Abstract:
Disclosed is an improvement to the bag computer of application Ser. No. 11/796,920. The bag computer has a pivoting display panel near its top front which can store against the bag front or pivot into the line of sight of the bag computer wearer/operator. The display panel may have controls on the side opposite the display. To gain advantage through multiple components, the display panel may be divided into a front portion with display and back portion with controls. Ways to divide and assemble these display panel components are described and include: 1) direct attachment between the two portions with one portion connecting to the bag; 2) a fastening frame attaching the two portions with one portion connecting to the bag; 3) an attachment frame which connects to the bag and accepts the two portions.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a Continuation application of copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/387,594, filed on May 6, 2009, which is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/796,920, filed May 1, 2007. The disclosures of all of these U.S. patent applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a computer designed for mobile use. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Bag computers are composed of a bag and computer joined so that the display panel pivots around the top front end of the bag so it can lay approximately flat against the bag front when stored or pivot with its display facing outward into the line of sight of the operator when in use. There may be a keyboard lower down on the bag front and there may be manual controls on the back of the display panel. 
         [0004]    The bag computer was described in application Ser. No. 11/796,920. This application is a continuation on those inventions. 
         [0005]    One characteristic of the most popular computers is division into components. This allows the computer owner to buy or replaces less expensive individual components when needed. Choice can be made between various prices and makers so the owner can optimize the result of his array of options. Manufacturers, as well, may benefit from being able to concentrate of the production of one type of component. This invention aims to build on the bag computer concept by encouraging owner replaceable components for bag computers. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    A bag computer is a bag with a display panel pivotally attached to so that the display panel can pivot from a storage position approximately flat against the bag&#39;s front wall to an operating position away from the bag so that the display is in the line of sight of the operator/wearer and he can view the display. The display panel may be attached near the junction of the top and front walls so that the display is as near as possible to the operator/wearer and have the greatest apparent display size. There may be a cover and this may have a manual input device, such as a keyboard, on the inside surface so that the input devices is hidden when the cover is closed and covers the display but available for use when the cover flap is opened. The cover may pivot near the center of the bag&#39;s front and close by pivoting up and attaching to attachments near the top of the bag. On the back side of the display panel opposite the display, in other words facing downward as the operators views the display, there may be controls, such as a touch pad, that may be operated with the fingers while holding the display panel. The bag computer&#39;s computing unit may be in the display panel or may be mounted separately to the inside or outside of the bag. The majority of the bag interior is available for everyday cargo or peripherals which are accessible though an opening in the bag&#39;s top wall. 
         [0007]    The display panel may be removable from the bag. This may be done using a pivoting computer equipment mount (PCEM) which is comprised of a bag part and a display panel part which have complimentary attachments. One or both of these parts may include the hinge means or be part of the hinge means which allows the display to pivot on the bag. 
         [0008]    The PCEMs hinge means may be able to hold any angular position relative to the bag front. Instead, the display panel position may be maintained with a display panel prop which removably spans between the bag front and display panel back. 
         [0009]    In addition to the display, the display panel may have controls, display panel prop holders or finger guides. There may be a camera or communication antenna on the distal edge of the display panel (opposite the PCEM). 
         [0010]    To further divide the bag computer into components, the display panel may be divided into a front side display panel portion with display and back side display panel portion with controls along a plane parallel to the display panel front and back sides. 
         [0011]    The two display panel portions may be attached to each other directly with the display panel part of the PCEM fixed to one or the other display panel portion. Alternatively, the edge area of the two display panel portions may work in combination to form the display panel part of the PCEM. 
         [0012]    There may be a fastening frame to hold the two display panel portions together and the display panel part of the PCEM is located on either the front side or back side display panel portion. Alternatively, there may be an attachment frame which holds the two display panel portions together and also includes on the attachment frame the display panel part of the PCEM to connect the three parts to the bag. Either type or frame may include display prop fixtures, bumpers to contact the bag front or finger guides for the back side controls or prop fixtures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  The bag computer is seen here in storage position with its display panel parallel to and adjacent to the bag&#39;s front wall and the cover over the display panel. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  Here the bag computer has its display panel in the same position as in  FIG. 1  but the cover is open. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  Here the bag computer is in operating position with its diaply pivoted out into the line of sight of the wearer/operator. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4A  This is a front view of a manikin wearing and operating the bag computer. His hands are manipulating the controls on the back side of the display panel. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4B  This is a side view of a manikin wearing and operating the bag computer. His hands are manipulating the controls on the back side of the display panel. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  This is a detail of the parts of a bag computer including how the display panel is removable from the bag. The display is on the front side facing up. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6A  This is a figure of the display panel is tipped to show its back side including controls, tactile finger guides, bumpers, display prop holders and other details. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6B  This is a template or finger guide frame which fits the display panel and adds tactile finger guides, bumpers, display prop holders and other details. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7A  This is a front side view of the display panel showing details. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7B  This is a side edge view of the display panel showing details. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7C  This is a back side view of the display panel showing details. 
           [0024]      FIG. 7D  This is a side edge view of the display panel showing how it may be divided into a front side panel portion and a back side panel portion. In this embodiment the two parts are levered together with attachments. 
           [0025]      FIG. 8A  This view of the display panel shows an embodiment where the front and back side panel portions are attached using attachments found on one panel portion and matching the other portion. The mounting attachments to match the bag are found on the front side display panel portion. 
           [0026]      FIG. 8B  This shows the same parts as  FIG. 8A  but viewed from below so the display panel back side can be seen. 
           [0027]      FIG. 9A  This view of the display panel shows an embodiment where the front and back side panel portions are attached using attachments found on one panel portion and matching the other portion. The mounting attachments to match the bag are found on the back side display panel portion. 
           [0028]      FIG. 9B  This shows the same parts as  FIG. 9A  but viewed from below so the display panel back side can be seen. 
           [0029]      FIG. 10A  In this view the front and back side panel portions are attached using a separate fastening frame which, in this case, includes openings, tactile finger guides, bumpers, display prop holders and other details. 
           [0030]      FIG. 10B  This shows the same parts as  FIG. 9A  but viewed from below so the display panel back side can be seen. 
           [0031]      FIG. 11A  In this embodiment an attachment frame has an attachment means to connect with the bag. The attachment frame accepts slide-in front and back side panel portions. 
           [0032]      FIG. 11B  This shows the same parts as  FIG. 10A  but viewed from below so the display panel back side can be seen. 
           [0033]      FIG. 12  In this case a attachment frame is also used to attach to the bag while accepting slide-in front and back side panel portions. Here, however, the openings, tactile finger guides, bumpers, display prop holders are included as part of the frame. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0034]    A bag computer is a bag with a display panel, including input/output devices such as a display and graphic user input device, pivotally attached to the exterior of the bag so it may pivot horizontally from a storage position parallel to and adjacent the bag&#39;s front wall to an operating position away from the bag&#39;s front wall where the wearer/operator may view it. The bag computer&#39;s computing unit may be found in the display panel or elsewhere mounted to the bag&#39;s interior or exterior and is electrically connected to the display panel. A manual character input device such as a keyboard or electronic write pad may also be pivotally attached to the bag front. The bag computer may be seen as a system of components to facility the mobile use of a computer. 
         [0035]      FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3  show how a bag computer is deployed and used. As shown in  FIG. 1  the display panel, when pivotally attached to the bag  1 , is stored against the bag front  45  and may be covered with a cover, such as a cover flap  31  or rigid shaped cover. Shown in  FIG. 2 , when the cover  31  is repositioned, the display panel  22  is exposed for use. Here it can be seen that the display panel is in storage position with its front side  3 , including display  11 , and back side approximately parallel to the bag front wall exterior  45  and its back side adjacent to the exterior of the bag front wall. In  FIG. 3 , the display panel  22  is pivoted approximately around the junction of the front and top bag walls  23  to an operating position away from the bag front wall  45  with its display  11  properly oriented and in the line of sight of the operator/bag wearer so the display can be viewed and used. The back side of the display panel may have controls such as one or more touch pads, switched, or buttons, for operating the computer with fingers while holding and viewing the display on the display panel. The bag may have an opening  49  in its top wall to access the bag interior where peripherals or miscellaneous cargo may be stored. A keyboard  29  can be seen on the inside surface of the cover. 
         [0036]      FIG. 4A , frontal view, and  FIG. 4B , profile view, show the bag computer being worn by a manikin  46 . The bag shoulder strap  47  holds the bag computer  2  to the operator so the computer will not fall and he can use two hands for operating the display panel  22  back side  4  controls or operate the manual character input device, in this case a keyboard  29 . The display is in the line of sight  48  of the bag computer wearer. 
         [0037]    The display panel may be removable from the bag. In this case, the bag and display panel may be pivotally joined with complimentary mounting attachments on the bag and display panel, also collectively known as “pivoting computer equipment mounts” (PCEM). As shown in  FIG. 5 , one or more bag part PCEMs, also known as bag mounting attachments  59 , are found on the bag  1  and one or more complimentary display panel part PCEMs, also known as display panel mounting attachments  58 , are found on the display panel. The hinge means which allows pivoting may be part of the bag mounting attachment or part of the display panel mounting attachment or part of both. The PCEM leaves the back side of the display panel unobstructed so controls located there can be used The bag mounting attachments may be located at or near the junction  23  of the bag&#39;s front wall  45  and top wall  30  and the display panel mounting attachments may be located at or near the attachment edge  5  of the display panel. 
         [0038]    The actual character of the PCEM may vary although all combinations serve to pivotally attach the display panel to the bag so that the display panel may rest in storage position with its front and back sides approximately parallel to and adjacent to the bag front wall or may be pivoted to an operating position in the line of sight of the operator/wearer for operation. 
         [0039]    The PCEM hinge means may be capable of holding the angular position between the display panel and bag front wall with, for example, a ratchet or friction hinge. Instead, as in the case where the PCEM hinge means is a flexible fabric flap, the angular position between the display panel and bag front wall may be maintained using a display panel prop assembly  67  designed to extending between the bag front wall and display panel back side and temporarily support the display panel in one or more viewing positions. 
         [0040]    Because the display panel and bag have different life times, the display panel and bag may be separated for replacement or upgrading. The display panel  22  is of panel-like shape having front side  3  with display  11 , an opposite back side which may have controls, an attachment edge  5  closest to the bag, a distal edge  6  opposite the attachment edge and two side edges  7 . On or near the attachment edge there may be one or more display panel mounting attachments  58  which are the display panel part of the PCEM and are complimentary to bag mounting attachments located on the bag and pivotally connect the bag and display panel. 
         [0041]    The bag computer&#39;s computing equipment, such as the computing unit, batteries and communication equipment may be located in the display panel. Alternatively, some or all of the computer equipment may be located on the exterior or in the interior of the bag and connected electrically with the display panel by, for example, an electrical wire  8  and associated plug(s) designed to lead through an opening  47  in the bag associated with the front wall or bag mounting attachment. The electrical wire and plug may be attached to the display panel and be of specific length, size and shape to connect the display panel and computing unit while they are installed to the bag. The computing unit may be removably mounted to a bag mounting assembly fixed to the inside surface of the bag&#39;s front. Much of the remainder of the bag&#39;s interior may be left unoccupied so it may be used to hold miscellaneous cargo and/or peripherals. 
         [0042]      FIG. 6A  shows the back side  4  of the display panel  22  where controls may be found and be available for use when the operator holds and uses the display panel while it is attached to the bag. These controls may include one or more touch pads  9 , clickers, buttons  50 , slides or other means to communicate with the computing unit with the hands. 
         [0043]    The back side of the display panel may have prop holder, such as holes, sockets  51 , clips  52 , sliding fixtures, guides, runway, pins, or hinge means with mount to match and be complimentary to a display panel&#39;s prop bar which extends between the display panel and bag front and is used to support the display panel at one or more angles relative to the bag front wall. 
         [0044]    There may be several display panel back side prop holders properly spaced and angled to prop up the display panel in the most commonly used positions. Different types of holders may be used to accommodate holding the display panel at various horizontal angles versus holding the display panel vertical and parallel to the bag front and prop bar. There may be molded-in prop position guides  53  to help the fingers engage the bar end into the right prop position on the back of the display with the hands without looking. The display panel may have a means of spacing the display panel back from the bag front, such as display panel edges extended toward the bag front beyond the plane of the display panel back side, legs, bumpers  54  or display panel mounting attachment extending toward the bag front from the display panel back side or a recessed area in the display panel back side to matching the prop holders and prop bar, so that the display panel, when in storage position, may lay approximately flat against the bag without interference from the display panel prop assembly. 
         [0045]    The display panel back side may include finger guides  55  around or near specific controls to assist in finding these controls without looking. The finger guides may be in the form of molded in ridges around or near controls. As shown in  FIG. 6B , a removable finger guide template  56  or finger guide frame with tactile finger guide  55  features may be used to indicate control positions. The finger guide template or frame may be rigid and include clips to attach it to the display panel or may be thin and attach to the display panel with adhesive or attachments that are part of the display panel. Display panel prop holders  57  may be included in a finger guide template or finger guide frame  56  which may be removable from the display panel. The finger guide and display panel prop holder may be combined on the same finger guide template or frame. 
         [0046]    Shown in  FIGS. 7A ,  7 B,  7 C and  7 D, to further divide the bag computer system into components, the display panel may be divided into two display panel portions along a plane parallel to the display panel front side and back side. The two portions are the front side display panel portion  37  and back side display panel portion  36 . Each display panel portion has an outward facing surface  39  and an inward facing surface  40  and four edges. The outward facing surface of the front side display panel portion includes the display  11  and the outward facing surface back side display panel portion includes controls, for example, a touch pad  9  or other pointing device, switches or buttons  50 . When the two display panel portions are assembled when forming the display panel, their inward facing surfaces are adjacent. The display may include a touch screen. The outward facing surface of the back side display panel portion may be mostly touchpad with a finger guide overlaying it and defining programmable function areas. The outward facing surface back side display panel portion may include holders for a display panel prop  60 . Either display panel portions may be replaced whenever desired. The front side display panel portion and back side display panel portion may be held together with an attachment means. The two display panel portions are electrically connected with the computing unit and this connection may be located anywhere on or near the attachment edge of the display panel. The connection may be a wire with plug  10  to match the computing unit. 
         [0047]    In one embodiment the attachment means holding the two display panel portions together may be comprised of a first attachment pair  41  on one adjacent edge of the two display panel portions and used to lever the panels together while a second attachment pair  42  hold the opposite adjacent edges of the display panel portions together. Examples of the first attachment pair use to lever the display panel portions together may include a hook, plug, ledge or socket. Examples of the second attachment pair include a clamp with screw, clip or other attachment. The display panel mounting attachment may be attached to either of the display panel portions. Instead, the display panel mounting attachment  58  may be formed by a combination of adjacent edges of the two display panel portions, for example, where the adjacent edges of the panel portions act as two jaws  58  to clamp the bag mounting attachments between them and hold the display panel to the bag. 
         [0048]    The two display panel portions may have an electrical connection  10  between them. The electrical connection may be combined with one of the attachment pairs. Alternatively, each display panel portion may have an independent electrical connection  8  connecting the display panel portion with a separate computing unit. 
         [0049]    In a second embodiment the attachment means holding the two display panel portions may be comprised of attachments on one or both of the two display panel portions which hold the two display panel portions together. The attachments may be clips, channels to slide on matching panel edges or rails, pins, or other means to attach the two panel portions. As shown in  FIG. 8A , a view of the two parts from an angle showing upper surfaces, and in  FIG. 8B , a view of the two parts from an angle showing lower surfaces, attachment clips  61  may be included on the back side display panel portion  36  and these match the body shape of the front side display panel portion  37  to hold the two parts together. Although, in this case, the display panel mounting attachment are part of the front side display panel portion, the display panel mounting attachment  58  may be located on either of the two display panel portions. The two display panel portions may have an electrical connection  10  between them. Alternatively, each display panel portion may have an independent electrical connection  8  connecting the display panel portion with a separate computing unit. 
         [0050]    Shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , the display panel mounting attachment  58  is part of the back side display panel portion  36  and the front side display panel portion  37  is removable. Again, attachments  61 , such as channels to slide on matching panel edges or rails or clips, may be used to physically connect the two panel portion and an electrical connection  10  may be used to electrically connect the two panel portions. There may be a separate electrical connection  8  to lead to the computing unit attached to the bag. 
         [0051]    In a variation on this embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 10A and 10B , the attachment means holding the two display panel portions together may be comprised of a separate fastening frame  62  that includes attachments  61  which match and hold the back side display panel portion  36  and the front side display panel portion  37  together. The fastening frame may also include finger guides with guiding features such as openings  63 , bumps, ridges  64  or other features in relief, to help the operator feel the position of controls on the display panel back side. The fastening frame may also include prop holders  66  or bumpers  65 . The display panel mounting attachment may be located on fastening frame or either of the display panel portions. The two display panel portions may have an electrical connection  10  between them. Alternatively, each display panel portion may have an independent electrical connection  8  connecting the display panel portion with a separate computing unit. 
         [0052]    In a third embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 11A ,  11 B and  12  the attachment means holding the two display panel portions together may be comprised of a separate attachment frame  62  designed to fit and hold the back side display panel portion  36  and the front side display panel portion  37  together and to the bag. The attachment frame has an attachment edge which has the display panel mounting attachment  58  which attaches the frame to the bag. The attachment frame has holding parts, such as receptacles, guides, rails  68  or gripping arms, to hold and retain the display panel portions in the attachment frame. The holding parts may match the shape of or complimentary attachments on the display panel portions. 
         [0053]    The attachment frame may be box-like with one or more openings  63  to allow the display panel portions to be installed and to allow access to the display panel portions for operation after they are installed. 
         [0054]    The display panel portions may slide into the receptacles of the attachment frame from one edge and in a direction parallel to the plane of the display panel front and back surface. Any edge of the attachment frame may be used for installation. 
         [0055]    Electrical connection may be by plug between each display panel portion and the computing unit. Alternatively, there may be an electrical connection  10  between each of the display panel portions and the attachment frame. In this case, the attachment frame has a separate electrical connection  8  between the attachment frame and the external computing unit. In another alternative, the two panel portions may electrically connected directly with one of the display panel portions electrical connected to the attachment frame. 
         [0056]    Finger guides, bumpers and prop holders may be included with the back side display panel portion. Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 12 , the finger guides  64 , bumpers  65  and prop holders  66  may be included as part of the attachment frame  62  with the back side display panel portion  36  being operated through finger guide openings  63  in the frame. The attachment frame may include the display panel mounting attachment  58 . The attachment frame holds the front side display panel portion  37  and the front side display panel portion.