WO2010102781A1

WO2010102781A1 - Mobile computer system

Info

Publication number: WO2010102781A1
Application number: PCT/EP2010/001452
Authority: WO
Inventors: Holger Noffz
Original assignee: Holger Noffz
Priority date: 2009-03-10
Filing date: 2010-03-09
Publication date: 2010-09-16
Also published as: DE102009011911A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a mobile computer system, comprising at least one separate mobile computer unit A and at least one separate mobile display unit B, which are to be interconnected by way of a cable and/or wireless connection, and which exchange data and/or energy. The display unit A is formed by an imaging module and at least one non-volatile mass storage. The computer unit B is formed by a mobile computer (preferably without a display unit) which is provided with RAM storage, an optional network card, and a power supply (a rechargeable battery, for example). The display unit A and the computer unit (component B) are interconnected such that upon disconnecting the connection between the display unit A and the computer unit B, a part of, or all of, the storage content of the computer in the computer unit B is copied to the storage of the display unit A either automatically or upon a user's command.

Description

Mobile computer system

The invention relates to a mobile computer system in which under mobile means the possibility of convenient entrainment of the devices by the user and the use under different conditions and at several locations or the simple integration into other, mostly portable or distributed positioned devices without further aids and is understood in which the connection of additional peripheral devices and / or networks in all variants both wired (eg via USB / RJ-45 / fiber optic cable) or wireless (eg Bluetooth / W LAN / Wi Fi) is possible. The power supply of these devices is designed so that it is possible to work with these devices at least temporarily without connection to a stationary power grid.

Currently, various technical solutions for the conceptual design of computer systems are known. These are for example:

a) conventional stationary PC consisting of computer unit in different housing designs with remote display unit

(not mobile). b) Panel PC (as a space-saving variant of a) consisting of computer and display unit in a housing with outwardly directed display unit (not mobile) c) notebook PC consisting of computer unit with integrated accumulator and keyboard and attached foldable display with accumulator

(mobile) d) tablet PC consisting of a unit for accumulator, computer with integrated, outward-looking display, usually with touch-sensitive display unit, such. Equipped touch screen

(mobile) e) Mixed forms between notebook and tablet PC, in which the display can be rotated with multiple degrees of freedom and thus can be placed on the computer unit with an outward-facing display.

Since the solutions according to a) and b) are not mobile, they have not been included in the following consideration.

The transmission of the data to be displayed between computer and display unit takes place in all variants according to the prior art wired. Usually, a separation of this compound in mobile systems according to the prior art is usually not provided. The parts are thus an inseparable unit for the user, which translates into (inflexibility, high weight and high initial costs.

Different devices are, however, also different well suited for different mobile applications, which forces the user already at the purchase to a decision between several alternatives. The often desired flexible use of a device for different applications and / or under different conditions of use is therefore possible only with compromise.

All state-of-the-art solutions are associated with a number of limitations in mobile use that describe the issues to be addressed below.

A disadvantage of the existing mobile variants is the relatively high weight, which complicates the entrainment and prolonged work without a solid base with these solutions. Even tablet PCs that are designed for continuous wear by the user load with weights between 1 and 2 kg. The construction of the equipment as an inseparable unit makes a longer hands-free work cumbersome, the handling is limited. In addition, in order to save weight, the display units are often designed to be relatively small (usually with a diagonal of 1CT-13 "), with significant compromises in image size and quality Connection of a second display device (directly or via port replicators) is possible These display units are designed for conventional tabletop computers (= not mobile computers) and therefore usually work only with mains voltage, so a large-area display is only available in non-mobile Operation available Devices that are naturally equipped with a larger display unit (laptops with 17 "display and larger) are not well suited for a predominantly mobile operation due to their high weight and the low off-line runtime.

They are therefore positioned on the market rather as a substitute for stationary computers, in which an acceptable transport of the device from one place to another place in the foreground, less an operation on the move in really mobile situations.

For presentations, it is often desirable to connect two or more display units to a mobile device, e.g. to display information to a larger group of people.

This is not possible with the technology of the current state without external power supply, as connected additional screens are not supplied with power by the mobile unit according to the current state of technology. For mobile systems, additional display units with (at least in part) off-grid power supply are optional

Extension currently not offered. As a rule, only a maximum of a second screen can be connected.

Mobile devices that are optimized for a long network-independent runtime usually have only low computing power. A number of compute-intensive applications can therefore not be used or only with great compromises to the processing speed. A typical example of this are the modern netbooks, mostly based on particularly power-saving (but also less powerful) Intel® Atom ™ processors. In many cases, a longer runtime or a lower weight would be desirable for mobile operation, even if that would be associated with a significantly lower computing power. The current mobile computer systems are not modular. Thus, the known solutions are either fast, which brings a short term or slow, which allows a longer duration. An exchange of the computer unit depending on the need for different mobile applications is currently not possible.

A similar decision is also to be made when choosing the display unit when buying, either a small lightweight mobile device with a small display with poorer display quality and long term or a large heavy device with larger and better readable display with relatively low mobility and running time , So the user has to choose between alternatives when buying, but depending on the situation, his choice would be different for different applications. Examples of alternatives to be chosen at the time of purchase are e.g. Long battery life or high computing power, light weight and high mobility or large display unit or high computing / graphics performance.

In all mobile devices of the state of the art, the development of devices with high resistance to mechanical and / or environmental influences, which are, for example, shock-resistant, water and / or dustproof, extremely difficult, since the devices in the technical usually equipped with rotating fans and vents. For a higher resistance to environmental influences, however, a closed construction would have to be used with the use of free convection on the outer surfaces for cooling the system.

However, in the case of devices of the current state of the art, the power loss of the computer and display unit must be transported away from a single housing.

For this reason, currently hardly any completely enclosed devices are available which dissipate the resulting heat exclusively via convection cooling on the outer surfaces. Previously realized models are through the low available cooling surface of the housing equipped only with lower computing power. Otherwise, ventilation openings are mandatory.

This is e.g. The use of mobile technology in all conditions difficult to implement, where the devices are exposed to moisture, dust and other harmful environmental influences. For example, therefore, even the use in the medical field is problematic, where a cleaning by wet wiping with disinfectants is required because moisture can penetrate through the vents of conventional devices and damage the internal electronics. By inventively provided separation of display and processing unit can be dispensed with a corresponding distributed arrangement even with a part to a resistant to environmental influences design, if they can be positioned accordingly. For example, a computing unit may be protected with vents (e.g., in a vehicle, under clothing, or other equipment), exposing only the display unit to weathering in the field, and therefore requiring security. The risk of theft is relatively large in mobile devices, since they are very expensive, often carried in different places and can be easily stolen and transported. In addition to the material value, in the business sector the greater risk often results in the loss of sensitive or highly recoverable data. The unauthorized use of mobile devices and / or the data located thereon by unauthorized third parties is difficult to prevent in the previous solutions.

In many industries, systems are e.g. used for automated data acquisition and monitoring and control functions. For this purpose, more and more computers are being used in a wide variety of products,

Machines and devices integrated. These solutions can be used stationary, mobile and over long distances. A permanent display is often not required or not desired, but this is required only under certain circumstances (eg for occasional checks, such as during service or maintenance operations). Often there is no permanent network connection available, so that the accumulated data can initially only be stored locally. Therefore, a solution is needed to collect collected and initially only locally cached data conveniently from multiple distributed units via a mobile device carried along, for later archiving, evaluate or further processing. For this, the current mobile systems are usually too expensive and

(due to the permanently integrated display) too big, too inflexible and not very robust. Therefore, they can only be integrated with compromises into such systems or used for distributed data acquisition.

Modern mobile devices have a variety of inputs and outputs

Output devices such as WLAN, GPRS / UMTS, GPS, video camera, digital camera, fingerprint sensor, scanner, etc. Often only individual devices are used at all and the rapid technical development leads to different rapid moral and technical wear of the individual assemblies. In addition, there are many devices in different performance and price groups, which increases the number of possible combinations (= number of different model variants) exponentially. For example, this also applies to the mobile power supply, which according to the current state of technology is usually not scalable. At best, on some models, a second accumulator can be connected to the

Runtime to double, but extensions beyond that are not yet possible.

The object of the invention is to provide a mobile system which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art and thus an inexpensive modular computer system with convenient replacement of the

Offers components with great scalability and at the same time good handling. This object is achieved in that the known components such as display and computer unit of computers are executed modular and optional according to the current purpose in different combinations together to form a functional unit and if necessary further modules as extensions additionally connect or individual modules of the Exchange system against other variants of the same module group.

For this purpose, special versions of the housing of the display and computer unit with standardized mounting interfaces (optionally with integrated data interface) for the quick and convenient change of peripheral devices are a solution basis.

The solution of the invention describes a novel mobile computer system, which is characterized in that it is modular, with the various mobile computer and display units and peripherals of the system can be combined with each other and can be supplemented by other parts of standardized assembly and data interfaces.

The system according to the invention consists of at least two separate components, display unit A and computer unit B, which can exchange data and / or energy with one another via cable and / or wireless connection and can optionally be connected to one another and / or with additional expansion units via standardized mounting interfaces. Thus, a convenient exchange of display or computer unit and accessories is possible, which can be formed according to the particular application, the optimal configuration. Another advantage results from the fact that only the currently required parts must be carried in each system.

The display unit A consists of an image indicating module (eg LCD display, TFT, OLED). Furthermore, a non-volatile mass storage, for example, one or more hard drives, flash memory or SolidStateDisk included, which can also be executed changeable. Optionally, the use of at least one network-independent mobile power supply (eg small support accumulator) and / or a particularly power-saving (and therefore rather underachieving) computer is possible. The power supply and data transmission between computer and display unit takes place via a separable wired connection and / or wireless.

Optionally, additional wireless network interfaces (WLAN / Wifϊ) and connections for data transmission with external devices (for example USB, Firewire, Bluetooth) can be arranged in the computing and / or display unit. The structural design of display unit A of the system according to the invention thus makes it possible to exchange data and / or energy with different computer systems via a uniform interface, optionally store the current system state in an internal memory system when disconnecting, optionally also display and manage several system states of different computers to be able to, as well as

Connect to a new computer system selectively display one of the stored system states or the currently connected computer.

Computing unit B according to the invention consists of a mobile computer (usually without permanently connected display unit), which is provided with RAM, optionally network card and / or mobile power supply (for example accumulator,

Fuel cell or similar) is equipped.

The connection to display unit A via a uniform running separable connection or wirelessly. If required, the power supply for the display unit and optionally the data to be displayed and the data to be stored are transmitted via these. Thus, any display units A and computer units B of this module system (in different sizes and performance classes) can be combined with each other. When the connection between display unit A and computer unit B is disconnected, a part or the complete memory contents of computer unit B can be copied to the memory in display unit A, automatically or on user command. Optionally, it can be ensured by mechanical, electrical and / or software-based coding that only certain display units and computer units can be interconnected and exchange data. The data itself can optionally be stored encrypted in the memory of the display unit for protection against unauthorized access.

When establishing the connection to another computer part B this dump is again copied automatically or user command in the main memory of the new computer part, so that the work can be resumed at a later date or at a different location at the same program location. By using the same or similar chipsets in the various computer parts (maintaining driver compatibility) of the computer units B, the smooth operation is guaranteed even after replacement of a component. Non-driver-compatible systems can also be used with appropriate operating systems if drivers required for controlling the deviating hardware (possibly also automatically) can be subsequently installed. In this case, either the program running on any computer unit B or one of the program states stored in the display unit A can be executed. Alternatively, the restriction to the adoption of user and application data is possible, which are then processed on separate installations of the same program or in other programs.

Alternatively, the memory of the display unit can be used as a remote main memory of the computer part.

In a particular embodiment of the solution according to the invention, a recognition can be made via sensors when display unit A and computer unit B exceed or fall short of a definable distance from one another or assume a specific position in space relative to one another. This enables position and proximity location for distributed components. The solution according to the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments.

Such an embodiment consists of a display unit with integrated operator (e.g., touch screen) and memory module (e.g., hard disk or SSD). The computer module without integrated unit for displaying the graphics and character output is connected via a special separable Kabelverbiπdung, which simultaneously realizes the transmission of the display data and the power supply of the display.

Optionally, the data for external interfaces (e.g., USB) may also be transmitted over this cable connection, allowing the connection of additional peripherals to the display unit. When connecting display unit A and computer unit B, the current image output of the active computer unit is displayed.

Here, the computer unit runs independently of the display module and a display is only occasionally e.g. required for monitoring and control purposes. The display unit can be connected in succession to different computer modules. Optionally, a portion of the data or the complete status of the currently connected computing unit may be stored in the memory of the display unit (e.g., for documentation or testing purposes). Thus, the complete reproduction of this state on another computer module (preferably of the same type) is possible. When connecting a display module with stored system states to a new one

Computer module, the user can optionally select whether the state of the newly connected computer module or one of the stored states should be processed.

In a particular embodiment of this solution according to the invention, instead of or in addition to the internal touchscreen, a keyboard integrated in the display unit (eg foldable or slidable) can be used for inputs. In a further embodiment, the computer unit and the display unit each have a mutual positive connection point, which allows easy connection of the two parts with little effort. Optimally, in addition to the mechanical and the electrical connection is made, including for a data transmission.

It is also possible for the display unit to have a (usually small) network-independent power supply (for example accumulator, battery or fuel cell) in order to be able to maintain the display at least temporarily even without a connected computer module.

Optionally, image data and / or data of optional interfaces can also be transmitted by wireless technologies. In a particularly power-saving design, the transmission of the energy required to operate the display unit can be done by wireless technologies.

Optionally can be informed about a proximity and / or position sensor when display and computer modules are located inside or outside a previously defined distance or a defined position in space Also possible is the equipment of the system described above with its own (preferably especially power-saving) computer module. Thus, mobile work without connected computer module is at least possible, albeit limited by the lower speed. When connected to a computer module, the system state of the computer module contained in the display module is transferred to the more powerful computer module and executed there, with the appropriate technical equipment, faster.

In a further variant, the computer unit is preferably designed so that it can be integrated in a convenient manner in the clothing or attached to this, for example as a belt carrying bag. The display unit, which is to be held in the hand, is thus much easier and easier to handle. The heavy parts of the system carry less weight directly on the body than when held permanently in the hand Need to become. An optional possible separation between individual modules of the computer unit (computer and power supply) can further optimize the weight distribution and manageability. The possibly necessary cable routing for power supply / data transfer can optionally be integrated into the (professional) clothing.

The computing and / or display unit can be designed to improve the ergonomics so that recesses and / or elevations are introduced in the housing to adapt to the geometry of parts of the human body. Examples include a recess in the form of a human hand for improved handling or depressions for better support on the arm or leg.

Due to the small footprint, the display unit can also be easily integrated into everyday objects of everyday use, for example in medical devices or even in a tray on a hospital ward. This multifunctional work equipment can be realized, in which conventional devices such as a tablet are extended by functions for displaying digital data, without the original function z. would be lost by a significant weight gain.

The display unit may also optionally be designed specifically for the display of 3D images and / or with integrated mechanisms for position detection (e.g., location of the user's eye position or markers via video capture and evaluation).

The connection between the computer and display units, the peripheral devices or a power supply can be done in addition to the known standardized data interfaces (such as USB, LVDS, Firewire) via a standardized mounting interface on the display or computer module. This is optimally easy to connect, can be secured against incorrect installation and against unintentional release and is easy to solve by the user. Optionally, the connection can also be created or separated programmatically. The data and mounting interface can form a unit, ie the mechanical connection of the modules Together, the electrical and (if necessary) the data connection between the modules. A transport can be significantly facilitated and the number of cables is minimized.

For special applications, it is also possible to execute the computer unit B with the aforementioned equipment variants, but to carry out the display unit A in a simplified configuration without integrated memory. Thus, selbige is even easier and allows easy replacement of various display units A with different equipment on a computer module.

With the invention described above, particularly light and space-saving designs of the display part are possible. This ensures that the display part - mobile usable and extremely light

- enables large-screen and high-resolution screen displays even in mobile operation

- realizes a comfortable ergonomic weight distribution and application for the user - scalable computing power and several interchangeable

Display units and peripherals offers

- suitable for use in difficult environmental conditions.

Claims

claims:

Claim 1:

Mobile computer system, characterized in that it consists of at least one separate mobile display unit as a graphics and / or character output (Part A) and at least one separate mobile computer unit (Part B), which are to be connected by cable and / or wireless connection with each other and which data and / or energy exchange, wherein the display unit (A) is formed from an image displaying module and at least one (preferably non-volatile) mass storage and the computer unit (B) is formed from a mobile computer, which with RAM memory, optional network card and mobile power supply (such as battery, accumulator or fuel cell) is equipped, wherein the display unit (A) and the computer unit (Part B) are connected to each other so that when disconnecting the connection between the display unit (A) and computer unit (B) automatically or on User command a part or the entire memory contents of the computer in the computer unit t (B) can be copied to the memory in the display unit (A).

Claim 2:

System according to claim 1, characterized in that peripherals or expansion devices are to be combined with the system of choice and supplemented by further parts via standardized assembly and data interfaces.

Claim 3:

System according to claim 1, characterized in that the mass memory is designed replaceable.

Claim 4:

System according to claim 1, characterized in that sensors are arranged in the components of the system, by means of which an approximation and / or location location is to be carried out when display unit (A) and computer eiπheit (B) exceed or fall short of a definable distance to each other or occupy a certain spatial position to each other or leave.

Claim 5: System according to claim 1, characterized in that in the display unit (A) a system for application or cursor control by the user (eg, touch screen, mouse or movement analysis by video) is integrated.

Claim 6:

System according to claim 1, characterized in that a keyboard is integrated in the display unit (A).

Claim 7: System according to claim 1, characterized in that the display unit (A) and computer unit (B) each have at least one mutually positive connection point, by means of which in addition to the mechanical and optionally the electrical connection and / or the connection for a data transmission is to produce ,

Claim 8:

System according to claim 1, characterized in that in the display unit (A) an at least temporarily mains-independent power supply (eg accumulator, battery, fuel cell) is arranged.

Claim 9:

System according to claim 1, characterized in that the display and / or computer unit (A and / or B) is integrated in a convenient manner in the clothing or to attach to this.

Claim 10:

System according to claim 1, characterized in that the display unit (A) and / or arithmetic unit (B) with depressions and / or elevations in Housing is equipped to adapt to the geometry of parts of the human body.

Claim 11: System according to claim 1, characterized in that the display unit (A) is designed without internal memory and as an exchange unit.

Claim 12:

System according to claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of computer units (B) are connected to a display unit (A).

Claim 13:

System according to claim 1, characterized in that a display unit

(A) is connected to several computer units (B).

Claim 14:

System according to claim 1, characterized in that when mechanical connection of computer unit A with display unit B, the electrical, mechanical and / or data connection between these electrically, magnetically, hydraulically and / or program controlled and / or separated.

Claim 15:

System according to claim 1, characterized in that it is ensured by mechanical, electrical and / or software-based coding that only certain display units and computer units are interconnected and can exchange data, the data itself in the memory of the display unit and / or the computing unit for protection optionally be stored in encrypted form against unauthorized access.

Claim 16:

System according to claim 1, characterized in that only the entrained

Unit (A or B) is designed resistant to environmental influences. Claim 17:

Use of a mobile computer system, consisting of two separate components display unit (A) and computer unit (B), which can exchange data and energy with each other via cable and / or wireless connection and are optionally connected to each other and with additional expansion devices via standardized mounting interfaces, which means convenient replacement of display unit (A) or computer unit (B) and accessories is possible, since only the currently required parts are to be carried, in which when connecting to another computer part (B) a dump again turn on or user command in copies the main memory of the new computer part, whereby the same data is realized, with either running on any computer unit (B) program or one of the display unit (A) stored program states are executed.

Claim 18:

Use of a system according to claim 9, wherein detection is carried out for proximity detection via sensors when display unit (A) and computer unit (B) exceed or fall short of a definable distance from one another or assume a specific position in space.