DE8801332U1 - Carrying case for a data processing system - Google Patents

Description

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DIDAS COMPUTER GmbH ' MUNICH / Germany

CARRYING CASE FOR A *)DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

The innovation concerns a two-part carrying case containing the components of a data processing system, which in a light and compact design includes a microcomputer, a printing device, a data transmission device and a light reading pen, whereby all the components can be connected to one another in a simple manner and are housed in a protected manner in the carrying case.

A fast and secure exchange of information between a non-portable mainframe computer, for example a database or a central computer, and a portable microcomputer is possible via numerous data transmission paths. In order to establish a connection, a data transmission device is required in addition to the portable microcomputer, with which the connection can be established via a telephone line network, a data line network or another line network. In order to print out the information transmitted by the mainframe computer, a printing device must also be available* These individual components can be supplemented by a light reading pen, with which standardized data can be read error-free into the portable microcomputer via suitable evaluation electronics*

All of these components must be connected to one another and to the power supply before data can be transferred. For transport, these connections must be removed and the components placed in a suitable carrying case.

A box or case for a computer is known from the German utility model 85 00 180, which contains the basic elements of a computer system, such as a central unit, floppy disk drive, cassette player and power supply, ready for use. Several holders are formed on a base plate to hold the components. The arrangement in one plane means that the surface area used and thus the entire case is very large. An extension of the case so that a printing device, a data transmission device and a light reading pen with external evaluation electronics can also be accommodated increases this space requirement in the described design of the case, so that safe and sensible handling of the case is no longer possible.

Based on this, the innovation is based on the task of creating a carrying container for this portable data processing system, which, thanks to its light and compact design, ensures safe and problem-free transport of the components and, in addition, ensures improved use of the portable data processing system and the Binse components.

This task is solved by an innovative second carrying container for the components of the data processing system, which has slots for at least

a microcomputer and at least one printing device in each of the two container halves.

Further advantageous embodiments of the two-part carrying container according to the invention emerge from the dependent claims.

The two-part carrying container can have additional receptacles for at least one data transmission unit or additional receptacles for at least one light reading pen in at least one of the two container halves.

Advantageously, the two-part carrying case represents a case consisting of a bottom half and a top half, in which, in another embodiment, the holder for the printing device is arranged in the top half and the holder for the microcomputer is arranged in the bottom half.

Furthermore, the holder for the data transmission device and the holder for the light reading pen can be arranged further in the ceiling.

In a further embodiment of the two-part carrying container according to the invention, the receptacles are designed as molded parts adapted to the outlines of the components and these are inserted into the container halves.

Advantageously, the lid half and the base half of the case are connected to one another via a hinge and, in use, the lid half is essentially perpendicular to the base half. In this position of use, the lid half is held in place by a locking device in a further embodiment.

To make the built-in microcomputer easier to use, the depth of the bottom half decreases starting at the hinge area of the case towards the opposite end, so that the built-in microcomputer is more easily accessible to the user on the side facing the user.

The electrical connection between the inserted or installed components is advantageously established by an inserted or installed connection module, which in a further embodiment is directly adjacent to the microcomputer and can be further adapted to the dimensions of the microcomputer.

In a further embodiment, for the electrical connection of the components with the connection module, ribbon cables are used, which are additionally designed as tabs above the hinge area of the case and which are protected by an elastic band in the hinge area.

Advantageously, the connection module provides the power connection for all components that are installed in the case and also has a switch-on device for the simultaneous supply and commissioning of the components.

In a further embodiment, the connection module contains an evaluation circuit for the light reading pen and an electronic step switch for switching an interface connection of the inserted or installed computer, whereby in a further embodiment the switching state of the electronic step switch is

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display device, which can also be integrated with the control elements of the step switch.

In a further embodiment, the supply of cooling air to the built-in microcomputer is ensured by openings in the connection module on the surface adjacent to the computer and in another surface. The innovation is described below using an embodiment shown in Figs. ⁴ ^. 1 to 4. They show:

Fig. 1 shows a Pechner system according to the innovation.

Fig. 2 shows a computer system according to the innovation with a ready-to-use computer.

Fig* 3a a connection module according to the innovation in schematic representation,

Pig. 3b shows another innovative connection mechanism in a schematic representation, and

Fig. 4 shows the schematic structure of the computer system and the connection modules.

In the following, a carrying container according to the innovation with a built-in connection module is described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2.

The two-part case 1 has a half-base 1a and a bottom 1b, both of which are connected to one another via a hinge 2. The top 1b stands as shown in Fig. 1 and 2, while the use of the

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installed computer systems vertically and is held in this position by two locking devices 3a and 3b.

The depth of the base half 1b decreases starting at the hinge area towards the opposite front end of the base half in the drawing and thus allows easier access to the microcomputer built into the base half. The cover half 2a is adapted to the shape of the base half so that a completely closed carrying container is created in the transport state.

The microcomputer 4 is installed in the bottom half and has a keyboard 4a and a flat screen 4b that are accessible from the outside. Fig. 1 shows the position of use with the flat screen 4b in an upright position and the keyboard 4a accessible, while Fig. 2 shows the transport state of the microcomputer 4. The microcomputer 4 is a known portable microcomputer whose built-in floppy disk drive (not shown) can be used through a lockable access opening that is formed in a suitable place in the bottom half 1b of the two-part case 1. The microcomputer 4 is arranged in the front area of the bottom half 1b and is in direct contact with the connection module 6 provided in the rear area of the bottom half, which is described in more detail below. The light reading pen 7 is connected to the connection module via a cable 7a and a plug 7b. For the light reading pen? and the cable 7a, a receptacle 8 is provided in the cover half la, which provides space for storing the light reading lamp 7 and the cable 7a during transport. During use, an additional

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Exception 9 is provided, into which the reading pen can be inserted, as shown in Fig. I. This ensures that the light reading pen 7 is easily accessible and at the same time safely stored even when the flat screen 4b is in a vertical position.

The pressure device 10 is also arranged in the lid half la and is fastened in an adapted holder. The data transmission device 11 is also located in the lid half la in an appropriately adapted holder. The holders are formed by a molded part 12 adapted to the contours of the components used. This molded part 12 serves to securely fix the installed components in a transportable manner, but the fastening can also be carried out using fastening elements not shown in the figures. The electrical connections between the connection module 6 and the components used in the lid half la run under the molded part 12, with the electrical connection being established via one or more ribbon cables 13. In the area of the hinge 2, the ribbon cable is designed like a tab so that the two halves of the case 1 can move. The tab of the ribbon cable 13 is advantageously designed in such a way that the movement of the two halves of the case relative to one another is not impaired. The ribbon cable can also be protected by a band made of an elastic material or fabric running in the hinge area and arranged between the ribbon cable 13 and the hinge plate of the case lid 1a. The connection to the printing device 10 and the data transmission device 11, both of which are arranged in the lid half 1a, is made via known plugs, so that the connection can be broken.

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is easily possible.

The connection module 6 is directly connected to the microcomputer 4 adjacent to it without an additional ribbon cable being provided. This electrical connection is described below with reference to Fig. 3a and 3b, which shows a connection module 6. The connection between the microcomputer 4 and the connection module is established via connection sockets 61a, 61b, 61c and 61d. For this purpose, the connection sockets 61a, 61b, 61c and 61d are arranged so that they are spatially opposite the computer connections on the back of the microcomputer 4. In addition, a mains connection 61e is provided, which is opposite the cold appliance socket on the back of the computer. Due to the special design of the surface on which the connections 61a to 61e are arranged, a connection between the connection module 6 and the microcomputer 4 is possible if the connection module is arranged immediately adjacent to the computer in the bottom half Ib of the case 1. A shoulder 62 is adapted to the shape of the rear wall of the microcomputer 4 and openings 63 are also provided on the surface of the connection module 6 adjacent to the microcomputer 4, which are arranged in such a way that the supply of cooling air to the microcomputer 4 is ensured via the openings 64 on the top of the connection module.

On the top of the connection module 6 there is also the power switch 65, which switches the mains voltage supplied via the IEC socket 66 on or off. The mains supply can also be provided without the plug/socket pair by feeding the mains cable directly into the connection module. In both cases, a

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Simultaneous switching on and operation of all components connected to the connection module is possible via a switch 65. Furthermore, on the surface of the connection module 6 there is a socket 67 for connecting the light reading device. A socket 68, which is also arranged on the surface of the connection module 6, enables a connection to a computer interface which is accessible via one of the connections 61a to 61d. This interface of the microcomputer can be switched by a button 69, so that either the

Data transmission device 11, the light reading pen 7 is connected to the interface via the socket 67 or another device via the socket 68. The switching state, which is set by the button 69, is displayed by four display elements, here light-emitting diodes 69a.

An interface 61c of the microcomputer 4 can be connected directly to another socket on the surface of the connection module 6, without the electrical signals being influenced by the connection module.

As shown in Fig. 3b, the switching state of the electronic switching device can also be switched using buttons 690, with at least one button being assigned to each switching state. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3b, it is advantageous for the display element 690a to be integrated into the button 690 that triggers the switching state.

Fig. 4 shows a block diagram that illustrates the function of the connection module. It shows the connection module 6 on the one hand and the

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Microcomputer 4, which is connected to the connection module via the connections 61a to 61e. In addition, the printing device 10 and the data transmission device 11 are shown.

The connection module 6 is connected to the mains voltage via the connection points 66 and is switched on via the power switch 65. At the same time, the microcomputer 4 is supplied with mains voltage via the connection 61e. A power supply unit 610 provides the supply voltages required for the printing device 10, the data transmission device 11 and the evaluation electronics 620 for the light reading pen. The supply voltages are fed to the individual components via corresponding lines 611, 612 and 613. A lamp 614 shows that the connection module is switched on.

There is a direct connection from the connection 61a to the printing device 10, so that the microcomputer 4 is directly connected to the printing device 10.

The terminal 61b is connected to a step switch, which can be switched by the button 69 and a suitable control circuit consisting of a counter 691 and a driver component 692. The switching state of the step switch is indicated by the four light-emitting diodes 69a provided, to which the information about the switching state is fed via an evaluation component 693. The step switch connects the terminal 61b either to the output of the waiting circuit 620 for the light reading pen or to the printing device 11 or to the external connection 6tK. The input of the evaluation electronics 620 for the light pen is connected to the socket 67, to which the light pen 7 is connected.

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When closed, the case 1 and the components contained therein are easy to transport. If the case is opened as shown in Fig. 1 and 2, it is possible to operate the computer system, but the top part of the case 1 can not only be placed vertically, but can also be opened so far that it also rests horizontally behind the bottom part. The ribbon cable 13, which electrically connects the two halves of the case, is long enough to ensure that the case 1 can be opened in both positions.

The supply of mains voltage is provided centrally via the connection module 6, with whose switch all components of the computer system are switched on and off. The electrical energy is supplied via a single mains connection 66 in the connection module 6, so that the only necessary mains connection cable can easily be accommodated in a free space next to the computer 4 within the base parts of the case 1 during transport.

Other interfaces of the microcomputer 4 are accessible via the connection module 6 via the sockets 6SIa, so that each interface can also be used when the microcomputer 4 is installed.

Claims (21)

G 88 Ol 332.4 46 855 q/s/je DIDAS COMPUTER GmbH 06 May 1988 Protection claims 1. Two-part carrying container for transporting components of a data processing system with a lid part and a base part and with receptacles for at least one microcomputer in the base part, characterized in that at least one receptacle for a printing device (10) is arranged in the lid half (la). 2. Two-part carrying container according to claim 1, characterized in that it has further receptacles for at least one data transmission device (11) in the base part and/or lid part. 3. Two-part carrying container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it has further receptacles (8, 9) for at least one light reading pen (7) in the base part or lid part. 4. Two-part carrying container according to one of claims or 3, characterized in that the receptacle for the data transmission device (11) is arranged in the cover part (7a). If III« 5. Two-part carrying container according to one of claims or 4, characterized in that the holder for the light reading pen (7) in the cover part (la). 6. Two-part carrying container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receptacles are formed from molded parts (12) adapted to the contours of the components and inserted into the container parts. 7. Two-part carrying container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lid part (1a) and the base part (16) are connected to one another via a hinge (2) and that the lid part (1a) is essentially vertical in the state of use. β. Two-part carrying container according to claim 7, characterized in that at least one locking device (3a, 3b) is provided for securing the lid parts (la) in the position of use. 9. Two-part carrying case according to one of claims to 8, characterized by the fact that the depth of the soil part (Ib) is Hinge area towards opposite end reduced, 10. Two-part carrying container according to one of the preceding claims, - 3 - thereby known leans/ because it has a connecting module (6) which is inserted or installed and which establishes the electrical connection between the insertable or installable components. 11. Two-part carrying case according to claim 10, characterized in that the connecting module (6) is directly adjacent to the insertable or installable microcomputer (4). 12. Two-part carrying case according to claim 10, characterized in that the width and height of the connecting module (6) are equal to the corresponding dimensions of the microcomputer (4). 13. Two-part carrying container according to one of claims to 12, characterized in that the electrical connections of the connection module with the components inserted or built into the container parts are designed as ribbon cables (13). 14. Two-part carrying container according to claim 13, characterized in that the ribbon cables (13) are designed in the form of tabs over the hinge area of the case* 15. Two-part carrying case according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that an elastic band is arranged between the ribbon cable (13) and the edges of the case halves in the hinge area to protect the ribbon cable. 16. Two-part carrying case according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection module (6) has a mains voltage connection (66) and a switch-on device (65) for the simultaneous supply and commissioning of the components. 17. Two-part carrying container according to one of claims 10 to 16, characterized in that the connection module (6) has an evaluation circuit (620) for the light reading pen (7) contains. 18. Two-part carrying container according to one of claims 10 to 17, characterized in that the connection module (6) has an electronic step switch (691, 692) which makes at least one interface connection of the insertable or installable computer switchable so that the interface connection can be connected to any other insertable or installable component. 19. Two-part carrying container according to one of claims 10 to 18, characterized in that the connection module (6) has a display device (69a, 690a) indicating the switching state of the electronic step switch* 20· Two-part carrying container according to one of claims 10 to 19, characterized by the fact that the operating elements (690} of the electronic tftupenschalters Integrated with the display device (690a) of the step switch holder. 21. Two-part carrying container according to one of claims to 20, characterized in that the connection module (6) has openings (63) on its surface facing the microcomputer and adjacent to the microcomputer, which allow a supply of cooling air to the microcomputer (41) via openings (64) on another side of the connection module.