Abstract:
A compact handheld notebook computer using flash memory to store, retrieve and display information needed by emergency responders is designed for prolonged use under severe conditions and utilizes an electrophoretic display to conserve energy and provide a high resolution display more readable than LCD displays.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to handheld computers used to store, retrieve and display information useful to emergency response personnel at the scene of an automobile accident, explosion, fire, flood, violent crime, terrorist attack, natural catastrophe, or other life-threatening circumstances. More particularly, this invention relates to compact handheld computers which are able to withstand hostile environments and function reliably in extreme conditions such as often occur in emergency situations. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     For first responders at the scene an emergency, the difference between saving a life and being too late is often only a matter of minutes, or even seconds. First responders need quick access to information to enable them to deal safely with the situations they encounter. For example, a responder at the scene of an automobile accident may have to cut into a vehicle and extricate an injured occupant. In that situation, the responder will need to know the location of hazardous items, such as fuel tanks, fuel lines, air bags, batteries, which may explode if a torch is applied in the wrong place. The need exists, therefore, to equip emergency responders with a handheld computer with which they can quickly access data to enable them to perform their life-saving tasks safely. 
     A number of U.S. patents and published patent applications describe computer systems used for acquiring and distributing emergency response information. Examples are Orr et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,815,417, Burge, Pub. No. US2002/0103622, Andrew, U.S. Pat. No. 6,882,706, Andrew, Pub. No. US2005/0157853, Veith et al., Pub. No. US2006/0212195, Robinson, U.S. Pat. No. 7,280,038, Herard, Jr., Pub. No. US2007/0103288, Haas et al., Pub. No. US2007/0105528, and Thijs et al., Pub. No. US2007/0218869. Since these systems utilize a central server and network to gather and distribute data from responders at the emergency scene, they rely on wireless communications links that may not be available at the emergency scene or may have been disrupted by catastrophic events. Similarly, Larson et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,556,904, describes a computer system for sending motor vehicle data from a remote server to a local computer. But here again the system depends on network accessibility to operate. These network-based systems also involve substantial costs in terms of server equipment and network administration. 
     In the marketplace there are software packages that run on personal computers and provide information useful to emergency responders. One example is the Crash Recovery System (CRS) software offered by the Dutch company Moditech. The CRS software can be installed in a conventional laptop or tablet personal computer. It accepts vehicle identification input either by make/model/year or by license plate number (utilizing the national DOT database). The CRS system displays top and side views of the vehicle indicating location of body components, safety features and potentially hazardous components, along with directions for safely removing and/or disabling such components. 
     But several factors limit the utility of such software systems at the scene of an emergency. General purpose personal computers, even those of the portable varieties, are not so compact that they will not interfere with the mobility of an emergency responder, who may need to climb, crawl or swim, depending on the circumstances. General purpose personal computers are also too delicate to function reliably in hostile environments. Such computers require volatile dynamic RAM memory (DRAM), which can only be provided by disk drives. Since disk drives are notoriously vulnerable to shocks and vibrations, they cannot be relied upon in turbulent emergency situations. Disk drives also use a lot of energy, which either results in short battery life or requires large, heavy batteries. The high rate of energy consumption by personal computers with disk-drive RAM also necessitates heat-dissipating fans, which clog and cause overheating in dusty environments. 
     Another source of high energy consumption in general purpose personal computers is the display. The volatile, light-emitting displays of such computers, based on LCD or CRT technology, require a continuous supply of energy to maintain the displayed images. LCD displays suitable for portable computing devices suffer from limited resolution and constrained viewing angle, and such displays are obscured in strong ambient light, such as direct sunlight or a fire&#39;s glare. The lack of fine resolution capability is a particular drawback for a very compact computer display. 
     Like the network-based systems, the software-based systems for emergency response data involve high costs of computer equipment and maintenance. 
     Therefore, the prior art in this field affords no compact computer device with the characteristics that would make it suitable for use at the scene of an emergency. The requisite characteristics include:
         Low equipment and maintenance costs   Compact, lightweight, mobile and rugged hardware   Low energy demand enabling prolonged use with lightweight batteries   Ability to withstand extreme temperature, pressure, moisture, smoke, dust and/or kinetic shock   Fast and reliable access to needed data       

     The present invention addresses these requirements by providing a compact hand-held computer device having the following features:
         A small notebook-type configuration with a keypad and display screen   No disk drives, only flash memory   Simple operating system handling keypad input and display functions   Embedded operating system and single-application software stored in flash memory   Single-application software for reading a digital database and displaying text and graphics   USB port(s) for plug-in flash memory modules   Various emergency database packets stored on multiple plug-in flash memory modules in HTML format   Electrophoretic display with high resolution, viewable at wide angles and in direct sunlight, with minimal power consumption   Optional data connectivity using third generation telecommunications standard, such as GSM, UMTS or EVDO       

     The key features that make the present invention suitable for use by emergency responders are the flash memory and electrophoretic display. Unlike DRAM, flash memory is non-volatile, which means no electrical power is needed to maintain the data stored on the chip. This enables the responder to operate the device in the field for many hours without the need for either cumbersome batteries or frequent battery replacement/recharging. Flash memory also enables fast access to stored data and much better kinetic shock resistance than disk-drive memory. These features enable the emergency responder to retrieve safety data quickly and to avoid hard-drive failures when the computer is jostled around in chaotic circumstances. Flash memory is also durable and able to withstand intense pressure, extreme temperature, and immersion in water, all of which are conditions likely to occur at an emergency scene. 
     To complement the energy-conserving non-volatile flash memory, the present invention uses an energy-conserving non-volatile electrophoretic display (EPD). EPDs form images by electrophoretic motion of charged pigment particles. They provide high contrast, high resolution images comparable to a printed page. Unlike LCDs, EPDs are viewable in direct sunlight at nearly any angle, and they require no power to maintain the displayed image. EPDs are widely used in “E-Book” reading devices, such as the iRex iLiad and the Amazon Kindle. Because they lack the rapid refresh rate of LCDs, EPDs are not suitable for video applications, which explains why they are not used in general purpose personal computers. But they are ideal for viewing static text and graphic images, which is all the present invention requires. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a compact, light-weight, inexpensive, easy-to-use computer designed specifically to store, retrieve and display information pertaining to hazards encountered by emergency responders and to methods for safely dealing with such hazards. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a handheld emergency response computer that is able to withstand extreme conditions of temperature, pressure, humidity/moisture, dust, smoke, corrosive fumes, and vibration and operate reliably for long periods in such hostile environments. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a handheld emergency response computer that can operate reliably for extended periods of time without the need for heavy batteries or frequent battery replacement/recharging. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a handheld emergency response computer that does not require volatile disk-drive memory, but instead uses non-volatile flash memory, which requires less energy and is well adapted to harsh environments. 
     Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a handheld emergency response computer that has a simple embedded operating system sufficient to handle keypad input and display functions and to run one application software that retrieves and displays safety data from a digital database. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a handheld emergency response computer that accesses various interchangeable packets of safety data stored on plug-in flash memory modules. 
     Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a handheld emergency response computer having a compact, high resolution, non-volatile EPD display screen, which conserves energy and is readable in direct light. 
     All of the foregoing and many other beneficial objectives are achieved by the unique features of the present invention. In its external structure, the computer has a compact notebook configuration, comprising two panels attached together by a hinge. The two panels consist of a display panel hingeably attached to a keyboard panel. When the notebook is open, the keyboard panel is oriented horizontally and the display panel is oriented vertically. The display panel has an obverse face containing a display screen and a reverse face consisting of a hardened shell of durable, corrosion-resistant plastic. The keyboard panel has an obverse face containing a keypad and a reverse face consisting of a hardened shell of durable, corrosion-resistant plastic. A resilient sealing strip is provided along the periphery of the obverse face of the keyboard panel, such that when the panels are closed together, the sealing strip forms a secure, continuous seal that protects the obverse faces of both panels from exposure to harmful elements. A latch mechanism with cooperating components on the obverse faces of both panels secures the panels together when closed. Connected to one or both of the reverse faces of the two panels are one or more lanyard attachments, whereby the closed computer can be attached to a garment, strap or belt of the emergency responder in order to free both of their hands for other tasks. 
     In the panels are components of computer hardware comprising the display, the keypad, one or more embedded flash memory modules, and one or more USB ports and/or SD card slots. The display screen utilizes an electrophoretic medium of the type described in a number of patents assigned to E Ink Corporation, including U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,304,787 and 7,312,916, and the various patents referenced therein. The keypad is of the sealed membrane type in order to endure harsh environments. The keypad has a full set of alphanumeric keys in standard QWERTY style and a point-and-click device. 
     In the panels are also components of computer software comprising an embedded operating system (OS) and single-application software, both of which reside in the embedded flash memory module(s). On a plurality of plug-in flash memory modules are stored packets of various types of safety data in digital database format. By way of example, one such packet could contain information and graphics on how to handle hazardous materials, while another packet could contain information and graphics on how to contain and extinguish certain types of fires. When the appropriate flash memory module in plugged in to one of the USB port and/or SD card slots, the emergency responder can retrieve needed information by typing in keywords or clicking on a menu hyperlink. 
     Safety information stored on any one of the plug-in flash memory modules is periodically updated by: (i) downloading updated information to a personal computer from a central databank or website, (ii) plugging the flash memory module into one of the USB ports or SD card slots of the personal computer, and (iii) transferring the updated information from the personal computer to the flash memory module. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the computer hardware also includes a telecommunications module capable of high-speed data transmission and reception, using standards such as third-generation GSM, UMTS or EVDO. This feature enables multiple emergency responders to exchange information at the emergency scene or to access data from a remote central databank. 
     Optionally, the present invention also includes an internal bar-code reader, of the type known the art, and a laser bar-code scanner that can be plugged into one of the USB ports. This feature enables the computer to access bar-coded data relating to vehicles, such a VIN numbers, or bar-coded data regarding hazardous materials at the emergency scene. 
     Optionally, the present invention also includes a combination storage rack and battery charger, which can be installed in the cab of an emergency response vehicle so as to provide quick access to the computer and keep it fully charged and ready for use. This computer rack-charger operates on the same principles as dashboard-mounted flashlight receptacle-chargers that are known in the art, such as Thomas, U.S. Pat. No. 4,819,139. 
     The benefits and capabilities of the present invention will be more fully understood by referring to the drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment which follow. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective obverse view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing the hardware and software configuration in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the preferred embodiment of the present invention  10  has a compact notebook configuration, comprising two panels  11  attached together by a hinge  32 . The two panels  11  consist of a display panel  12  hingeably attached to a keyboard panel  13 . When the notebook is open, the keyboard panel  13  is oriented horizontally and the display panel  12  is oriented vertically. The display panel  12  has an obverse face  14  containing a display screen  15  and a reverse face  16  consisting of a hardened shell of durable, corrosion-resistant plastic. The keyboard panel  13  has an obverse face  17  containing a keypad  18  and a reverse face  19  consisting of a hardened shell of durable, corrosion-resistant plastic. A resilient sealing strip  20  is provided along the periphery of the obverse face  17  of the keyboard panel  13 , such that when the panels  11  are closed together the sealing strip  20  forms a secure, continuous seal that protects the obverse faces  14   17  of both panels  11  from exposure to harmful elements. A latch mechanism  33  with cooperating components on the obverse faces  14   17  of both panels  11  secures the panels together when closed. Connected to one or both of the reverse faces  16   19  of the two panels  11  are one or more lanyard attachments  21 , whereby the closed computer can be attached to a garment, strap or belt of the emergency responder in order to free both of their hands for other tasks. 
     In the panels  11  are components of computer hardware comprising the display screen  15 , the keypad  18 , one or more embedded flash memory modules  23 , and one or more USB ports and/or SD card slots  24 . The display screen  15  utilizes an electrophoretic medium of the type described in a number of patents assigned to E Ink Corporation, including U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,304,787 and 7,312,916, and the various patents referenced therein. The keypad  18  is of the sealed membrane type in order to endure harsh environments. The keypad  18  has a full set of alphanumeric keys  25  in standard QWERTY style and a point-and-click device  26 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the panels  11  also contain components of computer software comprising an embedded operating system (OS)  22  and single-application software  28 , both of which reside in the embedded flash memory module(s)  23 . On a plurality of plug-in flash memory modules  29  are stored packets of various types of safety data in digital database format (labeled A, B, C and D in  FIG. 2 ). By way of example, one such packet could contain information and graphics on how to handle hazardous materials, while another packet could contain information and graphics on how to contain and extinguish certain types of fires. When the appropriate flash memory module  29  is plugged in to one of the USB ports and/or SD card slots  24 , the emergency responder can retrieve needed information by typing in keywords using the alphanumeric keys  25  or clicking on a menu link using the point-and-click device  26 . 
     Safety information stored on any one of the plug-in USB flash memory modules  29  is periodically updated by: (i) downloading updated information to a personal computer (not shown) from a central databank or website, (ii) plugging the flash memory module  29  into one of the USB ports or SD card slots of the personal computer, and (iii) transferring the updated information from the personal computer to the flash memory module  29 . 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the computer hardware also includes a telecommunications module  30  capable of high-speed data transmission and reception, using standards such as third-generation GSM, UMTS or EVDO. This feature enables multiple emergency responders to exchange information at the emergency scene or to access data from a remote central databank. 
     Optionally, the present invention also includes an internal bar-code reader  31 , of the type known the art, and a laser bar-code scanner (not shown) that can be plugged into one of the USB ports. This feature enables the computer to access bar-coded data relating to vehicles, such a VIN numbers, or bar-coded data regarding hazardous materials at the emergency scene. 
     Optionally, the present invention also includes a combination storage rack and battery charger (not shown), which can be installed in the cab of an emergency response vehicle so as to provide quick access to the computer and keep it fully charged and ready for use. 
     To illustrate how an emergency responder would use the present invention, let us consider an accident scene in which an unconscious, injured driver is pinned inside his wrecked automobile. The responder needs to extricate the driver so that first aid can be administered and so that the driver may be placed in an ambulance. But to extricate the driver safely, the responder needs to know the location of various vehicle hazards, such as fuel tanks, un-inflated airbags, etc. On one of the plug-in flash memory modules  29  is a data packet containing hazard information for various types of motor vehicles. The responder plugs this module  29  into one of the USB ports or SD card slots  24 , whereupon the operating system  27  recognizes the module  29  and opens the application software  28  to read and display its contents. If the responder is able to identify the vehicle&#39;s make, model and year by inspection, he can key in the identification or click on a menu hyperlink. If the responder cannot identify the vehicle by inspection but can read the license plate or VIN numbers, he can use the telecommunications module  30  to access a vehicle registration databank. Alternately, he can obtain the VIN number of the vehicle using the bar-code reader  31  if the vehicle has VIN bar-codes. 
     Once the appropriate vehicle identification is entered, the display screen  15  will show one or more views of the vehicle indicating the locations of critical hazard items such as fuel tanks, batteries, airbags, etc. The high resolution of the EPD display  15  makes the graphic display readable despite its compact size. The keypad  18  enables the responder to zoom in on graphic details of each hazard item. Each of the hazard items also has a hyperlink label, which the responder can click on to obtain further information. If, for example, he notices that one of the airbags has not deployed, he can click on the hyperlink for the airbag and obtain instructions on how to safely disable it. 
     While this invention has been described with reference to a specific embodiment, the description is not to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiment, as well other embodiments of the invention, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to this description. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will cover any such modifications or embodiments that fall within the true scope of this invention.