similar product such as the Apple iPad (Apple Computer Corporation). In the preferred embodiment, enclosure  10  and stand  12  are made of wood, however both parts could be made of any suitable material such as plastic or metal without changing the intent of the current invention. 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  further illustrates speaker grilles  16 , behind which are located speakers  18 , such that the sound produced by speakers  18  is projected through grilles  16  towards the user of the device. Enclosure  10  defines a peripheral frame  11  having a central opening  13  through which selected portions of the screen of tablet  14  are visible to the user. The size of central opening  13  is smaller than the size of the touch screen of the tablet computer. As described below, select portions of the touch screen are occluded by the peripheral frame so that the user cannot access and touch such occluded portions of the touch screen. Moreover, the enclosure intentionally occludes access to other “control surfaces” of the tablet  14  as defined below, such as, for example, the power button. 
         [0019]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , opening  20  is disposed to expose the camera element incorporated in tablet computer  14 . This allows the camera element in tablet computer  14  to observe the user through opening  20 . Opening  60  is disposed to provide an air passage to microphone  56 , located within enclosure  10  as hereinafter described. 
         [0020]    Stand  12  includes an upright supporting plate  17  against which enclosure  10  rests when the enclosure is connected with the stand  12 , and which is intended to hold enclosure  10  in an orientation that is suitable for easily viewing the screen of tablet computer  14 . In the preferred embodiment, the front surface of tablet computer  14  is held at an angle of about  22  degrees from vertical so that images displayed on the front surface of tablet computer  14  are easily visible from either a sitting or standing position when stand  12  is resting on a table. 
         [0021]      FIG. 2  shows the assembly of  FIG. 1  wherein enclosure  10  has been removed from stand  12 . Visible on upright supporting plate  17  of stand  12  are electrical spring contacts  22 , which in the preferred embodiment are four-position male modular contacts (70ADH-4-ML0, Bournes Inc.). Contacts  22  are connected to power supply module  32  via cable  34 . 
         [0022]    Magnets  24  are embedded in the supporting plate  17  of stand  24  in a position that causes them to align with similar magnets on the back side of enclosure  10  as hereinafter described. Magnets  24  are oriented such that their magnetic poles will mate with the opposite poles of the corresponding magnets on the back of enclosure  10 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 3  is a rear view of enclosure  10 . In this view, it can be seen that enclosure  10  incorporates rear cover  26  which is disposed to enclose the back side of tablet computer  14  as well as the amplifier and battery charging circuitry as hereinafter described. 
         [0024]      FIG. 3  also illustrates electrical contacts  30 , which in the preferred embodiment are four-position female modular contacts (70ADH-4-FL0, Bournes Inc.), and magnets  28  which are embedded in rear cover  26 . 
         [0025]    Magnets  24  and  28  and contacts  22  and  30  are positioned on enclosure  10  and stand  12  such that when magnets  24  and magnets  28  are pulled into alignment by their mutual magnetic attraction, contacts  22  and contacts  30  are pressed into alignment and contact with each other such that a good electrical connection is created between contacts  22  and contacts  30 . In this way, electrical power from power supply module  32  is delivered to the circuitry within enclosure  10  via contacts  22  and contacts  30 . 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , tablet computer  14  is located within the central opening  11  of peripheral frame  13  of enclosure  10  such that enclosure  10  covers region  40  of the touch screen incorporated in tablet computer  14  thereby occluding access to the covered region  40  to prevent the user from accessing any parts of the touch screen that control the operation of the table computer  14 . In the preferred embodiment, tablet computer  14  runs the Android operating system (Google Inc.), in which region  40  is used to incorporate touch screen regions that when activated, trigger various administrative functions of tablet computer  14 . Enclosure  10  also covers power button  42  and volume buttons  44  of tablet computer  14 . Covering these elements, that is, power button  42 , volume button  44 , and the touch screen portions of region  40  (all of which are referred to herein as “control surfaces” is done to ensure that the user of the present invention is prevented from touching, accidentally or intentionally, any of buttons  42 ,  44  or touch screen regions  40  so as to inadvertently trigger administrative functions of tablet computer  14 . The central opening  11  illustrated in the drawings is generally rectangular in shape. It will be appreciated that the central opening  11  may be provided in other geometric configurations so long as the function of occluding access to the control surfaces of tablet  14  is accomplished. 
         [0027]    Opening  62  provided access to power button  42  so that it may be operated by a tool, such as a metal pin or stiff wire. To turn tablet computer  14  on or off, the user inserts the tool into opening  62  to depress power button  42 . The opening  62  is too small for the user to access the power button  42  with his or her finger. 
         [0028]      FIG. 4  also illustrates how speakers  18  are positioned behind speaker grilles  16 . 
         [0029]    Electronics package  46 , shown schematically in  FIG. 4  and hereinafter described, is located behind tablet computer  14 , within rear cover  26 . Electronics package  46  is connected to electrical contacts  30 , headphone jack  48  and battery charging jack  50  of tablet computer  14 . 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , electronics package  46  comprises amplifier  52 , amplifier battery  54 , microphone  56  and battery charging circuit  58 . Many possible configurations and circuits for amplifying signals to drive speakers and for recharging batteries are well known in the art. 
         [0031]    In operation, audio signals generated by tablet computer  14  are delivered as a stereo signal from headphone jack  48  of tablet computer  14 . These signals are directed to amplifier  52  which in turn drives speakers  18 . In the preferred embodiment, headphone jack  48  of tablet computer  14  is also disposed to receive a signal from a microphone. The signal from microphone  56  is therefore also directed into headphone jack  48 . As can be seen in  FIG. 4 , microphone  56  is positioned behind opening  60  in enclosure  10  so that sound can pass through opening  60  to reach microphone  56 . 
         [0032]    Charging circuit  58  receives power from power supply module  32  via contacts  30  as previously described. Charging circuit  58  delivers power to amplifier batteries  54  which in turn provided power to amplifier  52 . Charging circuit  58  also delivers power to tablet computer  14  via charging jack  50 . 
         [0033]    In use, charging circuit  58  delivers a charging current to amplifier batteries  54 , amplifier circuit  52  and tablet computer  14  whenever enclosure  10  is placed onto charger stand  12 , thereby making an electrical connection between contacts  22  and contacts  30 . When enclosure  10  is removed from charger stand  12 , amplifier batteries  54  supply current to amplifier circuit  52  and the rechargeable batteries within tablet computer  14  supply current to tablet computer  14 . In this way, both amplifier circuit  58  and tablet computer  14  continue to operate when enclosure  10  is removed from charger stand  12 . This is useful for users who may wish to use tablet computer  14  while resting it in their lap or on a table. 
         [0034]    When enclosure  10  is returned to charger stand  12 , magnets  24  and  28  act to pull enclosure  10  into correct alignment with charger stand  12 , ensuring proper contact between contacts  22  and contacts  30 , re-establishing the electrical connection between power supply module  32  and charging circuit  58 . This greatly eases the process of reliably replacing enclosure  10  onto charger stand  12  for users who may no longer have fine motor skills, such as elderly users. 
         [0035]    Amplifier circuit  52  and speakers  18  act to greatly amplify audio signals created by software that may be running on tablet computer  14 . This is useful for users who may be hard of hearing. 
         [0036]    It will be appreciated that the foregoing disclosure in combination with the drawings describe an computer enclosure that allows a senior to view the display screen of a tablet computer, yet effectively occludes control surfaces to thereby prevent the senior from accessing that portions of the computer. The invention thus defines an apparatus and method for restricting access to defined portions of a tablet computer. 
         [0037]    Many different adaptations and variations of the subject invention are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention, therefore, the present invention should be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.