Xybernaut has been granted two new patents, one covering an "ergonomic handheld display", the other a "personal communicator" multi-module device.
Wearable electronics company Xybernaut has been granted two new patents on types of electronic device by the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), covering an "ergonomic" handheld display and a "personal communicator" set of devices.
The first patent, U.S. Patent No. 6,757,156, covers an "Ergonomic handheld display", consisting of a flat panel display device with certain features that make it easier to use for long periods. Such features include, for example, two rubber handgrips that wrap partially around the sides of the display device with at least two "tactile ridges". Additional features include the balance of the device and whether or not the screen is touch-sensitive, and the patent covers most possible permutations and combinations of those factors. Although listed as a wearable system, the patent descriptions appear to cover essentially a "tablet PC", or at least many designs of one.
The second patent, U.S. Patent No. 6,757,156, covers a "Personal Communicator", which is actually a multi-part device that "combines the functionality of a cell phone (or mobile phone), a body supported computer and a pager." That is, it consists of a wearable core processing unit combined with detachable communications module and a display module. It is based on a previous patent, 6,085,112, which offers similar components but do not detach. The Xybernaut patent claims the detachability of the components as innovative.
Xybernaut also stated that "monetization" of its patent portfolio is a fundamental priority of the company. What that means, however, is unclear. That could mean developing products based on the aforementioned patents, licensing the patents to other companies, or using them as legal leverage to file suit against companies that offer devices that could be covered by the patent. Xybernaut has also stated that it intends to continue to expand its patent portfolio, especially as related to ergonomics and flexibility of use.
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