Mobile Office System
A mobile office system provides a portable, convenient, and efficient framework for setting up communication devices, establishing connectivity, and delivering interactive presentations. The mobile office system includes a portable component carrier. Inside the portable component carrier are component placement structures that define placement locations at which the specific components of the mobile office may be placed, stored, and secured. As one example, the component placement structures may define slots configured to securely hold tablet computers in place during movement of the portable component carrier.
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This disclosure relates to mobile wireless office setup and configuration.
BACKGROUNDRapid advances in communication technologies, driven by immense customer demand, have resulted in the widespread adoption of mobile communication devices. Many of these devices, e.g., tablet computers, support multiple different wireless communication protocols, such as 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ad (or other variants of WiFi), Bluetooth, and other protocols. These advances have made it more complex and therefore more difficult to quickly setup such devices, configure their communication interfaces for secure and controlled communications, and collaboratively engage the devices in a controlled exchange of information.
The carrier 100 greatly facilitates setting up and executing presentations on wireless communication devices, as well as updating presentations. The carrier 100 may include a set of devices that provide a variety of ways to give presentations, e.g., via tablet computers or via a projector, and the presentation may include both audio and video components. The devices in the carrier 100 support a controlled presentation for multiple people for any given length of time, e.g., for 22 or more people for 90 or more minutes. In addition, the devices in the carrier 100 may include a data collection device configured to collect attendance and survey data.
The wireless communication devices may be tablet computers, cellular phones, netbooks, or any other device that supports wireless communication over 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ad (or other variants of WiFi), Bluetooth, or any other protocol. The wireless communication devices may be assigned roles for the purposes of the presentation, such as a presenter role and a receiver role. In the presenter role, a wireless communication device may transmit the audio/visual data for the presentation to any number of receivers. The wireless communication devices in the receiver role may then receive and play back the audio/visual data in synchronism with the presenter. As just one example, the wireless communication devices may implement presentation sharing capability provided by, e.g., the Idea Flight presentation sharing solution available from Conde Nast, but other presentation delivery mechanisms may be used.
The first compartment 102 and second compartment 104 may be configured in many different ways. One particular configuration is provided below. However, any carrier may define other arrangements, positions, and locations for the devices and components of the system.
The first compartment 102 includes multiple individual wireless communication device component placement structures (e.g., 106, 108, 110). These structures may be sequentially arranged in an array 112 that defines a wireless communication device storage section 114 within the first compartment 102. In this example, the structures are individual fingers of material (e.g., foam) that partially extend into the cavity 122 to engage and secure the wireless communication devices. The wireless communication device component placement structures define individual wireless communication device placement locations (e.g., 116, 118, 120) that securely hold the wireless communication devices, e.g., via an interference fit against adjacent fingers. The placement locations are, in this example, apertures into which tablet computers may be inserted.
The wireless communication device storage section 114 is adapted to store multiple instances of the same or different pre-determined wireless communication devices, for instance a tablet computer. In the example in
The first compartment 102 may also include a speaker component placement structure 124, e.g., adjacent to the wireless communication device storage section 114. The speaker component placement structure 124 defines a speaker placement location 126 adapted to receive a speaker. The speaker may be virtually any type of speaker, such as a portable powered Bluetooth speaker. The speaker component placement structure 124 may be implemented as foam walls that define the speaker placement location 126, and that may provide an interference fit against the speaker to help secure the speaker in place.
The first compartment 102 may also include a cable component placement structure 128, e.g., adjacent to the speaker component placement structure 124. The cable component placement structure 128 defines a cable placement location 130 adapted to receive, e.g., electrical cables or other components, for any of the devices in the carrier 100. The cable component placement structure 128 may be implemented as foam walls that define the cable placement location 130. In some implementations, a cover (e.g., a corrugated plastic piece) may be provided to sit over or on top of the cable placement location 130. Further, a strap may be provided to secure the cover in place over the cable placement location 130 to facilitate retaining the components in the cable placement location 130.
The first compartment 102 may also include a charging component placement structure 132, e.g., adjacent to at least one of the multiple wireless communication device component placement structures, the speaker component placement structure 124, and the cable component placement structure 128. The charging component placement structure 132 defines a charging placement location 134 adapted to receive charging modules, power strips for the charging modules, or any other components that facilitate charging the wireless communication devices. In the example shown in
The second compartment 104 includes a wireless networking router component placement structure 152 defining a wireless networking router placement location 154 adapted to receive a pre-determined wireless networking router. Note that the wireless networking router placement location 154 extends across the width and height of the opening defined by the wireless networking router component placement structure 152. In addition, the second compartment 104 includes a projector component placement structure 156. In this example, the projector component placement structure 156 is located underneath the wireless networking router component placement structure 152, thereby forming a multiple level component placement structure arrangement. The projector component placement structure 156 defines a projector placement location 158 adapted to receive a video projector. Accordingly, when stored, the projector rests underneath the wireless networking router. A buffer layer (e.g., of foam or padding) may be added on top of the projector to help buffer the projector from the wireless network router. There may be foam, padding, or both underneath all or part of the projector to provide a buffer for the projector. For instance,
The second compartment 104 also includes a stand component placement structure 160 defining a stand placement location 162. The stand placement location 162 is adapted to receive stands for the wireless communication devices. A cover, e.g. a corrugated plastic piece, may be provided to cover the stands. In addition, a strap may be provided to secure the cover over the stand placement location 162 to facilitate retaining the stands in the stand placement location 162.
As noted above, the wireless communication device component placement structures define individual wireless communication device placement locations. The individual wireless communication device placement locations may have a depth selected to leave exposed a charging port on the wireless communication device, when the wireless communication device is inserted into the individual wireless communication device placement location. More generally, the wireless communication device component placement structures may have a depth that leaves exposed a portion of the pre-determined wireless communication device when the pre-determined wireless communication device is inserted into the individual wireless communication device placement location. In that regard, the second compartment 104 may also include an opening 164 adapted to receive, when the portable component carrier 100 is closed, the portions of the pre-determined wireless communication devices that are exposed.
There are many ways in which the carrier may be constructed. For instance, starting with empty compartments 102 and 104, relatively rigid foam inserts may be fabricated and inserted into the compartments to define the placement structures and placement locations. Materials other than foam may be used. The straps may be secured to the compartments at locations underneath the foam inserts. The straps may include hook and loop or other fasteners to secure the straps in place over the components and devices. In one implementation the strap for the cover for the cable placement location 130 is sized to also accept, underneath the strap, a data collection device (e.g., a separate tablet computer) that may collect attendance, survey, or any other data relevant to the presentation.
In the second compartment 104 is the wireless networking router 216, secured in the wireless networking router placement location. A strap 218 helps to secure the wireless networking router in place. Underneath the wireless networking router 216 is a portable projector secured in the projector placement location. A strap 220 is also shown that helps secure the stands in place in the stand placement location 158.
Further, padding may be present under any of the component placement structures.
Any of the padding may be configurable in thickness. For instance, the case 100 may include additional pads (e.g., 408 and 410) of any thickness that fit into the wireless communication device component placement locations. Adding pads to the bottom of the placement locations adjusts the depth of the placement locations, and allows for placement locations that adapt to any particular device. As a specific example, when a less wide wireless communication device is stored in the case 100, additional pads may be inserted to raise the wireless communication device and thereby, e.g., keep a charging port exposed, or keep exposed a pre-determined portion of the wireless communication device to facilitate insertion into and removal the component placement structure.
Again, padding may be present under any of the component placement structures.
in which component placement structures may be defined, inserted, or otherwise provided. In that respect, the method 600 includes determining which component placement structures to implement in the shell compartments (606).
Several examples are given in
As another example, when the carrier will hold a projector (616), the manufacturer may provide a projector component placement structure (e.g., the structure 156) in any desired shell compartment (610). When the carrier will hold a speaker (620), the manufacturer may provide a speaker component placement structure (e.g., the structure 124) in a selected shell compartment (622). Similarly, when the carrier will hold cables (624), chargers (628), or stands (632), the manufacturer may implement cable component placement structures (e.g., the structure 128) (626), charger component placement structures (e.g., the structure 132) (630), or stand component placement structures (e.g., the structure 160) (634). Of course, a manufacturer may determine to store any other device or component in the carrier (636), and provide corresponding component placement structure (638).
Table 1, below, summarizes a specific example implementation of the carrier 100.
Table 2, below, provides example dimensions for the component placement structures.
In one implementation, the component placement structures are fabricated from Polyethylene Foam 21b. The opening 164 may be defined with a Cross-Linked Polyethylene Foam 21b measuring approximately 10.5″×8.25″ to provide additional protection for the wireless communication devices when carrier 100 is closed.
Various implementations have been specifically described. However, many other implementations are also possible. For example, different types of foam with differing density, composition, and resiliency may securely hold the components in place. As another example, the foam may have different colors at different locations to help guide the identification of components, e.g., foam of a particular color for the components to remove first, or foam of a particular color to identify components related to chargers. As yet another example, the overall size and shape of the kit may vary widely to provide more or less room for additional passenger components, chargers, stands, and the like.
Claims
1. A system comprising:
- a portable component carrier; and
- within the portable component carrier: a wireless communication device component placement structure defining an individual wireless communication device placement location adapted to hold a pre-determined wireless communication device; and a wireless networking router component placement structure defining a wireless networking router placement location adapted to receive a pre-determined wireless networking router.
2. The system of claim 1, where:
- the wireless communication device component placement structure is one of multiple individually defined wireless communication device component placement structures within the portable component carrier.
3. The system of claim 2, where:
- the wireless communication device component placement structures are sequentially arranged in an array that defines a wireless communication device storage section within the portable component carrier adapted to store multiple instances of the pre-determined wireless communication device.
4. The system of claim 1, where:
- the individual wireless communication device placement location has a depth selected to leave exposed a charging port on the pre-determined wireless communication device when the pre-determined wireless communication device is inserted into the individual wireless communication device placement location.
5. The system of claim 1, where:
- the wireless communication device component placement structure has a depth that leaves exposed a portion of the pre-determined wireless communication device when the pre-determined wireless communication device is inserted into the individual wireless communication device placement location.
6. The system of claim 5, where:
- the portable component carrier comprises a first compartment and a second compartment connected together by a hinge;
- the wireless communication device component placement structure is located in the first compartment; and
- the second compartment comprises an opening adapted to receive, when the portable component carrier is closed, the portion of the pre-determined wireless communication device that is exposed.
7. The system of claim 6, further comprising:
- padding in the opening adapted to buffer, when the case is closed, the portion of the pre-determined wireless communication device.
8. The system of claim 1, further comprising, within the portable component carrier:
- a speaker component placement structure defining a speaker placement location adapted to receive a speaker.
9. The system of claim 1, further comprising, within the portable component carrier:
- a projector component placement structure defining a projector placement location adapted to receive a video projector.
10. The system of claim 1, further comprising, within the portable component carrier:
- a charging component placement structure defining a charging placement location adapted to receive charging modules, power strips for the charging modules, or both to facilitate charging for the wireless communication devices.
11. The system of claim 1, further comprising, within the portable component carrier:
- a stand component placement structure defining a stand placement location adapted to receive stands for the wireless communication devices.
12. The system of claim 1, further comprising, within the portable component carrier:
- a cable component placement structure defining a cable placement location adapted to receive electrical cables for the wireless communication devices.
13. A method comprising:
- providing a portable component carrier; and
- providing within the portable component carrier: a wireless communication device component placement structure defining an individual wireless communication device placement location adapted to hold a pre-determined wireless communication device; and a wireless networking router component placement structure defining a wireless networking router placement location adapted to receive a pre-determined wireless networking router.
14. The method of claim 13, where providing the wireless communication device component placement structure comprises:
- providing multiple individually defined wireless communication device component placement structures within the portable component carrier.
15. The method of claim 14, where providing the multiple wireless communication device component placement structures comprises:
- providing multiple wireless communication device component placement structures sequentially arranged in an array that defines a wireless communication device storage section within the portable component carrier adapted to store multiple instances of the pre-determined wireless communication device.
16. The method of claim 13, where providing the wireless communication device component placement structure comprises:
- providing a depth of the wireless communication device component placement structure that leaves exposed a portion of the pre-determined wireless communication device when the pre-determined wireless communication device is inserted into the individual wireless communication device placement location.
17. The method of claim 16, where providing the portable component carrier comprises:
- providing a first compartment and a second compartment connected together by a hinge; and further comprising:
- locating the wireless communication device component placement structure in the first compartment; and
- providing in the second compartment an opening adapted to receive, when the portable component carrier is closed, the portion of the pre-determined wireless communication device that is exposed.
18. A system comprising:
- a first compartment;
- a second compartment; and
- a coupling between the first compartment and the second compartment that permits the first compartment and the second compartment to close together;
- the first compartment comprising: multiple individual wireless communication device component placement structures sequentially arranged in an array that defines a wireless communication device storage section within the first compartment adapted to store multiple instances of a pre-determined wireless communication device; a speaker component placement structure adjacent to the wireless communication device storage section and defining a speaker placement location adapted to receive a speaker; a cable component placement structure adjacent to speaker component placement structure and defining a cable placement location adapted to receive electrical cables for the pre-determined wireless communication devices; and a charging component placement structure adjacent to at least one of the multiple wireless communication device component placement structures, the speaker component placement structure, and the cable component placement structure, the charging component placement structure defining a charging placement location adapted to receive charging modules, power strips for the charging modules, or both, to facilitate charging for the wireless communication devices; and
- the second compartment comprising: a wireless networking router component placement structure defining a wireless networking router placement location adapted to receive a pre-determined wireless networking router; and a projector component placement structure located underneath the wireless networking router component placement structure, the projector component placement structure defining a projector placement location adapted to receive a video projector.
19. The system of claim 18, where:
- the multiple individual wireless communication device placement structures each have a depth selected to leave exposed a charging port on the pre-determined wireless communication device when the pre-determined wireless communication device is inserted into any of the individual wireless communication device placement structures.
20. The system of claim 18, where:
- the multiple individual wireless communication device placement structures each have a depth selected to leave exposed a portion of the pre-determined wireless communication device when the pre-determined wireless communication device is inserted into any of the individual wireless communication device placement structures; and
- the second compartment further comprises an opening adapted to receive, when the first compartment and second compartment are closed, the portion of the pre-determined wireless communication device that is exposed, for each pre-determined wireless communication device stored in the first compartment.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 20, 2013
Publication Date: Jun 25, 2015
Applicant: Health Care Service Corporation (Chicago, IL)
Inventors: Daniel A. Gierke (Chicago, IL), Don W. DeNeault (Wheaton, IL), Bruce A, Guidotti (Steger, IL), Eva M. McGoey (Chicago, IL), Jesus Herrera (Chicago, IL), Addison McGuffin (Chicago, IL)
Application Number: 14/135,992