Patent Document

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to wearable mobile computers. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Wearable mobile computers typically have an inexpensive wearable component that is issued to an employee and used only by the particular employee or group of employees. Often this is done for hygiene issues or to address special employee functions. Mobile computers typically are worn on a type of wearable component (e.g. straps, belts, headsets, etc.), and may be attached and removed from these components as they are required by the user. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention relates to a system which may include (a) a holder including a wearable component, (b) a dock coupled to the wearable component; (c) a memory coupled to the dock; and (d) a computing device removeably coupled to the dock. The computing device receives from and stores data to the memory. The data is capable of causing the coupled computing device to automatically adopt a mode of another computing device coupled to the dock at a different time. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  show an exemplary embodiment of a system according to the present invention. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  shows an exemplary embodiment of a holder according to the present invention. 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  shows an exemplary embodiment of a mobile computer according to the present invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  shows an exemplary embodiment of a mechanical arrangement of the holder and the mobile computer according to the present invention. 
           [0008]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  shows an exemplary embodiment of components of a holder and components of a mobile computer according to the present invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 6  shows an exemplary embodiment of a method of communication between a mobile computer and a holder according to the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 7  shows an exemplary embodiment of a network of systems according to the present invention 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]    The present invention may be further understood with reference to the following description and the appended drawings, wherein like elements are referred to with the same reference numerals. 
         [0012]      FIG. 1A  shows an exemplary embodiment of a system  180 , in a coupled state, comprising a smart holder  100  and a mobile computer  150  coupled thereto.  FIG. 1B  shows system  180  in a decoupled state. With reference to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , an exemplary holder  100  according to the present invention comprises a wearable component  105  and a dock  110  integrally attached thereto. An exemplary mobile computer  150  according to the present invention comprises a housing  120 , an attachment component  125 , and a data-input arrangement  130 . To achieve the system of  FIG. 1A , dock  110  permits attachment component  125  to couple to holder  100 . In a coupled state, system  180  may immediately begin operating as a single device. 
         [0013]      FIG. 2  shows an exemplary holder  100  according to the present invention. Wearable component  105  may be formed into any number of shapes and articles capable of attaching holder  100  to a user (i.e. gloves, belts, headsets, sleds, ring holders, wrist holders, etc.). Wearable component  105  may utilize attachment areas  140  to secure holder  100  to the user (i.e., Velcro®, buckles, magnets, etc.). Wearable component  105  may provide for embedded electronic devices to reside within the fabric or other material used as part of wearable component  105 . Preferably, holder  100  is relatively inexpensive so that it may be mass-produced and distributed to a number of users. 
         [0014]    The dock  110  is integrally attached to wearable component  105  such that the user remains unencumbered when system  180  is in the coupled state. Dock  110  may be molded in any shape capable of receiving attachment component  125 . Attachment component  125  may couple to dock  110  by plugging into an electrical outlet on dock  110 , snapping into place, etc. According to the present invention, dock  110  may also communicatively couple with attachment component  125  via a wireless connection (e.g., attachment component  125  scanning a barcode on holder  100 ). 
         [0015]    An exemplary holder  100  may contain controllers  215 ,  220 ,  225  and  230 , each holding a memory device,  216 ,  221 ,  222 , and  231  respectively. A memory device according to the present invention may be, for example, a hard drive, Flash memory, memory card, RFID tag, etc. In one exemplary embodiment according to the present invention, an embedded controller may contain a non-volatile memory (EEPROM). It may be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may comprise a plurality of memories within or without controllers as part of holder  100 . 
         [0016]    According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, dock  110  may contain controller  215  comprising memory device  216 . Wearable component  105  may also contain controller  220  comprising memory device  221 . The quantity and dimension of embedded controllers/memories within either wearable component  105  or dock  110  may be, for example, limited only by the physical dimensions of holder  100 . In an exemplary embodiment according to the present invention, memory of holder  100  may be sewn into wearable component  105 . Memory of dock  110  may communicate with the memory of wearable component  105 . 
         [0017]    Controllers  220  and  215  may be capable of interacting (i.e. providing for data exchange between their respective memories), despite their location on holder  100 . For example, controller  220  may be embedded within a section of the fabric of wearable component  105 , while controller  215  may be located in dock  110 . The interaction between memory devices  216  and  221  may be through wired, wireless, etc., coupling between controllers  215  and  220 . According to the present invention, any number of controllers may be electrically or wirelessly coupled, so long as such coupling does not unduly encumber the user. 
         [0018]    Since the present invention may apply to any number of wearable component styles, there may exist controller configurations which may not permit electrical coupling between all the embedded controllers in the holder  100 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , controller  215  and controller  230  may be located in such a way that electrical coupling between memory device  231  and  216  may encumber the user. According to  FIG. 2 , controller  230  may be in a distal portion of a strap of a strap-style wearable component. According to the present invention, distally located controller  230  may still communicate with controller  215  in dock  110 . However, the memory devices  216  and  231  may interact via other device interaction methods known to those skilled in the art (e.g., Bluetooth, RFID). Thus, distal controllers (i.e.  230 ) may wirelessly communicate with memory devices  216 ,  221 , and  222  which may be located elsewhere on holder  100 . In this way, users have access to all memories regardless of the location of the controllers and physical configuration of wearable component  105  and dock  110 . 
         [0019]    In another embodiment according to the present invention, the memory within holder  100  may be configured based on the type of connection between attachment component  125  of mobile computer  150  and dock  110 . In an exemplary embodiment according to the present invention, the dock may be configured to determine which memory device to use depending on the type of coupling at dock  110 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , attachment component  125  may be received at any combination of receiver portions (e.g., receiver portions  115 ,  205  and/or  210 ). For instance, dock  110  may limit mobile computer  150  access to memory device  216  when the mobile computer  150  is coupled to receiver portion  205 . Alternatively, dock  110  may limit mobile computer  150  access to memory device  221  when the mobile computer  150  is coupled to receiver portion  210 . In this way, a particular memory device in holder  100  may be selected based on the type of coupling that exists between component  125  and dock  110 . 
         [0020]    Interaction between memory devices may be monitored and configured when holder  100  is detached from mobile computer  150 . In this embodiment of the present invention, the user may select which memory device is to be used, for example, via a selection toggle  235 . Alternatively, holder  100  may receive commands from remote applications (i.e. server instructions via 802.11 networks, signals from another mobile, wearable system  180 , etc.). The memory devices  216 ,  221 ,  222 , and  231  may also automatically recognize which memories to make active depending on prior user settings, algorithms, commands, etc. In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the mobile computer  150  may control the selection of and interaction between memory devices  216 ,  221 ,  222  and  231 . 
         [0021]    An exemplary mobile computer  150  according to  FIG. 3  comprises a housing  120  molded to contain components such as memory, processors, communication arrangements, etc. A user may operate the components within housing  120  via a data-input arrangement  130 . An exemplary implementation  130  according to the present invention may be an application-programming interface allowing an application program writer to write code that will access the memory. According to the present invention, an exemplary data-input arrangement  130  allows for system  180  operation using very few keys and smaller displays, as much of the setup and functionality will be automatic. In this way, users may operate system  180  by merely coupling mobile computer  150  and holder  100 , and avoid having the user navigate and enter data with a smaller number of device inputs. The present invention may also include numerous other embodiments of housings and data-input arrangements for use on mobile computers known to those skilled in the art. 
         [0022]    Attachment component  125  may be molded in any shape capable of reception within dock  110 . The attachment component  125  may be disposed in any location on mobile computer  150  which provides for coupling with dock  110 . In an exemplary embodiment of mobile computer  150 , attachment component  125  includes a connection array  135  to be received within receiver portion  205  and/or receiver portion  210 . Once attachment component  125  is received in dock  110 , system  180  is physically coupled and permits communication between mobile computer  150  and holder  100 . 
         [0023]    An exemplary connection array  135  may be an electrical jack capable of plugging into a receiver portion  205  or  210 . According to this embodiment of the present invention, connection array  135  creates an electrical coupling between mobile computer  150  and holder  100 . In this way, attachment component  125  enables a physical coupling of system  180  and provides communication (i.e. via electrical signals) between mobile computer  150  and holder  100 . 
         [0024]    In yet another embodiment, the connection array  135  may be a bar code scanned by dock  110 . According to this embodiment, mobile computer  150  may initiate wireless communications with holder  100  after the bar code is scanned and verified. In this way, attachment component  125  provides physical coupling for system  180 , but mobile computer  150  and holder  100  may communicate wirelessly. 
         [0025]      FIG. 4  shows an exemplary embodiment of a mechanical arrangement of the attachment component  125  with holder  100 . In this embodiment, attachment component  125  may comprise several receiving surfaces  126 ,  127 , and  128 . Dock  110  may be formed to complement receiving surfaces  126 ,  127 , and  128 . In one embodiment, surfaces  126 ,  127 , and  128  may create a friction fit between dock  110  and attachment component  125 . In yet another embodiment, the surfaces  126 ,  127 , and  128  may magnetically attach to the inner surface of dock  110 . In an alternate embodiment, surface  127  may be received in a recess of dock  110 . Those skilled in the art may understand that numerous mechanical arrangements may be achieved between attachment component  125  and holder  100  where contact with a surface of the attachment component  125  occurs. 
         [0026]    In an exemplary mechanical arrangement, dock  110  allows electrical connectivity, wireless communication, etc., between mobile computer  150  and holder  100 . According to this embodiment of the present invention, user activity taking place at the data-input arrangement  130  or toggle  235  may operate any component of system  180 . In one embodiment, a user can access components of holder  100  (i.e. memory, controllers, power, etc.) via data-input arrangement  130 . Thus, devices and device capabilities belonging exclusively to mobile computer  150  or holder  100  become accessible to both devices when system  180  is in a coupled state. 
         [0027]    In its coupled state, system  180  may be able to perform operations that neither mobile computer  150  nor holder  100  could do individually. For example, access to an 802.11 wireless network may require an 802.11 capable device found only within mobile computer  150 . Further, access to the network may require a wireless network key which may be stored in holder  100 . According to the present invention, mobile computer  150  may gain access to a network (i.e. restricted/confidential areas) using the holder  100  as a key. 
         [0028]    In another embodiment, data-input arrangement  130  may act as an RFID interrogator when system  180  is in its coupled state. Using holder  100  as an RFID tag, data-input arrangement  130  may gain access to another RFID interrogator by allowing holder  100  to be scanned. Alternatively, data-input arrangement  130  may gain access to otherwise restricted areas after scanning holder  100 . 
         [0029]    System  180  may possess a functionality (i.e., a scanning system for users who scan products, a database search system for customers who seek sale items, etc.). This functionality may include a range of operations capable of being performed based on the type of user of the system. In one exemplary embodiment, functionality may be based on memory of either one or both of mobile computer  150  and holder  100 . Information to establish functionality may be stored in memory and implemented seamlessly when system  180  is in its coupled state. In an alternate embodiment, functionality of the user may be stored over a network and only the user ID may be stored in the holder 
         [0030]    In one exemplary embodiment, the functionality of system  180  may be based on a memory within holder  100 . According to this embodiment, any mobile computer  150  may couple to holder  100  and achieve the same system  180  functionality, regardless of the previous mobile computer&#39;s use. Thus, a user may wear the same holder  100  and use multiple mobile computers  150  at their convenience to perform the same job task. According to the present invention, the user will experience nominal down time when replacing mobile computers  150  due to a discharged, non-replaceable battery, discharged rechargeable battery, or damaged hardware, for a mobile computer  150  with different hardware (e.g., LASER scanner, RFID reader, various WAN radios, LAN, different user inputs and displays.) 
         [0031]    According to an embodiment of the present invention, system  180  in its coupled state may automatically initiate applications specific to the user. Most important concept Automatic applications may include set-up of custom user-interfaces, user-authentication, network connections, etc. Custom user-interfaces may include display screen lighting schemes, scanning configurations, e-mail, account information, etc. In an exemplary system  180 , when mobile computer  150  of a stock person is snapped into their holder  100 , a product stocking application will automatically start. In another exemplary embodiment, mobile computer  150  of a customer will initiate a price check application when snapped into the customer&#39;s holder  100 . In a further exemplary embodiment, a supervisor application will stat when mobile computer  150  is snapped into a supervisor&#39;s holder  100 . Those skilled in the art may recognize the present invention contemplates numerous applications which may automatically start upon system  180  achieving a coupled state. 
         [0032]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate exemplary embodiments of a mobile computer  150  and holder  100  in diagram form.  FIG. 5A  illustrates holder  100  in block diagram form.  FIG. 5B  illustrates mobile computer  150 . In accordance with the present invention,  FIG. 5B  may illustrate any type of mobile computer  150  compatible with holder  100 . 
         [0033]    Holder  100  may comprise a memory device  501 , a power source  502 , a processor  513 , and a communication arrangement  504 . According to the present invention, power source  502  may be a battery. An exemplary power source  502  may be inexpensive, disposable batteries that can be disposed of with an inexpensive holder. In another embodiment of the present invention, power source  502  may be a smart battery (e.g. a battery with memory). According to this embodiment, smart battery memory comprises only battery-related data, but smart battery memory may still be accessed by memory device  501  in accordance with the present invention. 
         [0034]    Mobile computer  150  may comprise a memory  511 , a power source  512 , a processor  513  and a communication arrangement  514 . Memory  511  may comprise, for example, one or more databases (or other data storage mechanisms) for storing user configuration settings (i.e., identification information, custom user-settings, wireless protocols, etc.). According to the present invention, mobile computer  150  may rely on power from an internal battery, external power, etc. Communication arrangement  514  may include wireless and wired communications arrangements known by those skilled in the art. 
         [0035]    An exemplary communication arrangement  504  may provide coupling with mobile computer communication arrangement  514  via electrical, wireless, etc., connection. Additionally, communication arrangement  504  may also provide similar coupling with memory of holder  100 . Communication arrangement  504  may comprise an electrical coupling between memory  501  and dock  110 . In another exemplary embodiment, communication arrangement  504  may comprise wireless communications such as 802.11 protocol, Bluetooth, RFID etc., to couple holder  100  to a network or another system  180 . In this way, holder  100  may provide functionality data from remote locations other than memory  501 . 
         [0036]    In a coupled state, system  180  may provide for the transmission of data to and from mobile computer  150  and holder  100  via communication arrangements  504  and  514 . System  180  may instruct mobile computer  150  to read/write information to memory  501 . Alternatively, system  180  may provide for holder  100  to read/write information to memory  511 . 
         [0037]    In one exemplary embodiment, memory  501  and power  502  may be electrically coupled to the memory  511  and power  512  such that only two (2) electrical connections exist between the components. According to this embodiment, one electrical coupling may be between power sources  502  and  512  and a General Purpose Input/Output (“GPIO”) bidirectional communication between memories  501  and  511 . In yet a further embodiment, memory  501  may electrically couple to a plurality of memories  511  that may be both electrically coupled to holder memories or communicatively coupled via communication arrangement  514 . 
         [0038]    According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, system  180  may choose which components of mobile computer  150  and holder  100  to initialize and/or operate. For example, system  180  may utilize processor  503  and  513  but may limit which memory to process data from (i.e. read/write only from holder memory  501 ). 
         [0039]    An operation mode for system  180  comprises all data/information which derives from user interaction with the functions of system  180  (i.e. user commands, scanning routines, etc.). The operation mode may relate to the functionality of system  180  or be selected by the user. Each operation mode may be stored on memory  501  or other storage locations via communication arrangement  504 . 
         [0040]    In an exemplary embodiment according to the present invention, a first mobile computer  150  may be set to the exact operation mode of a previous mobile computer  150  when coupled to memory  501 . System  180  may seamlessly achieve this previous operation mode stored on memory  501  when in the coupled state. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a first mobile computer  150  may read operation mode data (e.g., captured bar code or RFID data) on memory  501  and automatically communicate applications associated with that mode to memory  511 . In this way, system  180  may be brought to the same point in the application reached by a prior mobile computer  150 . 
         [0041]    In another exemplary embodiment, user settings that were saved within holder  100  may be reinitiated even if the current functionality of mobile computer  150  differs from that of a previous mobile computer. According to this exemplary embodiment, holder  100  can communicate user settings regardless of a prior mobile computer  150  use. For example, a first mobile computer  150  may have been attached to holder  100  and used as a price checking device by a customer. When the customer switches from the first mobile computer  150  to a second mobile computer  150 , price check settings, items on sale, purchases, etc., would be rendered on the second mobile computer  150 . The second mobile computer  150  would render the settings of the first mobile computer  150  regardless of whether the second mobile computer  150  had been used for price checking. Holder  100  data such as scan times, back light defaults, data capture modes, trigger and button preferences, etc., may be rendered on data input arrangement  130  without any reduction in user-service. Thus, the present invention reduces the time, battery, and convenience costs associated with redefining subsequent mobile computers  150 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 6  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a method  600  of communication between mobile computer  150  and holder  100  when system  180  is in a coupled state. In one embodiment, mobile computer  150  and holder  100  may be in use for the first time, and therefore, system  180  runs an authentication step  610 . In one exemplary embodiment of an authentication step according to the present invention, mobile computer  150  may seek out identity information from memory  501  (e.g., user identity in the form of screen names, photo identification, voice recognition, etc.). For example, mobile computer  150  confirms a match between an access code on mobile computer  150  and in memory  501 . In another exemplary authentication step  610 , holder  100  may be authenticated remotely (i.e., over an 802.11 network, by another system  180 , etc.). According to this embodiment, system  180  authentication may occur by authenticating IP addresses, WEP keys, MAC address, etc. Alternatively, the authentication step may occur automatically/seamlessly upon system  180  entering a coupled state. In an embodiment of the present invention, employees wearing their systems  180  on duty can be identified to other mobile computers  150  as being available to help customers, clean up a spill, etc. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, employees wearing their systems  180  can be identified in a phone directory as being “on line” over a Voice over IP system (“VoIP”). 
         [0043]    Following authentication step  610 , an initialization step  620  may involve initializing either mobile computer  150 , holder  100 , or system  180 . According to the present invention, the initialization step may occur automatically and/or seamlessly. In an exemplary initialization step  620 , mobile computer  150  and/or holder  100  may run a diagnostic test for network access, software updates, power supply checks, etc. In another exemplary initialization step  620 , mobile computer  150  couples to holder memory  501  to begin storing and receiving data/information therefrom. According to this embodiment of the present invention, mobile computer  150  may seek out application data from holder memory  501 , process application data via processor  513 , and initialize the applications for system  180 . System  180  may require initialization  620  only when it achieves a coupled state for the first time. 
         [0044]    According to one exemplary embodiment, system  180 , upon re-entering a coupled state, may bypass authentication step  610  and perform initialization step  620 . For example, a user may have already authenticated holder  100  and need not repeat authentication step  610  for further mobile computers  150 . Alternatively, a user may have authenticated mobile computer  150 , and by doing so, provide authentication for subsequent holders  100  coupled thereto. In this way, authentication of a single holder  100  or mobile computer  150  may be transferred to either one when system  180  achieves a coupled state. 
         [0045]    In an exemplary read/write step  630 , the mobile computer memory  511  reads data and information stored on holder memory  501 . Alternatively, mobile computer  150  may write data and information onto memory  501  to be accessed later during system  180  operation. Mobile computer  150  may perform the read/write step  630  on any one of a plurality of holder memory devices or similar storage devices coupled thereto. In an exemplary embodiment according to the present invention, mobile computer  150  may read the product information stored on holder  100 , store the product information within memory  511  and store the product information in an online database on a network. Mobile computer  150  may also write functionality and operation mode data to memory  501  for subsequent holder  100  use. 
         [0046]    In an exemplary execution step  640  according to the present invention, mobile computer  150  may respond to the processing of information and data stored on memory  501 . Processor  513  may convert files stored on memory  501  into a compatible format, interpret bar code entries or other source data, print charts derived from an algorithm, etc. According to the present invention, system  180  may accomplish execution step  640  via mobile computer  150 , holder  100 , or a network device. Following step  640 , system  180 , in a coupled state, may choose to read/write additional data and/or authenticate via steps  630  and  620  respectively. 
         [0047]      FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a network  700  wherein a user may communicate with other devices which are communicatively coupled to an access point (AP)  710 . The AP  710  may provide communicative coupling between a plurality of systems according to the present invention (i.e. systems  180 ,  181 ,  182  and  183 ). AP  710  may also communicate with server  725  and database  730  over a communications network  720 . An exemplary network  700  may also include another communicatively coupled device  190  (e.g., laser based scanners, image based scanners, RFID devices, PDAs, mobile phones, portable game consoles, laptops, etc.). 
         [0048]    In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, system  180  communicates wirelessly with system  181  and device  190 . The user of system  180  may be notified (i.e. via VoIP system, e-mail, audible signal, etc.) once system  181  begins operating. Alternatively, device  190  may communicate the existence of systems  180  and  181  as being “online.” According to this embodiment, users of different systems may track, locate, and identify new systems communicating on the network, communicate with those systems, view system information, etc. 
         [0049]    In yet another exemplary embodiment of network  700 , certain systems may permit being grouped together based on their mobile computer  150  and/or holder  100 . For example, holder  100  of system  180  may contain identification information which conveys system  180  operation mode, user tasks, functionality, user identity, etc. AP  715  may communicate this information to server  725  which initiates a search in database  730  (i.e. a system task database, system function group database, etc.). Subsequent communications with server  725  may instruct AP  715  to group system  180  with system  181 . Alternatively, AP  715  may be preprogrammed to group system  180 . According to the present invention, device  190  may also be grouped with systems  180  and  181  based on the information stored therein. 
         [0050]    Once a group of systems exists, the functionalities, operation modes, access grants, tasks, etc., specific to any one system/device in the group may be established for each system/device in the group. Additionally, communications between systems/devices in a group may be exclusive for that group as opposed to other groups on network  700 . In one embodiment, a group comprised of systems  180 ,  181 , and  182 , may have a system  180  authorized to access a restricted area. According to the present invention, the access granted to system  180  may be established for systems  181  and  182 . 
         [0051]    According to the present invention, groups of systems may all be capable of receiving the same communication from sources on network  700  (i.e. a central server, managing computer, etc.). In an exemplary embodiment according to the present invention, pages may be broadcast over VoIP systems from a supervisory computer (i.e. a server  725 ) to a group comprised of systems worn by “Outside Garden Department” employees. The broadcast to this group to help a customer in “isle 5” would be received by only that group and would not appear on other systems/devices outside of the group. In a further exemplary embodiment according to the present invention, a group comprised of customer systems may receive broadcast pages containing price updates for products from the store computer, but the same communication would not be communicated to employee systems/devices. 
         [0052]    It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made in the present invention, without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Technology Category: g