U.S. patent application number 13/963009 was filed with the patent office on 2013-12-05 for mobile computer workstation.
This patent application is currently assigned to InterMetro Industries Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is InterMetro Industries Corporation. Invention is credited to Fouad Geries Abu-Akel, Richard A. Clark, Steven B. Flemig, Michael R. Jacobs, Darin Janoschka, Keith Washington.
Application Number | 20130322002 13/963009 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38312655 |
Filed Date | 2013-12-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130322002 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Clark; Richard A. ; et
al. |
December 5, 2013 |
Mobile Computer Workstation
Abstract
A mobile computer workstation for use with a computer network is
disclosed. The workstation can include a wheeled chassis having a
vertical beam that supports a horizontal work surface. An input
device tray is located at a front side of the work surface and a
bracket located at a rear side of the work surface mounts a display
screen to the workstation above and off the work surface. A power
unit including a battery charger and a battery is mounted to the
chassis and supplies power to the display screen.
Inventors: |
Clark; Richard A.; (Atlanta,
GA) ; Jacobs; Michael R.; (Las Vegas, NV) ;
Flemig; Steven B.; (Woodstock, GA) ; Abu-Akel; Fouad
Geries; (Duluth, GA) ; Janoschka; Darin;
(Roswell, GA) ; Washington; Keith; (Alpharetta,
GA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
InterMetro Industries Corporation |
Wilkes-Barre |
PA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
InterMetro Industries
Corporation
Wilkes-Barre
PA
|
Family ID: |
38312655 |
Appl. No.: |
13/963009 |
Filed: |
August 9, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13190716 |
Jul 26, 2011 |
8526176 |
|
|
13963009 |
|
|
|
|
12852097 |
Aug 6, 2010 |
7990691 |
|
|
13190716 |
|
|
|
|
12415481 |
Mar 31, 2009 |
7791866 |
|
|
12852097 |
|
|
|
|
11358164 |
Feb 21, 2006 |
7612999 |
|
|
12415481 |
|
|
|
|
10783333 |
Feb 20, 2004 |
7009840 |
|
|
11358164 |
|
|
|
|
10171582 |
Jun 13, 2002 |
6721178 |
|
|
10783333 |
|
|
|
|
09397817 |
Sep 17, 1999 |
6493220 |
|
|
10171582 |
|
|
|
|
60100976 |
Sep 18, 1998 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
361/679.09 ;
361/679.41 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 1/26 20130101; G16H
40/67 20180101; H02J 7/0045 20130101; G06F 1/1637 20130101; Y10S
248/918 20130101; A61B 5/0002 20130101; G06F 1/1632 20130101; G06F
1/1635 20130101; G06F 1/1686 20130101; G06F 1/1662 20130101; G06F
1/166 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
361/679.09 ;
361/679.41 |
International
Class: |
G06F 1/16 20060101
G06F001/16 |
Claims
1. A mobile computer workstation, comprising: a wheeled chassis
comprising a beam having a substantially vertical first member and
a second member connected to the first member, the second member
being movably positionable relative to the first member; means for
movably positioning the second member relative to the first member;
an actuator for operating the said means; a horizontal work surface
supported by the beam such that a vertical height of the work
surface is dependent on the position of the second member relative
to the first member; a docking station for a computer supported
adjacent to a first side of the work surface; a keyboard tray
adjacent to a second side of the work surface opposite to the first
side; and a power unit located on a lower end of the chassis and
comprising a battery charger and a rechargeable battery, the power
unit being electrically connected to the docking station.
2. A mobile workstation, comprising: a wheeled chassis comprising a
dolly assembly and a telescopingly adjustable vertical beam; a
substantially horizontal tray supported by the chassis, the tray
having an upper surface defining a substantially unencumbered work
surface; wherein the beam connects the tray to the chassis, the
beam having a first member connected to the dolly assembly and a
second member connected to the tray; wherein the beam can position
and hold the tray at a plurality of user-selectable vertical
heights; a display device supported by the tray and adjacent to a
first side of the work surface; a keyboard tray supported adjacent
to the tray at a second side of the work surface opposite to the
first side; a power unit supported by the chassis, wherein the
power unit comprises a rechargeable battery, a battery charger, and
a power cord, and wherein the rechargeable battery is connected to
the battery charger and the battery charger is connectable to an AC
power source by the power cord, and wherein the power unit supplies
power to at least the display device.
3. The mobile computer workstation of claim 2 further comprising a
power cord storage assembly operable for retracting the power cord
when the power cord is not connected to the AC power source.
4. The mobile computer workstation of claim 2 further comprising a
tiltable bracket connecting the display device to the tray and for
rotating the display device relative to the tray.
5. The mobile computer workstation of claim 2 further comprising a
computing device supported by the tray, wherein the power unit
supplies power to the computing device.
6. The mobile computer workstation of claim 5, further comprising:
a video conferencing system comprising a second display device and
a video camera located above the display devices.
7. The mobile computer workstation of claim 5, further comprising:
a medical monitoring device comprising a radio transceiver operable
for receiving and sending data between the medical monitoring
device and a computer network.
8. The mobile computer workstation of claim 5 wherein the computing
device is contained within a housing of the display device.
9. A mobile workstation, comprising: a wheeled chassis comprising a
beam having a substantially vertical first member and a second
member connected to the first member, the second member being
movably positionable relative to the first member; a tray supported
by the beam such that a vertical height of the tray is dependent on
the position of the second member relative to the first member, the
tray comprising an upper surface defining a substantially
horizontal work surface; a docking station for holding a computer
device; a bracket attached to one side the work surface for
supporting the docking station; a restraining member movable from
an open position to a closed position so that the computer device
can be removed from the docking station when the restraining member
is in an open position, and so that computer device is resiliently
restrained in the docking station when the restraining member is in
a closed position.
10. The mobile computer workstation of claim 9 further comprising a
lock movable from a release position to an interference position to
positively restrain the computer device in the docking station; and
means for selectively moving the lock from the interference
position to the release position to allow the computer device to be
removed from the docking station.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/190,716 filed Jul. 26, 2011 (now U.S. Pat.
No. ______); which is a continuation of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 12/852,097 filed Aug. 6, 2010 (now U.S. Pat. No.
7,990,691); which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 12/415,481 filed Mar. 31, 2009 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,791,866);
which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/358,164 filed Feb. 21, 2006 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,612,999); which
is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/783,333 filed Feb. 20, 2004 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,009,840); which
is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/171,582,
filed Jun. 13, 2002 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,721,178); which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/397,817, filed
Sep. 17, 1999 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,493,220). This application
claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/100,976
filed Sep. 18, 1998. Each of these applications is incorporated by
reference herein.
FIELD
[0002] This invention relates to mobile workstations and, more
particularly, to a mobile workstation that can include an
adjustable-height horizontal tray, a pull-out keyboard tray, a
vertically-mounted docking station mounted to the tray, a computer
terminal mounted beneath the tray, a display screen mounted to the
horizontal tray, and a power unit.
BACKGROUND
[0003] This section provides background information related to the
present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
[0004] Wireless computer terminals are particularly well-suited to
medical care environments, such as hospitals, doctors' offices, and
nursing homes. Here, wireless computer terminals offer a great
advantage by replacing the conventional clipboard hanging from a
patient's bed frame or examination table with a wireless computer
terminal that uses radio-frequency transmissions to communicate
with a distributed computer network. These wireless computer
terminals bring bedside medical care into the information age by
computerizing medical charts.
[0005] A wireless computer terminal is typically used to post and
retrieve the information that was traditionally posted on a
bed-side clipboard, such as the patient's prescriptions, vital
signs, receipt of medications, scheduled tests, etc. This and other
information is now automatically communicated between the wireless
computer terminal and a distributed patient-care computer network.
A medical practitioner making the rounds, such as a doctor or
nurse, usually picks up the wireless computer terminal from a fixed
storage location before visiting the patient and takes the terminal
into the patient's room. The practitioner then performs the
indicated tasks and enters any relevant information into the
wireless computer terminal, such as test results, vital signs,
observations, and the like. When the visit with the patient is
over, the practitioner usually returns the wireless computer
terminal to its storage location.
[0006] Deploying a wireless computer terminal in this type of
medical care environment presents several challenges. First, the
wireless computer terminal should be stored near the patient's
hospital or examination room for easy access by the medical
practitioner. Second, the wireless computer terminal should be kept
secure to prevent theft or tampering. Third, the wireless computer
terminal should be easily accessible with one hand because a
medical practitioner often has the other hand occupied, for example
with a tray of medications, a medical instrument, or the like.
Fourth, the battery inside a wireless terminal should be kept
charged.
[0007] To address these needs, wireless computer terminals have
been deployed in conjunction with wall-mounted cradles or docking
stations located outside of patient hospital rooms. The
wall-mounted cradle includes a key or electronic lock for
selectively securing the computer terminal in the cradle. For
example, the cradle may include a vertically movable leveling tray
that allows the wireless terminal to be easily removed from, and
replaced for storage within, the cradle with one hand using a
push-down-and-tilt motion. A locking mechanism selectively prevents
the leveling tray from moving vertically. A battery charger
connected to an AC power supply charges the computer terminal's
battery while the terminal is stored within the cradle.
[0008] These wall-mounted cradles work well but have a number of
drawbacks. In particular, a separate wall-mounted cradle with an
associated wireless computer terminal is typically located outside
each hospital room. This results in a relatively large number of
cradles and associated terminals, with each terminal sitting idle
most of the day. Purchasing such a large number of cradles and
associated terminals is expensive. In addition, once a practitioner
removes the terminal from the cradle and takes it into the
patient's hospital room, there may no place to conveniently store
the terminal inside the hospital room. The practitioner may have to
step back outside the patient's room to return the terminal to the
cradle if both hands are needed for another activity during the
visit, such as making the bed, assisting the patient to get out of
bed, dressing a wound, or some other activity.
[0009] In another attempt to address some of the needs of medical
practitioners, a mobile cart has been deployed in conjunction with
a laptop computer. The mobile cart includes a horizontal tray with
an upper surface on which the laptop computer resides. The laptop
computer is typically secured on the mobile cart with a KENSINGTON
lock (i.e., a cylinder-type key-operated mechanical lock). This
mobile cart with an attached laptop computer has some advantages,
but it also has a number of drawbacks. Physically walking back and
forth from the patient's bedside to the mobile cart to enter
patient information into the computer can be inconvenient. In many
cases, a removable computer terminal that can be carried over to
the patient's bedside would be more convenient. A removable
computer terminal more closely resembles a conventional clipboard
chart, which may be preferred by practitioners who have grown
accustomed to clipboard charts.
[0010] In the previous mobile cart design, however, the
practitioner must manually unlock the KENSINGTON lock to remove the
laptop computer. This can be inconvenient, particularly when the
medical practitioner is holding other items, such medical
instruments. The KENSINGTON lock itself, which typically dangles
from a cable connected to the computer, can be an annoyance. In
addition, the location of the laptop computer on the surface of the
cart occupies this space, which might be better used as a workspace
for the practitioner to make notes, carry instruments, place
medications, and so forth. The laptop computer also has a number of
limitations. For example, the computer's battery life is typically
about two to three hours, and recharging the battery typically
requires plugging the laptop computer's power cord into an AC
outlet for several hours. Plugging the laptop computer in for
recharging typically idles the mobile cart for this period.
[0011] There is, therefore, a need for an improved docking station
for a wireless computer terminal. Specifically, there is a need for
a docking station that eliminates the need for a wall-mounted
cradle and an associated wireless computer terminal located outside
each patient hospital room. There is a further need for a mobile
cart and associated computer terminal that is more convenient to
use, has increased workspace, and has increased battery life.
SUMMARY
[0012] This section provides a general summary of the disclosure,
and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of
its features.
[0013] The present application thus provides a mobile workstation
for use with a computer network. The mobile workstation may include
a medical monitoring device, a radio transceiver in communication
with the medical monitoring device operable for receiving and
sending data to the computer network, a display screen, and a
wheeled chassis for mounting the medical monitoring device, the
radio transceiver and the display screen.
[0014] The mobile workstation further may include a computing
device positioned on the wheeled chassis and in communication with
the medical monitoring device. The mobile workstation further may
include a power supply positioned on the wheeled chassis. The
mobile workstation further may include a videoconferencing
system.
[0015] The medical monitoring device may include a vital signs
capture device. The vital signs capture device may include a
monitor/control device. The vital signs capture device may include
a sensor. The sensor may include a blood pressure cuff, a
thermometry sensor, a pulse oximetry sensor, or a similar type of
device.
[0016] The present application further describes a mobile
workstation for use with a computer network. The mobile workstation
may include a videoconferencing system, a radio transceiver in
communications with the videoconferencing system and operable for
receiving and sending data to the computer network, and a wheeled
chassis for mounting the videoconferencing system and the radio
transceiver.
[0017] The mobile workstation further may include a computing
device positioned on the wheeled chassis and in communication with
the medical monitoring device. The mobile workstation further may
include a power supply positioned on the wheeled chassis. The
mobile workstation further may include a vital signs capture device
positioned on the wheeled chassis.
[0018] The videoconferencing system may include a video screen or a
dual video screen. The videoconferencing system may include a
diagnostic image or electronic medical records. The
videoconferencing system may include a video camera.
[0019] The present application further describes a method of using
a mobile workstation. The method may include rolling the mobile
workstation about a patient, viewing the patient's electronic
medical records on the mobile workstation, and conferencing with a
third party via the mobile workstation.
[0020] That the invention improves over the drawbacks of the prior
art and how it accomplishes the advantages described above will
become apparent from the following detailed description of the
exemplary embodiments and the appended drawings and claims.
[0021] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the
description provided herein. The description and specific examples
in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and
are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
DRAWINGS
[0022] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes
only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations,
and are not intended to limit the scope of the present
disclosure.
[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates a mobile workstation including a docking
station for a computer terminal in a typical environment, such as a
patient's hospital room;
[0024] FIGS. 2A-2D are a series of side views of the mobile
workstation of FIG. 1 illustrating the operation of an
adjustable-height horizontal tray and a tiltable docking
station;
[0025] FIGS. 3A-3D are a series of perspective views of the docking
station forming part of the mobile workstation of FIG. 1 showing
the push-down-and-tilt motion used to remove the wireless terminal
from the docking station;
[0026] FIGS. 4A-4B are perspective views of the mobile workstation
of FIG. 1 showing the operation of a pull-out keyboard tray;
[0027] FIG. 5A is a side view of the horizontal tray of the mobile
workstation of FIG. 1 showing an access hole and a release lever
for raising and lowering the horizontal tray;
[0028] FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the horizontal tray of the
mobile workstation of FIG. 1 showing an access hole and a release
lever for raising and lowering the horizontal tray;
[0029] FIG. 6A is a back view of the horizontal tray and mounting
bracket of the mobile workstation of FIG. 1;
[0030] FIG. 6B is a reverse view of the mounting bracket of FIG.
6A;
[0031] FIG. 7A is an exploded view the mounting bracket of FIG. 6A
and associated clutch assemblies;
[0032] FIG. 7B is a side view of a spring washer for the clutch
assemblies;
[0033] FIG. 7C is a perspective view of the spring washer of FIG.
7B;
[0034] FIG. 8 illustrates a mobile workstation including a computer
terminal and a display screen in a typical environment, such as a
patient's hospital room;
[0035] FIGS. 9A-9D are a series of side views of the mobile
workstation of FIG. 8 illustrating the operation of an
adjustable-height horizontal tray and a tiltable display
screen;
[0036] FIGS. 10A-10B are perspective views of the mobile
workstation of FIG. 8 showing the operation of a pull-out keyboard
tray;
[0037] FIG. 11A is a side view of the horizontal tray of the mobile
workstation of FIG. 8 showing an access opening and a release lever
for raising and lowering the horizontal tray;
[0038] FIG. 11B is a perspective view of the horizontal tray of the
mobile workstation of FIG. 8 showing an access opening and a
release lever for raising and lowering the horizontal tray;
[0039] FIG. 12A is a perspective view of the mobile workstation of
FIG. 8 showing the installation of the wireless computer terminal
and the keyboard;
[0040] FIG. 12B is a side view of the mobile workstation of FIG. 8
showing the installation of the wireless computer terminal,
keyboard, and battery pack;
[0041] FIG. 12C is a front view of the mobile workstation of FIG. 8
showing the installation of the wireless computer terminal and the
keyboard;
[0042] FIG. 13A is a perspective view of the horizontal tray and
tray housing of the mobile workstation of FIG. 8;
[0043] FIG. 13B is a top view of the horizontal tray and mounting
bracket of FIG. 13A;
[0044] FIG. 13C is a front view of the horizontal tray and mounting
bracket of FIG. 13A with an installed wireless computer terminal
and keyboard;
[0045] FIG. 13D is a side view of the horizontal tray and mounting
bracket of FIG. 13A with an installed wireless computer terminal
and keyboard;
[0046] FIG. 14A is a perspective view of the front mounting bracket
of the mobile workstation of FIG. 8;
[0047] FIG. 14B is a top view of the front mounting bracket of FIG.
14A;
[0048] FIG. 14C is a front view of the front mounting bracket of
FIG. 14A;
[0049] FIG. 14D is a side view of the front mounting bracket of
FIG. 14A;
[0050] FIG. 15A is a perspective view of the back mounting bracket
of the mobile workstation of FIG. 8;
[0051] FIG. 15B is a top view of the back mounting bracket of FIG.
15A;
[0052] FIG. 15C is a front view of the back mounting bracket of
FIG. 15A;
[0053] FIG. 15D is a side view of the back mounting bracket of FIG.
15A;
[0054] FIG. 16 is a front perspective view of yet another
embodiment of a mobile workstation;
[0055] FIG. 17 is a rear right side perspective view of the mobile
workstation in FIG. 16;
[0056] FIG. 18 is a rear right side perspective view of the mobile
workstation in FIG. 16 with a pull-out keyboard tray in the
extended position;
[0057] FIG. 19 is a front right side perspective view of the mobile
workstation in FIG. 16 with the pull-out keyboard tray in the
extended position;
[0058] FIG. 20 is a side view of the mobile workstation shown in
FIG. 16;
[0059] FIG. 21 is a rear perspective view of an alternative
embodiment of a mobile workstation with a vital signs capture
device;
[0060] FIG. 22 is a front perspective view of an alternative
embodiment of a mobile workstation with a videoconferencing
system;
[0061] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding
parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0062] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0063] The present invention may be embodied in a mobile
workstation that includes an adjustable-height horizontal tray and
a vertically-mounted docking station mounted to the horizontal
tray. The docking station removably supports a computer terminal
having a display screen, which may also serve as a touch-sensitive
input device, that can be easily seen and accessed when the
computer terminal is stored within the docking station. The mobile
workstation also includes a keyboard located on a pull-out keyboard
tray mounted to the underside of the horizontal tray. The keyboard
is connected to the computer terminal by way of the docking
station, so that the keyboard is automatically connected to the
computer terminal whenever the terminal is stored within the
docking station.
[0064] A tiltable bracket mounts the docking station to the
horizontal tray. A clutch assembly allows the angle of the bracket,
and along with it the angle of the docking station and the computer
terminal, to be adjusted to avoid glare on the terminal's display
screen. A spring-mounted, vertically-movable leveling tray allows
the wireless terminal to be easily removed from the docking station
using a push-down-and-tilt motion. An electronic lock selectively
prevents vertical movement of the leveling tray to secure the
computer terminal within the docking station. The docking station
may also include a key-operated lock, which may be used to unlock
the docking station in the event of a power outage or if the
electronic lock should fail.
[0065] The mobile workstation also carries a power converter and a
power unit including an extended-life battery, a battery charger
that connects to an AC power supply to charge the conventional
battery located inside the computer terminal as well as the
extended-life battery carried on the mobile workstation. The power
converter converts electrical power supplied by the battery to a
suitable electrical input source for the computer terminal and the
terminal display. The rechargeable battery power supply increases
the battery life of the computer terminal to about 8-12 hours,
which allows use of the computer terminal for an extended time
before having to fully recharge it. The power unit includes two
status-indicator lights to indicate when the unit is operating on
AC power and when the battery is low, and a seven-level battery
status-indicator light. The power unit may also include a sensor
that indicates when the battery is low.
[0066] With the docking station configuration described above, a
medical practitioner making the rounds can push the mobile
workstation from room to room and use the same computer terminal
when attending each patient. The extended-life battery allows the
mobile workstation to be used for an entire shift before
recharging. The mobile workstation thus eliminates the need for
locating a wall-mounted cradle and associated computer terminal
outside each patient's room. Because the docking station is
vertically mounted, the computer terminal does not occupy the top
surface of the horizontal tray, which allows this area to be used
as a work surface. The leveling tray allows the computer terminal
to be easily removed from, and replaced for storage within, the
docking station with one hand. The electronic lock allows the
docking station to be easily locked and unlocked with one hand.
[0067] Another embodiment of the present invention may be embodied
in a mobile workstation that includes an adjustable-height
horizontal tray on a chassis, a vertically mounted display screen
mounted above the horizontal tray, a wireless computer terminal and
a power converter mounted underneath the horizontal tray, a
pull-out keyboard tray mounted beneath the wireless computer
terminal, and a power unit mounted to the chassis. The horizontal
tray includes an underside front mounting bracket to support the
wireless computer terminal, and a rear mounting bracket to support
the power converter. The front mounting bracket supports the
wireless computer terminal adjacent to and beneath the horizontal
tray, leaving the work surface of the horizontal tray available for
other operator uses. The back mounting bracket or wiring tray
supports the power converter adjacent to and beneath the horizontal
tray so that the power converter easily connects to the wireless
computer terminal. A tray housing mounted to the underside of the
horizontal tray supports a pull-out keyboard tray so that a
keyboard mounted within the pull-out tray does not interfere with
the front mounting bracket or the rear mounting bracket. The
keyboard communicates with the computer terminal through a
conventional electrical connection so that the keyboard can be
easily connected to the computer terminal whenever the wireless
computer terminal is stored within the mobile workstation. The
wireless computer terminal removably connects to the display screen
that mounts to the top surface of the horizontal tray with a
tiltable bracket.
[0068] The mobile workstation also carries a power unit including
an extended-life battery and a battery charger that connects to an
AC power supply to charge the conventional battery located inside
or adjacent to the wireless computer terminal as well as the
extended-life battery carried on the mobile workstation. Each
battery connects to the power converter to supply power to the
wireless computer terminal and the terminal display through the
power converter. The rechargeable battery power supply increases
the battery life of the computer terminal to about 8-12 hours,
which allows use of the computer terminal for an extended time
before having to fully recharge it. The power unit includes two
status-indicator lights to indicate when the unit is operating on
AC power and when the battery is low, and a seven-level battery
status-indicator light. The power unit may also include a sensor
that indicates when the battery is low.
[0069] Yet another embodiment of the present invention may include
an adjustable-height horizontal tray on a chassis, a wireless
computer terminal mounted above the horizontal tray, a display
screen mounted above the wireless computer terminal, a pull-out
keyboard tray mounted beneath the horizontal tray, and a power unit
mounted to the chassis. The horizontal tray includes a mounting
bracket to support the wireless computer terminal above the
horizontal tray, leaving the part of the work surface of the
horizontal tray available for other operator uses. A tray housing
mounted to the underside of the horizontal tray supports a pull-out
keyboard tray so that a keyboard mounted within the pull-out tray
does not interfere with the bottom of the horizontal tray. The
keyboard communicates with the computer terminal through a
conventional electrical connection so that the keyboard can be
easily connected to the computer terminal whenever the wireless
computer terminal is stored within the mobile workstation. The
wireless computer terminal removably connects to the display screen
that mounts to the top surface of the horizontal tray with a
tiltable bracket.
[0070] The mobile workstation also carries a power converter and a
power unit including an extended-life battery and a battery charger
that connects to an AC power supply to charge the conventional
battery located inside or adjacent to the wireless computer
terminal as well as the extended-life battery carried on the mobile
workstation. Each battery connects to the power converter to supply
power to the wireless computer terminal and the terminal display
through the power converter. The rechargeable battery power supply
increases the battery life of the computer terminal to about 8-12
hours, which allows use of the computer terminal for an extended
time before having to fully recharge it. The power unit includes
two status-indicator lights to indicate when the unit is operating
on AC power and when the battery is low, and a seven-level battery
status-indicator light. The power unit may also include a sensor
that indicates when the battery is low.
[0071] With the wireless computer terminal configurations described
above, a medical practitioner making the rounds can push the mobile
workstation from room to room and use the same computer terminal
when attending each patient. The extended-life battery allows the
mobile workstation to be used for an entire shift before
recharging. The mobile workstation thus eliminates the need for
locating a wall-mounted cradle and associated computer terminal
outside each patient's room. When the computer terminal is mounted
beneath the horizontal tray, the computer terminal does not occupy
the top surface of the horizontal tray, which allows this area to
be used as a work surface. The front mounting bracket allows the
computer terminal to be easily removed from, and replaced for
storage within, the front mounting bracket. In the embodiment where
the computer terminal is mounted above the horizontal tray, the
computer terminal does not occupy the entire top surface of the
horizontal tray, which allows the remaining area to be used as a
work surface. In this configuration, the mounting bracket above the
horizontal tray allows the computer terminal to be easily removed
from, and replaced for storage within, the mounting bracket.
[0072] The wireless computer terminal in a mobile workstation can
also communicate through a radio-frequency communication channel
via a radio transmitter/receiver terminal antenna attached to the
top of the horizontal tray. In this manner, the wireless computer
terminal can exchange information with a computer network, such as
a distributed patient-care computer network.
[0073] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the mobile
workstation could be configured to support a device other than a
docking station or a wireless computer terminal, such as a medical
instrument. For example, the mobile workstation could be configured
to support an ultra-sound device used to view a fetus. The docking
station or the wireless computer terminal could be removed from the
mobile workstation, and a similarly sized ultra-sound device could
be placed within the mobile workstation. The patient could then
view the display screen of the mobile workstation to see the
results of the ultra-scan procedure. Many other applications, both
medical and non-medical, will become apparent to those skilled in
the art from the examples described in this specification.
[0074] Turning now to the drawings, in which like numerals indicate
like elements throughout the several figures, FIG. 1 illustrates a
mobile workstation 10 in a typical environment, such as a patient's
hospital room 5. The mobile workstation 10 includes an
adjustable-height horizontal tray 12 supported by a chassis 14. The
chassis 14 includes a dolly assembly 16 that allows an operator,
such as a medical practitioner, to easily push the mobile
workstation 10 from place to place. The horizontal tray 12 supports
a docking station 18 that, in turn, removably supports a device,
such as the wireless computer terminal 20 with a terminal display
screen. The chassis 14 includes a vertical beam 22 connecting the
horizontal tray 12 to the dolly assembly 16.
[0075] The vertical beam 22 includes a gas-spring height adjustment
mechanism for adjusting the length of the beam and, thus, the
height of the horizontal tray 12 above the dolly assembly 14. For
example, the chassis 14 may be a model MPC2001 manufactured by
JACO, Inc. with the standard tray replaced by the horizontal tray
12 shown in FIG. 1. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that
other types of wheeled chassis would be suitable for this purpose.
In addition, other types of height adjustment mechanisms would also
be suitable, such as a rack and pinion mechanism, a cable and
pulley mechanism, a ratchet mechanism, a ball screw mechanism, a
removable pin and holes arrangement, and so forth. Nevertheless, a
gas-spring height adjustment mechanism is preferred because it is
easy operate and ergonomically desirable.
[0076] The mobile workstation 10 also carries a power unit 24
including a power converter, a battery charger, an extended-life
battery, a power cord 26, and a recoil mechanism that automatically
recoils the power cord when the cord is not plugged into an AC
outlet. The power converter converts power received from the power
unit 24 to suitable power for the wireless computer terminal 20.
The power unit 24 is located on the lower end of the chassis 14.
For example, the power unit 24 may reside between two metal beams
in the dolly assembly 16 at the lower end of the chassis 14. The
extended-life battery may be a 12-Volt sealed lead acid battery,
and the power supply may be a 120-Volt AC to 16-Volt DC
converter.
[0077] The power unit 24 typically includes a first
status-indicator light to inform the user when the unit is running
on AC power, a second status-indicator light to inform the user
when the battery needs recharging, and a seven-level battery
status-indicator light to inform the user about the power status of
the battery. The power unit 24 may also include an alarm or audible
indicator to inform the user when the extended-life battery power
needs recharging. The extended-life battery can be recharged by
connecting the plugging the power cord 26 into a standard 120-volt
AC outlet. When not in use, the recoil mechanism retracts the power
cord 26 into the power unit 24.
[0078] The wireless computer terminal 20 typically includes a radio
transmitter/receiver antenna for communicating over an approved
radio frequency. In particular, the wireless computer terminal 20
may establish a radio-frequency communication channel 28 with a
distributed patient-care computer network 30 through an antenna 32
connected to a network access point 34. This network access point
is typically located in an enclosure 36 located above the ceiling
of the hospital room. The network access point 34, in turn, allows
the wireless computer terminal 20 to communicate with the
distributed patient-care computer network 30. For example, the
network access point 34 may be a RANGELAN2 7500 Series Access Point
manufactured by PROXIM, INC. of Mountain View, Calif.
[0079] FIGS. 2A-2D are a series of side views of the mobile
workstation 10 illustrating the operation of an adjustable-height
horizontal tray 12 and the tiltable docking station 18. FIG. 2A
shows the mobile workstation 10 with the height-adjustable
horizontal tray 12 in a vertically lowered position. To raise the
tray, the operator places his or her hand through an opening 40 in
the side of the horizontal tray 12. The operator then lifts a
release lever 42, which releases a stop in the gas-spring height
adjustment mechanism in the vertical beam. The operator then raises
or lowers the horizontal tray 12 while holding the release lever 42
in a raised position.
[0080] Assistance provided by the gas-spring height adjustment
mechanism allows the operator to change the height of the
horizontal tray 12 with little effort. Once the horizontal tray 12
is at a desired height, represented by the height shown in FIG. 2B,
the operator releases the lever 42, which locks the tray at the
desired height. With this type of mechanism, the operator can
quickly and easily place the horizontal tray 12 at virtually any
height within the adjustment range of the gas-spring height
adjustment mechanism. The assistance provided by the gas-spring
height adjustment is ergonomically desirable in that it avoids back
strain or other lifting problems that could otherwise be
encountered by operators using the mobile workstation 10.
[0081] FIG. 2C illustrates the mobile workstation 10 with the
docking station 18 in a vertical position. A tiltable bracket 44
attaches the docking station 18 to the horizontal tray 12. A clutch
46 in the tiltable bracket maintains the docking station 18 in a
number of selectable rotational positions relative to the tray 12.
The rotational range of the tiltable bracket 44 is preferably about
30 degrees rearward from vertical. That is, the tiltable bracket 44
preferably allows the docking station 18 to be rotated from the
position shown in FIG. 2C to the position shown in FIG. 2D. The
tiltable bracket 44 could also be configured to allow the docking
station 18 to rotate forward through a similar rotational
range.
[0082] It should be understood that the term "substantially
vertical" may include a range about a strictly vertical
orientation, represented by the 30 degree range illustrated by
FIGS. 2C-D. For example, the term "substantially vertical" includes
configurations in which the bracket 44 maintains the docking
station 18 in a strictly vertical orientation, or at a fixed
rotational orientation with a vertical component, or within a range
of rotational orientations including orientations that include
vertical components. Alternatively, the docking station 18 could be
supported in a substantially horizontal position, for example by a
drawer or pull-out tray located above or under the horizontal tray
12. Other locations for the docking station 18 may be preferred in
certain environments. For example, the docking station could be
mounted to the side of the horizontal tray 12, to the underside of
the horizontal tray 12, to the dolly assembly 16, to the vertical
beam 22, and so forth.
[0083] The clutch 46 imparts sufficient rotational resistance to
maintain the docking station 18, with an associated computer
terminal 20, at any of the rotational aspects within the rotational
range defined by the tiltable bracket 44. At the same time, the
rotational resistance imparted by the clutch 46 is pliant enough to
allow the operator to change the rotational orientation of the
docking station 18 with one hand. For example, the operator may
easily adjust the angle of the docking station 18 to avoid glare on
the display screen of the computer terminal 20. The tiltable
bracket 44 and the clutch 46 are described in greater detail with
reference to FIGS. 6A-B and 7A-C below.
[0084] FIGS. 3A-3D are a series of perspective views of the docking
station 18 and an associated wireless computer terminal 20 showing
the push-down-and-tilt motion used to remove the terminal from the
docking station. The docking station 20 includes a base 50, a back
plane 52, and two spaced-apart retaining arms 54 and 56. When the
computer terminal 20 is located in the docking station, the
retaining arms 54 and 56 support the top side 62 of the terminal.
The base 50 includes a leveling tray 58 with a rubber cushion 60
for receiving the bottom side of the computer terminal 20. The
rubber cushion 60 includes raised collars on either end that
prevent the computer terminal 20 from being removed from the
docking station 18 when the leveling tray 58 is locked in the upper
position, as shown in FIG. 3A.
[0085] The docking station 18 includes a control panel 62 having a
keypad 64, typically with four keys. The docking station 18 may be
configured so that the keypad 64 operates as an electronic
combination lock. The leveling tray 58 can be depressed when the
docking station is unlocked and, when the docking station 18 is
locked, the leveling tray 58 cannot be depressed. The docking
station 18 may also include a manual key lock that may be used to
lock and unlock the docking station in the event of a power outage
or a malfunction of the electronic lock.
[0086] The control panel 62 may also include status lights 64a-c
that indicate status information regarding the docking station 18.
For example, these status lights typically indicate whether the
docking station is locked, whether power is on, and provide status
information while a user is configuring the docking station with
passwords. A touch-pin battery charging terminal 68 or other
conventional electrical connection located in the leveling tray 58
may be used to charge a battery within the computer terminal 20
while the terminal is stored within the docking station 18. This
battery charging terminal, in turn, is connected to the power unit
24. The power unit includes the power cord 26, which may be plugged
into a standard 120 Volt AC outlet. In addition, the docking
station 18 may include a communication interface, such as an
optical interface, for communicating data between the computer
terminal 20 and the docking station 18 while the terminal is stored
within the docking station. This allows the computer terminal 20 to
communicate with the keypad 64 and/or an optional keyboard that
plugs into the docking station 18.
[0087] To remove the computer terminal 20, an operator first
unlocks the docking station 18 and then places his or her hand on
the top side 62 of the terminal and pushes downward. Provided that
the docking station 18 is unlocked, this motion depresses the
leveling tray 58, as shown in FIG. 3B. The operator then tilts the
terminal 20 forward, as shown in FIG. 3C, and removes the terminal
20, as shown in FIG. 3D. An example of a suitable docking station
is described in commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No.
08/841,496, entitled "Cradle For Holding A Device," filed Apr. 23,
1997, which is incorporated into this specification by
reference.
[0088] FIGS. 4A-B are perspective views of the mobile workstation
10 showing the operation of a pull-out keyboard tray 70, which is
supported by the underside of the horizontal tray 12. The pull-out
keyboard tray 70 slides from an inner position, shown in FIG. 4A,
to an outer position, shown in FIG. 4B. A keyboard mounted on the
keyboard tray 70 typically plugs into the docking station 18, which
communicates keystrokes with the computer terminal 20 by way of a
conventional electrical connection. This allows an operator to
easily remove the computer terminal 20 from the docking station
18.
[0089] In FIGS. 4A-4B, the top portion of a rectangular cover for
the vertical beam 22 has been removed, showing an underlying shaft
72 and a power cable 73 connecting the power unit 24 to the docking
station 18. This shaft 72 connects to the gas-spring height
adjustment mechanism 74 that allows adjustment of the height of the
horizontal tray 12. The gas-spring height adjustment mechanism 74,
which is located at the bottom of the vertical beam 22, sits on top
of the dolly assembly 16. This dolly assembly includes an arched
cross-beam 76 that connects to two horizontal runner beams 78a-b.
Two casters, represented by the caster 80, are connected to the
bottom sides of each horizontal runner beam 78a-b. The power unit
24 is mounted below the arched cross beam 76 to an arched support
plate 82, which connects between the horizontal runner beams
78a-b.
[0090] FIGS. 4A-B also show that the top side of the horizontal
tray 12 defines a substantially horizontal work surface 86, which
is bordered by a raised edge guard 88. The rear edge of the
horizontal tray 12 includes a recess 90 for the docking station 18,
which defines an elongate dimension 92 and a relatively slender
dimension 94. That is, the docking station 18 is substantially
taller than it is thick. The tiltable mounting bracket 44 supports
the docking station 18 so that the elongate dimension 92 is
substantially vertical and the relatively slender dimension 94 is
substantially horizontal. Because the docking station 18 is
vertically mounted, the terminal 20 does not occupy the top surface
86 of the horizontal tray 12, which allows this area to be used as
a work surface. In addition, the computer terminal 20 typically
includes a display screen 96, and the docking station 18 supports
the terminal with the display screen substantially perpendicular to
and above the top surface 86 of the horizontal tray 12 for easy
viewing. It will be understood that the term "substantially
perpendicular" includes a range of orientations because the docking
station 18 may rotate through a rotational range about a strictly
perpendicular orientation.
[0091] FIG. 5A is a side view of the horizontal tray 12 showing the
access hole 40 and the release lever 42 for raising and lowering
the horizontal tray 12. The release lever 42 operates the
gas-spring height adjustment lever, which is shown best in FIG. 4A.
FIG. 5A also shows the end of the pull-out keyboard tray 70, which
includes a lip 98 to aid in pulling the keyboard tray out and
pushing it back in.
[0092] FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the horizontal tray 12
showing the access hole 40 and the release lever 42 for raising and
lowering the horizontal tray 12. FIG. 5B also shows the top surface
86, the edge guard 88, and the recess 90 of the horizontal tray 12.
The top surface 86 of the horizontal tray 12 is preferably
constructed from a non-porous material, such as plastic or metal.
For example, the horizontal tray 12 may be constructed from a flat
wooden, particle board, or composite substrate covered with a
plastic overlay defining the top surface 86 and the edge guard 88.
The plastic overlay may be created with an injection mold, and then
glued to the substrate. The bracket 44 includes mounting brackets
102a-b and a back plane 100 supporting the docking station. The
back plane 100 may be formed from a heavy gauge sheet metal,
fiberglass, or composite. The sides 103 and bottom 104 the
horizontal tray 12 may be formed from sheet metal.
[0093] FIG. 6A is a back view, and FIG. 6B is a reverse view, of
the horizontal tray 12 showing the tiltable bracket 44, including
the back plane 100 and mounting brackets 102a-b. The mounting
brackets 102a-b are bolted to the rear side of the horizontal tray
12 and extend into the recess 90 so that the back plane 100 is
approximately flush with the rear side of the horizontal tray 12
when the back plane is in a vertical position. The mounting
brackets 102a-b each include an arcuate slot 106a-b to allow the
back plane 100 to rotate through a rotational range with respect to
the mounting brackets. For example, that rotational range is
approximately 30 degrees in the configuration shown in FIGS. 6A-B.
Clutch assemblies 46a-b at the connections between the mounting
brackets 102a-b the back plane 100 support the back plane 100, with
an associated docking station 18 and computer terminal 20, in
virtually any rotational orientation within the rotational range
defined by the slots 106a-b.
[0094] FIG. 7A is an exploded view the mounting brackets 102a-b and
the clutch assemblies 46a-b. Referring to the clutch assembly 46b
for illustration purposes, this assembly includes two identical
connection assemblies 110a-b. Referring now to the connection
assembly 110a for illustration purposes, this assembly includes a
threaded standoff 112 including a collar that passes through a hole
in the support frame 114 of the back plane 100 and a rim that
catches on the support frame. The threaded standoff 112 is
preferably press-fitted into the hole in the support frame 114.
[0095] The connection assembly 110a also includes a nylon shoulder
washer 116 including a collar that passes through a hole in the
mounting bracket 44b and a rim that catches on the mounting
bracket. The collar of nylon shoulder washer 116 is sized to snugly
receive the threaded standoff 112. The connection assembly 110a
also includes a nylon washer 118, two steel washers 120 and 122,
and a steel spring washer 124 positioned for compression between
the steel washers. A bolt 126 passes through these washers and
screws into the threaded standoff 112. The bolt 126 may be
tightened into the threaded standoff 112 to compress the steel
spring washer 124 and provide a desired amount of resistance in the
connection assembly 110a.
[0096] FIG. 7B is a side view of the spring washer 124, and FIG. 7C
is a perspective view of the spring washer. These figures show that
the spring washer 124 has a slight conical shape that is raised in
the middle with respect to the outer perimeter. This type of spring
washer provides a compact and inexpensive mechanism for imparting
an adjustable amount of resistance in the connection assembly 110a.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other types of clutch
assemblies could be employed in embodiments of the invention.
[0097] Another embodiment of a mobile workstation is shown in FIG.
8 illustrates a mobile workstation 210 in a typical environment,
such as a patient's hospital room 205. The mobile workstation 210
includes an adjustable-height horizontal tray 212 supported by a
chassis 214. The chassis 214 includes a dolly assembly 216 that
allows an operator, such as a medical practitioner, to easily push
the mobile workstation 210 from place to place. The horizontal tray
212 includes an underside tray housing 218, an underside front
mounting bracket 220, and an underside back mounting bracket 222 or
wiring tray.
[0098] The tray housing 218 supports a keyboard (not shown) or
keypad for a wireless computer terminal (not shown). The wireless
computer terminal mounts within the front mounting bracket 220. The
back mounting bracket 222 or wiring tray supports a power converter
(not shown) supplying power to the wireless computer terminal. A
tiltable display screen 224 attaches to the top of the horizontal
tray 212 while connecting to the wireless computer terminal. The
back mounting bracket 222 or wiring tray can also support
additional power converters for the display screen 224 or for other
electrical devices associated with the mobile workstation 210.
[0099] The chassis 214 includes a vertical beam 226 connecting the
horizontal tray 212 to the dolly assembly 216. The vertical beam
226 includes a gas-spring height adjustment mechanism (not shown)
and a release lever 228 for adjusting the length of the beam 226
and, thus, the height of the horizontal tray 212 above the dolly
assembly 216. For example, the chassis 214 may be a model MPC2001
manufactured by JACO, Inc. with the standard tray replaced by the
horizontal tray 212 shown in FIG. 8. Those skilled in the art will
appreciate that other types of wheeled chassis would be suitable
for this purpose. In addition, other types of height adjustment
mechanisms would also be suitable, such as a rack and pinion
mechanism, a cable and pulley mechanism, a ratchet mechanism, a
ball screw mechanism, a removable pin and holes arrangement, and so
forth. Nevertheless, a gas-spring height adjustment mechanism 228
is preferred because it is easy operate and ergonomically
desirable.
[0100] The mobile workstation 210 also carries a power converter
(not shown) within the back mounting bracket 222 and a power unit
230 including a battery charger, an extended-life battery, a power
cord 232, and a recoil mechanism that can retract the power cord
when the cord is not in use. The power unit 230 supplies power to
the wireless computer terminal through the power converter. The
power unit 230 is located on the lower end of the chassis 214. For
example, the power unit 230 may reside between two metal beams in
the dolly assembly 216 at the lower end of the chassis 214. A
suitable power unit 230 is a 26 Amp-Hour battery providing a
regulated 10-16 Volt output at 40 watts with an automatic low power
cut-off. The extended-life battery may be a 12-Volt sealed lead
acid battery, and the battery charger may be a 120-Volt AC to
16-Volt DC converter.
[0101] The power unit 230 typically includes a first
status-indicator light to inform the user when the unit is
operating off of AC power, a second status-indicator light to
inform the user when the battery needs recharging, and a
seven-level battery status-indicator light. The power unit 230 may
also include a sound indicator that beeps to inform the user when
the extended-life battery needs recharging. When plugged into an AC
outlet, the battery charger will charge both the extended-life
battery and operate the wireless computer terminal by supplying the
power converter connected to the computer terminal. The
extended-life battery can be recharged by plugging the power cord
232 into a standard 120-volt AC outlet. When not in use, the recoil
mechanism can retract the power cord 232 into the power unit
230.
[0102] The wireless computer terminal inside the mobile workstation
210 communicates through a radio transmitter/receiver terminal
antenna 234 attached to the top of the horizontal tray 212. The
terminal antenna 234 is operable for communicating over an approved
radio frequency. A suitable radio transmitter/receiver to mount to
the wireless computer terminal is a Lucent Extended 802.11 radio
with a cable for using an external antenna. A suitable terminal
antenna 234 for mounting to the horizontal tray 212 is a whip
antenna used in DOS VMT products (1380/1390, 1320/1330). In
particular, the wireless computer terminal may establish a
radio-frequency communication channel 236 with a distributed
patient-care computer network 238 through an antenna 240 connected
to a network access point 242. This network access point 242 is
typically located in an enclosure 244 located above the ceiling of
the hospital room. The network access point 242, in turn, allows
the wireless computer terminal to communicate with the distributed
patient-care computer network 238. For example, the network access
point 242 may be a RANGELAN2 7500 Series Access Point manufactured
by PROXIM, INC. of Mountain View, Calif.
[0103] FIGS. 9A-9D are a series of side views of the mobile
workstation 210 illustrating the operation of an adjustable-height
horizontal tray 212 and the display screen 224. FIG. 9A shows the
mobile workstation 210 with the height-adjustable horizontal tray
212 in a vertically lowered position. To raise the tray 212, the
operator places his or her hand through an access opening 246 in
the side of the tray housing 218. The operator then lifts the
release lever 228, which releases a stop in the gas-spring height
adjustment mechanism (not shown) in the vertical beam 226. The
operator then raises or lowers the horizontal tray 212 while
holding the release lever 228 in a raised position.
[0104] Assistance provided by the gas-spring height adjustment
mechanism allows the operator to change the height of the
horizontal tray 212 with little effort. Once the horizontal tray
212 is at a desired height, represented by the height shown in FIG.
9B, the operator releases the lever 228, which locks the tray 212
at the desired height. With this type of mechanism, the operator
can quickly and easily place the horizontal tray 212 at virtually
any height within the adjustment range of the gas-spring height
adjustment mechanism. The assistance provided by the gas-spring
height adjustment is ergonomically desirable in that it avoids back
strain or other lifting problems that could otherwise be
encountered by operators using the mobile workstation 210.
[0105] FIG. 9C illustrates the mobile workstation 210 with the
display screen 224 in a vertical position. A tiltable bracket 248
attaches the display screen 224 to the horizontal tray 212. The
tiltable bracket 248 maintains the display screen 224 in a number
of selectable rotational positions relative to the tray 212 so that
the display screen 224 is in front of users for ease of visibility.
The rotational range of the tiltable bracket 248 is preferably
about 30 degrees rearward from vertical. That is, the tiltable
bracket 248 preferably allows the display screen 224 to be rotated
from the position shown in FIG. 9C to the position shown in FIG.
9D. The tiltable bracket 248 could also be configured to allow the
display screen 224 to rotate forward through a similar rotational
range.
[0106] It should be understood that the term "substantially
vertical" may include a range about a strictly vertical
orientation, represented by the 30 degree range illustrated by
FIGS. 9C-9D. For example, the term "substantially vertical"
includes configurations in which the bracket 248 maintains the
display screen 224 in a strictly vertical orientation, or at a
fixed rotational orientation with a vertical component, or within a
range of rotational orientations including orientations that
include vertical components. Alternatively, the display screen 224
could be supported in a substantially horizontal position, for
example by a drawer or pull-out tray located above or under the
horizontal tray 212. Other locations for the display screen 224 may
be preferred in certain environments. For example, the display
screen 224 could be mounted to the side of the horizontal tray 212,
to the underside of the horizontal tray 212, to the dolly assembly
216, to the vertical beam 226, and so forth.
[0107] The tiltable bracket 248 imparts sufficient rotational
resistance to maintain the display screen 224, with an associated
computer terminal (not shown), at any of the rotational aspects
within the rotational range defined by the tiltable bracket 248. At
the same time, the rotational resistance imparted by the tiltable
bracket 248 is pliant enough to allow the operator to change the
rotational orientation of the display screen 224 with one hand. For
example, the operator may easily adjust the angle of the display
screen 224 to avoid glare on the display screen 224. A clutch
mechanism similar to that discussed with reference to FIG. 7 may be
used to allow selective rotation of the display screen 224.
[0108] FIGS. 10A-10B are perspective views of the mobile
workstation 210 showing the operation of a pull-out keyboard tray
250, which is supported by the tray housing 218 attached to the
underside of the horizontal tray 212. The pull-out keyboard tray
250 slides from an inner position, shown in FIG. 10A, to an outer
position, shown in FIG. 10B, along conventional rollers (not shown)
within a conventional roller guide slots (not shown). Typically,
rollers mounted to the bottom side of the keyboard tray 250 fit
within roller guide slots attached to the top side of the tray
housing 218. A keyboard (not shown) fits within the pull-out
keyboard tray 250. The pull-out keyboard tray 250 is to detent when
fully extended away from the front edge of the tray housing 218,
permitting the operator to type on the keyboard without the
keyboard tray 250 sliding back into the tray housing 218. When the
pull-out keyboard tray 250 is in the retracted position, the
keyboard tray 250 will not slide out during movement or transport
of the mobile workstation 210.
[0109] As shown in FIG. 10B, the pull-out keyboard tray 250 can be
extended outward from the front end of the tray housing 218. The
rollers on the bottom of the pull-out keyboard tray 250 permit the
pull-out tray 250 to roll forward within the roller guide slots
along the length of the top side of the tray housing 218. The
roller guide slots have a physical stop at the front end of the
tray housing 218. When a roller makes contact with the physical
stop at the front end of the tray housing 218, the pull-out
keyboard tray 250 cannot be extended any further from the front
edge of the tray housing 218.
[0110] In FIGS. 10A-10B, the top portion of a rectangular cover for
the vertical beam 226 has been removed, showing an underlying shaft
252 and a power cable 254 connecting the power unit 230 to the
power converter (not shown). This shaft 252 connects to the
gas-spring height adjustment mechanism 256 that allows adjustment
of the height of the horizontal tray 212. The gas-spring height
adjustment mechanism 256, which is located at the bottom of the
vertical beam 226, sits on top of the dolly assembly 216. This
dolly assembly includes an arched cross-beam 258 that connects to
two horizontal runner beams 260a-b. Two casters, represented by the
caster 262, are connected to the bottom sides of each horizontal
runner beam 260a-b. For example, a suitable size caster is a
conventional 5'' caster. The power unit 230 is mounted below the
arched cross beam 258 with a support bracket 264, which connects
between the horizontal runner beams 260a-b.
[0111] FIGS. 10A-10B also show that the top side 266 of the
horizontal tray 212 defines a substantially horizontal work
surface. The tiltable bracket 248 supports the display screen 224
so that the elongate dimension 268 is substantially vertical and
the relatively slender dimension 270 is substantially horizontal.
Because the display screen 224 is vertically mounted, the display
screen 224 does not occupy a substantial portion of the top surface
266 of the horizontal tray 212, which allows this area to be used
as a work surface. It will be understood that the term
"substantially vertical" includes a range of orientations because
the display screen 224 may rotate through a rotational range about
a strictly perpendicular orientation.
[0112] FIG. 11A is a side view of the horizontal tray 212 and the
attached tray housing 218 showing the access opening 246 and the
release lever 228 for raising and lowering the horizontal tray 212.
The release lever 228 operates the gas-spring height adjustment
mechanism 256 previously shown in FIGS. 10A-10B. The access opening
246 in the side wall of the tray housing 218 provides convenient
operator access to actuate the release lever 228.
[0113] FIG. 11B is a perspective view of the horizontal tray 212
showing the access opening 246 and the release lever 228 for
raising and lowering the horizontal tray 212. Typically, the
release lever 228 has a tee or a paddle on the end, so that an
operator can conveniently actuate the release lever 228 thereby
raising or lowering the gas-spring height adjustment mechanism
256.
[0114] FIG. 11B also shows the top surface 266 of the horizontal
tray 212. The top surface 266 of the horizontal tray 212 is
preferably constructed from a non-porous material, such as plastic
or metal. For example, the horizontal tray 212 may be constructed
from a flat wooden, particle board, or composite substrate covered
with a plastic overlay defining the top surface 266. The plastic
overlay may be created with an injection mold, and then glued to
the substrate. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other
types of horizontal trays could be employed in embodiments of the
invention.
[0115] FIGS. 12A-12C are a series of detailed views of the mobile
workstation 210 of FIG. 8, with the display screen 224, a keyboard
272, a wireless computer terminal 274, and a power unit 230. FIG.
12A is a perspective view of the mobile workstation 210 illustrated
in FIG. 8. FIG. 12B is a side view of the mobile workstation 210
illustrated in FIG. 12A. FIG. 12C is a front view of the mobile
workstation 210 illustrated in FIG. 12A.
[0116] In FIG. 12A, the mobile workstation 210 is shown with a
display screen 224 mounted to the top surface of the horizontal
tray 212. A tiltable bracket 248 connects the display screen 224 to
the top of the horizontal tray 212. Conventional electrical
connections (not shown) provide an interface between the wireless
computer terminal 274 and the display screen 224. A suitable
display screen 224 is a flat panel LCD with a 14-15'' TFT viewable
screen, a minimum video resolution of 1024.times.768 pixels, a
minimum 200 nit, and a DC power input. Those skilled in the art
will appreciate that other types of display screens could be
employed in embodiments of the invention, including those having
touch performance screens.
[0117] As shown in FIG. 12B, a front mounting bracket 220 mounts to
the bottom side 278 of the horizontal tray 212, and holds the
computer terminal 274 substantially parallel to the bottom side 278
of the front portion of the horizontal tray 212. The front mounting
bracket 220 is sized to support the wireless computer terminal 274,
such as a laptop computer, within the front bracket 220 and
adjacent to the bottom side of the horizontal tray 212. The front
mounting bracket 220 has an access window 280 in the side wall for
operator access to various ports or interfaces in the side of the
wireless computer terminal 274.
[0118] The wireless computer terminal 274 may include a
communication interface, such as an optical interface or a
conventional electrical connection, for communicating data between
the computer terminal 274 and the keyboard 272. The communication
interface between the keyboard 272 and the computer terminal 274
allow the keyboard 272 to communicate keystrokes to the computer
terminal 274. This type of operation permits an operator to easily
remove the computer terminal 274 from the front mounting bracket
220, or to remove the keyboard 272 from the keyboard tray 250. As
previously described in FIG. 8, the wireless computer terminal 274
can then send signals through the terminal antenna 234 attached to
the top surface 266 of the horizontal tray 212 to communicate with
a remote computer network (shown in FIG. 8 as 238) via a radio
frequency communication channel (shown in FIG. 8 as 236).
[0119] A suitable wireless computer terminal is an Orion PC
manufactured by Netier Technologies. The variety of computer
terminal models offered under the Orion PC family includes a "Thin
Client" configuration, or a "Fat" system. For example, the "Fat"
system comprises an ACD-MSX-100 base unit with a Pentium 266 MHz
microprocessor on a Socket 7 motherboard operating a MICROSOFT
Windows 95 operating system, 32-128 MB RAM, 2 MB Video RAM, 2 GB
hard disk, two Type II PCMCIA slots, one Type III PCMCIA slot, one
parallel port, one serial port, one video port, one LCD port, dual
USB ports, one PS/2 keyboard/mouse port, one IrDa port, and one
battery module. Optional accessories for the Orion PC family
include an automobile cigarette lighter charger/adaptor, and AC
charger/adaptor, a second battery module, a floppy disk drive, and
a CD-ROM or CD-R drive. Those skilled in the art will appreciate
that other computer terminals can be used in conjunction with the
present invention to achieve the same purpose.
[0120] Many different computer interfaces may be used to input data
into the wireless computer terminal, including a keyboard, a
keypad, a scanner, a serial mouse, or any other similar type of
input device. A suitable keyboard for use with the wireless
computer terminal is a thin Cherry keyboard with a PS/2 interface.
An optional plastic keyboard cover protects the keyboard from
spills during usage. Other computer interfaces for the wireless
computer terminal include a PSC Q6000 scanner with a PS/2
interface, a serial mouse, and a Y-cable to merge the keyboard and
the scanner inputs.
[0121] Typically, a conventional electrical connection (not shown)
between the wireless computer terminal 274 and the power converter
provides an interface between the computer terminal 274 and the
power converter. Conventional electrical connections such an
automobile adaptor plug, or a touch-pin battery charging terminal
can be used with a wireless computer terminal 274 to provide an
interface with the power converter within the back mounting bracket
222. The power converter, in turn, is connected to the power unit
230 by the power cable (shown in FIG. 10A as 254). The power unit
230 can then be plugged into a standard 120 Volt AC outlet with the
power cord 232.
[0122] The back mounting bracket 222 or wiring tray also mounts to
the bottom side 278 of the horizontal tray 212. The back mounting
bracket 222 or wiring tray supports the power converter
substantially parallel to and adjacent to the bottom side 278 of
the horizontal tray 212. The power converter is supported within
the sidewalls of the back mounting bracket 222, which can further
support cables (not shown) for other devices connected to the
computer terminal 274, such as a mouse, keypad, or other similar
devices, or support other power converters for other electrical
devices associated with the mobile workstation 210. A series of
ventilation holes 282 machined in the sidewall of the back mounting
bracket 222 assist in venting heat away from the power converter
mounted within the back bracket 222.
[0123] The tray housing 218 is also attached the bottom side 278 of
the horizontal tray 212. The tray housing 218 is sized to fit over
the front mounting bracket 220 and the back mounting bracket 222
leaving sufficient clearance between the topside of the tray
housing 218 and both the front bracket 220 and the back bracket
222. Sufficient clearance between the tray housing 218 and the
front mounting bracket 220 permits the installation of a keyboard
272 or keypad within the pull-out keyboard tray 250 in the tray
housing 218, so that the keyboard 272 does not interfere with the
bottom of the front mounting bracket 220 when the pull-out keyboard
tray 250 is fully retracted within the tray housing 218 as
shown.
[0124] The access opening 246 in the side wall of the tray housing
218 permits operator access to various ports or interfaces on the
side of the wireless computer terminal 274 through the access
window 280 of the front mounting bracket 220. The size of the
access opening 246 also permits operator access to actuate the
release lever 228 of the gas spring height adjustment mechanism
(shown in FIG. 10A as 256) to raise or lower the height of the
mobile workstation 210 as shown in FIGS. 9A-9B and FIGS.
11A-11B.
[0125] FIG. 12B shows the pull-out keyboard tray 250 in a retracted
position within the tray housing 218. The display screen 224 of the
mobile workstation 210 is shown in a substantially vertical
orientation to the horizontal tray 212. In this configuration, an
operator can transport the mobile workstation 210 from one area to
another area, or use the top surface 266 of the horizontal tray 212
as a work surface. The length 284 of the horizontal runner beams
260a-b is approximately 21.3 inches.
[0126] FIG. 12C shows a front view of the mobile workstation 210 in
FIG. 12A. The computer terminal 274 is shown mounted within the
front mounting bracket 220 and above the keyboard 272 mounted
within the pull-out keyboard tray 250. The height 286 from the top
surface 266 of the horizontal tray 212 to the floor is
approximately 38.6 inches when the tray 212 is in the lowermost
position. The height 288 from the top edge of the display screen
224 in a fully vertical orientation to the floor is approximately
54.5 inches when the tray 212 is in the lowermost position. The
width 290 between the outboard ends of the horizontal runner beams
260a-b is approximately 21.4 inches. Other heights 286, 288 for the
horizontal tray 212 and the display screen 224 can be attained when
the mobile workstation is adjusted for ease of accessibility and
visibility.
[0127] FIGS. 13A-13D illustrate a series of views of the horizontal
tray 212 of the mobile workstation 210 of FIG. 8 with an attached
tray housing 218, front mounting bracket 220, back mounting bracket
222, and pull-out keyboard tray 250. FIG. 13A shows a perspective
view of the horizontal tray 212 shown in FIG. 8, with an attached
tray housing 218 extending from the bottom side of the horizontal
tray 212.
[0128] FIG. 13B shows the top view of the horizontal tray 212. The
top surface of the horizontal tray 212 is rectangular in shape with
rounded edges at the front side 292, the left side 294, and right
side 296. The rear side 298 of the horizontal tray 212 has a square
edge. The width 300 of the horizontal tray 212 from the left side
294 to the right side 296 is approximately 18.0 inches. The depth
302 of the horizontal tray 212 from the front edge 292 to the rear
edge 298 is approximately 19.4 inches. A series of four mounting
holes 304a-d is machined into the rear portion of the top surface
266 of the horizontal tray 212 to correspond with a set of mounting
bolts (not shown) used to secure the base of the tiltable bracket
(shown in FIGS. 12A-12C as 248) to the top surface 266 of the
horizontal tray 212. A first hole 306 in the left rear portion of
the top surface 266 of the horizontal tray 212 provides access for
the display screen cables (not shown) to extend from the display
screen 224 to the computer terminal 274 underneath the horizontal
tray 212. A second hole 308 machined in the left rear portion of
the horizontal tray 212 provides a mount for the terminal antenna
234 permitting the wireless computer terminal 274 to communicate
with a computer network (shown in FIG. 8 as 238) via radio
frequency communication channel (shown in FIG. 8 as 236).
[0129] FIG. 13C shows the front view of the horizontal tray 212
shown in FIG. 13A, with a wireless computer terminal 274 within the
front mounting bracket 220, and a keyboard 272 within the pull-out
keyboard tray 250 mounted to the tray housing 218. Each side wall
310a-b of the tray housing 218 curves inward at the top portion of
the side wall providing a mounting lip 312a-b to attach the tray
housing 218 to the bottom side 278 of the horizontal tray 212.
Holes (not shown) are machined in the mounting lip 312a-b to
correspond with bolts (not shown) to attach the tray housing 218
securely to the bottom side 278 of the horizontal tray 212.
[0130] A pull-out keyboard tray 250 is supported between the side
walls 310a-b of the tray housing 218 and substantially parallel to
the top side of the tray housing 218. The pull-out tray 250 can be
extended or retracted from the front of the tray housing 218. As
described previously, conventional rollers (not shown) mounted on
the bottom of the pull-out tray 250 correspond with guide slots
(not shown) mounted or machined into the top side of the tray
housing 218. The keyboard 272 fits within the pull-out keyboard
tray 250 so that the keyboard 272 does not interfere with the front
mounting bracket 220 when the pull-out keyboard tray 250 is
retracted within the tray housing 218.
[0131] FIG. 13D shows a side view of the horizontal tray 212 shown
in FIG. 13A, with an attached tray housing 218, front mounting
bracket 220, back mounting bracket 222 or wiring tray, and pull-out
keyboard tray 250. The front mounting bracket 220 mounts towards
the front portion of the horizontal tray 212, providing operator
access to the computer terminal 274 from the front edge 292 of the
horizontal tray 212. The back mounting bracket 222 or wiring tray
mounts towards the rear portion of the horizontal tray 212, flush
with the rear edge 298 of the bottom side 278 of the horizontal
tray 212. The tray housing 218 mounts near the front edge of the
bottom side 278 of the horizontal tray 212, substantially
overlapping the front mounting bracket 220 and partially
overlapping the back mounting bracket 222. The access opening 246
in the side wall of the tray housing 218 permits operator access to
the various ports or interfaces in the side of the wireless
computer terminal 274 through the access window 280 of the front
mounting bracket 220. The height 314 of the horizontal tray 212
with the attached tray housing 218 measured from the top surface
266 of the horizontal tray 212 to the bottom side of the tray
housing 218 is approximately 4.7 inches.
[0132] FIGS. 14A-14D illustrate the details of the front mounting
bracket 220 shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 14A shows a perspective view of a
front mounting bracket 220. The front mounting bracket 220 is sized
to receive a wireless computer terminal 274 between two side walls
316a-b and on the top surface 318 of the front bracket 220. Each
side wall 316a-b of the front bracket 220 is shaped with a mounting
lip 320a-b extending along the top of each side wall 316a-b for
mounting the front bracket 220 to the bottom surface 278 of the
horizontal tray 212. Two bolt holes 322a-d are machined through
each mounting lip 320a-b to receive bolts (not shown) attaching the
front bracket 220 to the bottom surface 278 of the horizontal tray
212. Access windows 324, 326 are cut into each side wall 316a-b of
the front bracket 220 to permit user access to the ports or
interfaces on each side of the wireless computer terminal 274. An
elongated access opening 328 along the rear portion of the front
bracket 220 permits user access to the ports or interfaces on the
bottom of the wireless computer terminal 274. Four tongue
protrusions 330a-d from the top surface 318 of the front bracket
220 position the wireless computer terminal 274 within the front
bracket, between the side walls 316a-b and flush against the rear
edge 132 of the front bracket 220. Two of the tongue protrusions
330b, 330d extend from and are parallel to the rear edge 332 of the
front bracket 220 to prevent the wireless computer terminal 274
from extending past the rear edge 332 of the front bracket 220. The
other two tongue protrusions 330a, 330d extend upward from the top
surface 318 of the front bracket 220 and run parallel with the side
walls 316a-b of the front bracket 220 to position the wireless
computer terminal 274 between the side walls 316a-b of the front
bracket 220 and towards the center portion of the front bracket
220. The tongue protrusions 330a-d are used to position the
wireless computer terminal 274 within the front bracket 220. Other
types of positioning structures or methods may be used in
accordance with the present invention.
[0133] FIG. 14B shows a top view of the front mounting bracket 220
in FIG. 14A. The front mounting bracket 220 can be manufactured
from 1/16 inch thickness sheet steel, or any other suitable
material. The width 334 of the front bracket 220 measured from the
interior of the left sidewall 316a to the interior of the right
sidewall 316b is approximately 14.3 inches. The width 336 of the
front bracket 220 measured from the outboard end of the left
sidewall mounting lip 320a to the right sidewall mounting lip 320b
is approximately 15.5 inches. The depth 338 of the front bracket
220 measured from the front edge 340 to the rear edge 332 is
approximately 7.4 inches.
[0134] FIG. 14C shows a front view of the front mounting bracket
220 shown in FIG. 14A. The height 342 of the front mounting bracket
220 measured from the top of either mounting lip 320a-b to the
bottom side 344 of the front bracket 220 is approximately 2.522
inches.
[0135] FIG. 14D shows a side view of the front mounting bracket 220
shown in FIG. 14A. The access windows 324, 326 cut into the side
walls 316a-b of the front bracket 220 are sized to permit access to
ports or interfaces on the sides of the wireless computer terminal
(shown in FIG. 13D as 274).
[0136] FIGS. 15A-15D illustrate the details of the back mounting
bracket 222 or wiring tray shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 15A shows a
perspective view of a back mounting bracket 222 or wiring tray. The
back mounting bracket 222 or wiring tray is sized to receive a
power converter (shown within the back mounting bracket 222 in FIG.
12B as 276) between two side walls 342a-b, a rear wall 344, and the
top surface 346 of the back mounting bracket 222. The back mounting
bracket 222 or wiring tray can also support associated cables or
other power converters associated with the mobile workstation 210.
The side walls 342a-b of the back bracket 222 are shaped with a
mounting lip 348a-b extending along the top of each side wall
142a-b for mounting the back bracket 222 to the bottom surface
(shown in FIG. 13D as 278) of the horizontal tray (shown in FIG.
13D as 212). A single bolt hole 350a-b is machined through each
curved mounting lip 348a-b to receive bolts (not shown) attaching
the back mounting bracket 222 to the bottom surface 278 of the
horizontal tray 212. The series of ventilation holes 282 machined
into the side walls 342a-b of the back bracket 222 permit the
ventilation of heat from the power converter 276 within the back
bracket, allowing subsequent cooling of the power converter
276.
[0137] An access window 352 cut into the middle portion of the
front edge 354 of the top surface 346 of the back bracket 222
accommodates the vertical beam (shown in FIG. 10A-10B as 226). The
vertical beam 226 extends upward from the chassis 216 and fits into
the access window 352.
[0138] FIG. 15B shows a top view of the back mounting bracket 222
or wiring tray shown in FIG. 15A. The back mounting bracket 222 or
wiring tray can be manufactured from 1/16 inch thickness sheet
steel, or any other suitable material. The interior width 356 of
the back bracket 222 measured from the interior of the left
sidewall 342a to the interior of the right sidewall 342b is
approximately 13.8 inches. The exterior width 358 of the back
bracket 222 measured from the outboard end of the left sidewall
342a mounting lip 348a to the outboard end of the right sidewall
342b mounting lip 348b is approximately 15.5 inches. The depth 360
of the back bracket 222 measured from the front edge 354 of the
back bracket 222 to the rear edge 362 of the back bracket 222 is
approximately 7.5 inches. A series of bolt holes 364 are drilled in
the top surface 346 of the back bracket 222 to mount the battery
pack 276 to the back mounting bracket 222. A corresponding series
of bolts (not shown) pass through the bolt holes 364 attaching the
battery pack 276 to the top surface 346 of the back bracket 222.
Other holes 365 shown in the top surface 346 of the back bracket
222 are used for tie-wraps to secure loose cables in the back
mounting bracket 222 or wiring tray.
[0139] FIG. 15C shows a front view of the back mounting bracket 222
or wiring tray shown in FIG. 15A. The height 366 of the back
mounting bracket 222 measured from the top of either mounting lip
348a-b to the bottom side 368 of the back bracket 222 is
approximately 2.8 inches.
[0140] FIG. 15D shows a side view of the back mounting bracket 22
in FIG. 15A. The ventilation holes 282 in the center portion of the
left sidewall 342a are selectively sized and shaped to permit
sufficient ventilation of heat from the power converter 276,
resulting in the subsequent cooling of the power converter 276.
[0141] FIG. 16 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of
a mobile workstation 410. The mobile workstation 410 includes an
adjustable-height horizontal tray 412 supported by a chassis 414.
The chassis 414 includes a dolly assembly 416 that allows an
operator, such as a medical practitioner, to easily push the mobile
workstation 410 from place to place. The horizontal tray 412
includes an underside tray housing 418, a mounting bracket 420, and
an underside back mounting bracket 422.
[0142] The tray housing 418 supports a keyboard (not shown) or
keypad for a wireless computer terminal (not shown) in a pull-out
keyboard tray 424. The wireless computer terminal mounts within the
mounting bracket 420. The back mounting bracket 422 supports a
power converter (not shown) that converts conventional AC or
battery power to suitable electrical power for the wireless
computer terminal and a display screen 426. The tiltable display
screen 426 attaches to the top of the horizontal tray 412 while
connecting to the wireless computer terminal. The back mounting
bracket 222 can also support associated cables or other power
converters associated with the mobile workstation 210.
[0143] The chassis 414 includes a vertical beam 428 connecting the
horizontal tray 412 to the dolly assembly 416. The vertical beam
428 includes a gas-spring height adjustment mechanism (not shown)
and a release lever (not shown) for adjusting the length of the
beam 428 and, thus, the height of the horizontal tray 412 above the
dolly assembly 416. For example, the chassis 414 may be a chassis
model previously described and shown in FIG. 8.
[0144] The mobile workstation 410 also carries a power unit 430
including a battery charger, an extended-life battery, a power cord
432, and a recoil mechanism that can retract the power cord when
the cord is not plugged into an AC outlet. The power unit 430 is
located on the lower end of the chassis 414. For example, the power
unit 430 may reside between two metal beams in the dolly assembly
416 at the lower end of the chassis 414. A suitable power unit 430
is a 26 Amp-Hour battery providing a regulated 10-16 Volt output at
40 watts with an automatic low power cut-off. The extended-life
battery may be a 12-Volt sealed lead acid battery, and the battery
charger may be a 120-Volt AC to 16-Volt DC converter.
[0145] The power unit 430 typically includes a first
status-indicator light to inform the user when the AC power is
being supplied, a second status-indicator light to inform the user
when the battery needs recharging, and a seven-level battery
status-indicator light. The power unit 430 may also include a sound
indicator that beeps to inform the user when the battery needs
recharging. When plugged into an AC outlet, the battery charger
will charge both the extended-life battery and operate the wireless
computer terminal. The extended-life battery can be recharged by
plugging the power cord 432 into a standard 120-volt AC outlet.
When not in use, the recoil mechanism automatically recoils the
power cord 432 into the power unit 430.
[0146] The wireless computer terminal inside the mobile workstation
410 communicates through a radio transmitter/receiver terminal
antenna 434 attached to the top of the horizontal tray 412. The
terminal antenna 434 is operable for communicating over an approved
radio frequency. In particular, the wireless computer terminal may
establish a radio-frequency communication channel with a
distributed patient-care computer network as previously shown and
described in FIG. 8.
[0147] FIG. 17 is a rear right side perspective view of the mobile
workstation 410 in FIG. 16. A tiltable bracket 436 attaches the
display screen 426 to the horizontal tray 412. The tiltable bracket
436 maintains the display screen 426 in a number of selectable
rotational positions relative to the tray 412. The rotational range
of the tiltable bracket 436 is preferably about 30 degrees rearward
from vertical. That is, the tiltable bracket 436 preferably allows
the display screen 426 to be rotated left to right. The tiltable
bracket 436 could also be configured to allow the display screen
426 to rotate forward through a similar rotational range.
[0148] It should be understood that the term "substantially
vertical" may include a range about a strictly vertical
orientation, represented by a 30 degree range. For example, the
term "substantially vertical" includes configurations in which the
bracket 436 maintains the display screen 426 in a strictly vertical
orientation, or at a fixed rotational orientation with a vertical
component, or within a range of rotational orientations including
orientations that include vertical components. Alternatively, the
display screen 426 could be supported in a substantially horizontal
position, for example by a drawer or pull-out tray located above or
under the horizontal tray 412. Other locations for the display
screen 426 may be preferred in certain environments. For example,
the display screen 426 could be mounted to the side of the
horizontal tray 412, to the underside of the horizontal tray 412,
to the dolly assembly 416, to the vertical beam 428, and so
forth.
[0149] The tiltable bracket 436 imparts sufficient rotational
resistance to maintain the display screen 426, with an associated
computer terminal (not shown), at any of the rotational aspects
within the rotational range defined by the tiltable bracket 436. At
the same time, the rotational resistance imparted by the tiltable
bracket 436 is pliant enough to allow the operator to change the
rotational orientation of the display screen 426 with one hand. For
example, the operator may easily adjust the angle of the display
screen 426 to avoid glare on the display screen 426.
[0150] FIG. 18 is a rear right side perspective view of the mobile
workstation 410 in FIG. 16 with the pull-out keyboard tray in the
extended position. The pull-out keyboard tray 424 slides from an
inner position, shown in FIGS. 16-17, to an outer position, shown
in FIG. 18, along conventional rollers (not shown) within a
conventional roller guide slots (not shown). Typically, rollers
mounted to the bottom side of the keyboard tray 424 fit within
roller guide slots attached to the top side of the tray housing
418. A keyboard (not shown) fits within the pull-out keyboard tray
424. The pull-out keyboard tray 424 is to detent when fully
extended away from the front edge of the tray housing 418,
permitting the operator to type on the keyboard without the
keyboard tray 424 sliding back into the tray housing 418. When the
pull-out keyboard tray 424 is in the retracted position, the
keyboard tray 424 will not slide out during movement or transport
of the mobile workstation 410.
[0151] As shown in FIG. 18, the pull-out keyboard tray 424 can be
extended outward from the front end of the tray housing 418. The
rollers on the bottom of the pull-out keyboard tray 424 permit the
pull-out tray 424 to roll forward within the roller guide slots
along the length of the top side of the tray housing 418. The
roller guide slots have a physical stop at the front end of the
tray housing 418. When a roller makes contact with the physical
stop at the front end of the tray housing 418, the pull-out
keyboard tray 424 cannot be extended any further from the front
edge of the tray housing 418.
[0152] FIG. 19 is a front right side perspective view of the mobile
workstation 410 in FIG. 16 with the pull-out keyboard tray 424 in
the extended position. The top portion of a rectangular cover for
the vertical beam 428 has been removed, showing an underlying shaft
438 and a power cable 440 connecting the power unit 430 to the
power converter (not shown). This shaft 438 connects to the
gas-spring height adjustment mechanism (not shown) that allows
adjustment of the height of the horizontal tray 412. The gas-spring
height adjustment mechanism, which is located at the bottom of the
vertical beam 428, sits on top of the dolly assembly 416. This
dolly assembly 416 includes an arched cross-beam 442 that connects
to two horizontal runner beams 444a-b. Two casters, represented by
the caster 446, are connected to the bottom sides of each
horizontal runner beam 444a-b. For example, a suitable size caster
is a conventional 5'' caster. The power unit 430 is mounted below
the arched cross beam 442 with a support bracket 448, which
connects between the horizontal runner beams 444a-b.
[0153] FIG. 20 is a side view of the mobile workstation 410 shown
in FIG. 16. The mounting bracket 420 attaches to the top surface of
the horizontal tray 412 permitting a wireless computer terminal
(not shown) to be stored on the top of the horizontal tray 412. The
tiltable bracket 436, supporting the display screen 426, mounts to
the top surface of the mounting bracket 420. A touch-pin display
interface (not shown) located on the back of the wireless computer
terminal provides an interface between the computer terminal and
the display screen 426.
[0154] The tray housing 418 mounts to the underside of the
horizontal tray 412. The pull-out keyboard tray 424 supporting a
keyboard (not shown), mounts to the front portion of the top
surface of the tray housing 418. The wireless computer terminal may
include a communication interface, such as an optical interface,
for communicating data between the computer terminal and the
keyboard. A conventional electrical connection allows the keyboard
to communicate keystrokes to the computer terminal. This type of
operation permits an operator to easily remove the computer
terminal from the mounting bracket 420, or to remove the keyboard
from the pull-out keyboard tray 424.
[0155] The back mounting bracket 422 or wiring tray attaches to the
rear portion of the underside of the horizontal tray 412. The back
mounting bracket 422 or wiring tray supports the power converter
(not shown) for supplying power to the wireless computer terminal.
A touch-pin battery charging terminal (not shown) or other
conventional electrical connection, such as an automobile adaptor
plug, located on the back of the wireless computer terminal
provides an interface between the computer terminal and the power
converter within the back mounting bracket 422. The power
converter, in turn, is connected to the power unit 430 by the power
cable (shown in FIG. 19 as 440). The power unit 430 can then be
plugged into a standard 120 Volt AC outlet with the power cord
432.
[0156] An access opening 450 in the side of the tray housing
permits operator access to actuate a release lever 452 for raising
and lowering the horizontal tray 412. The release lever 452
operates the gas-spring height adjustment mechanism (not shown).
Typically, the release lever 452 has a tee or a paddle on the end,
so that an operator can conveniently actuate the release lever 452
thereby raising or lowering the gas-spring height adjustment
mechanism.
[0157] In view of the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the
invention provides a mobile workstation that includes an
adjustable-height horizontal tray and a vertically-mounted docking
station mounted to the horizontal tray. The mobile workstation also
carries a power converter and a power unit including a battery
charger and an extended-life battery for a wireless computer
terminal stored within the docking station. It will also be
appreciated that the invention provides a mobile workstation that
includes an adjustable-height horizontal tray mounted on a chassis,
a vertically-mounted display screen mounted to the horizontal tray,
a wireless computer terminal and battery converter mounted to the
horizontal tray, a pull-out keyboard tray mounted beneath the
computer terminal, and a power unit mounted to the chassis. The
power unit also includes a battery charger and an extended-life
battery for the wireless computer terminal.
[0158] FIG. 21 shows another embodiment of a mobile workstation
500. The mobile workstation 500 may be similar to the mobile
workstation 410 or the other mobile workstations described above.
The mobile workstation 500 may include a patient vital signs
capture device 510. The patient vital signs capture device 510 may
include a monitor/control device 520 and a sensor device 530. The
monitor/control device 520 includes a data display. The sensor
device 530 may be a blood pressure cuff or a similar type of
device. Other types of sensors 530 may include thermometry sensor,
a pulse oximetry sensor, and similar types of devices. Through the
use of these and similar sensors 530, the patient vital signs
capture device 510 may be able to capture a patient's
electrocardiogram, blood pressure (NiBP), SP02 (blood oxygen
saturation), pulse, temperature, and the like. The patient vital
signs capture device 510 may be a Vital Signs Monitor 300 series
sold by Welch Allyn of Beaverton, Oreg. or similar types of
devices. Any type of medical monitoring device may be used
herein.
[0159] By integrating the patient vital signs capture device 510
with the mobile workstation 500, the capture of real time vitals
data into the electronic medical record is possible. Double entries
and lag time thus may be largely eliminated. The vital signs
capture device 510 also may be used without the computer terminal
as may be desired. Rather, the vital signs capture device 510 may
establish a radio-frequency communication channel with a
distributed patient-care computer network through an antenna or
other type of radio transceiver connected to a network access
point.
[0160] FIG. 22 shows a further embodiment of a mobile workstation
550. The mobile workstation 550 may be similar to the mobile
workstation 410 or the other mobile workstations described above.
In this embodiment, the mobile workstation 550 includes a
videoconferencing system 560. The videoconferencing system 560 may
include an extra large monitor or screen as described above or it
may include a dual screen 570 as is shown. The dual screen 570 thus
allows the use of two high resolution imaging displays. As such,
diagnostic images, electronic medical records (EMR), or other
patient data may be shared. A video camera 580 also may be
used.
[0161] The videoconferencing system 560 as a whole thus offers
interaction with remote experts or others while simultaneously
reviewing the patient's chart and images. Specifically, remote
experts can be consulted and provide advice with easy access to up
to date patient information and vitals.
[0162] It should be understood that the foregoing relates only to
the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and that
numerous changes may be made therein without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following
claims.
[0163] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been
provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not
intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention. Individual
elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not
limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are
interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if
not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in
many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure
from the invention, and all such modifications are intended to be
included within the scope of the invention.
* * * * *