DETACHABLE IMPACT PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR PORTABLE DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM

Abstract

A detachable protection system for protecting a data processing system under rough operation environment. The system includes a housing having a surface for supporting the data processing system, a securing device, disposed on the housing, configured to detachably secure the data processing system when the data processing system is supported by the surface, and a handgrip device disposed on each of two opposite sides of the housing. The parts of the protection system are made of materials that provide shock protection to the data processing system by means of elasticity, shape deformation and/or shock absorbance and deflection

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

This application relates to a co-pending patent application Ser. No. ______ (attorney docket No. 66396-0390), entitled DETACHABLE INTERFACE DEVICE FOR POWERING PORTABLE DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM USING A VEHICLE DIAGNOSTIC PORT, filed concurrently herewith.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to techniques and equipment for protecting portable data processing systems.

BACKGROUND

Portable data processing systems, such as tablet PCs or notebook computers, are widely utilized in measuring, testing and/or diagnosing a wide range of vehicle conditions. Signals from vehicles and/or other sources, like other diagnostic systems, are input to these data processing systems for further analysis. For instance, a vehicle compliant with OBD (on-board diagnostics) standard would be equipped with a signal port, such as an OBD II port, for outputting self-diagnostic information performed by an on-board computer on the vehicle. The self-diagnostic information may be used by a notebook computer with an appropriate vehicle interface circuit and software to perform vehicle diagnostics.

As these computers often are used in rough environments such as garages or vehicle maintenance centers where the computers occasionally are dropped or collide with vehicles or other equipment. The impacts from the drops or collisions often damage the computer systems and render the computer systems unusable.

Accordingly, it is desirable to protect computer systems from impacts caused by the occasional collisions or drops. It is also beneficial to have a protection system that is detachable from computer systems such that the size and weight of the computer systems can be reduced when the computer do not require impact protections.

SUMMARY

This disclosure describes embodiments of a detachable protection system that provides impact protection to portable data processing systems operating under rough conditions.

An exemplary protection system includes a housing having a surface for supporting a data processing system and a securing device, such as a latch, configured to secure the data processing system when the data processing system is supported by the surface. The surface of the housing may form a depth sufficient for receiving the data processing system. In one aspect, four corner guards are disposed at four corners of the housing. The corner guards may assume various shapes and form a cushioning wall for four corners of the data processing system when the data processing system is supported by the surface. In another aspect, the housing includes two handles or handgrips disposed on two opposite sides of the protection system. In one embodiment, each handle or handgrip may include an arched or contoured body. At least one end of each handle or handgrip may be movably or pivotally mounted to the housing, such that the handle or handgrip moves or shifts relative to the housing when the handle or handgrip is subject to an applied force.

The parts of the protection system are made of materials that provide shock protection to the protection system and the portable data processing system by means of elasticity, shape deformation and/or shock absorbance and deflection. Examples of materials for implementing the parts of the protection system include spring steel coated or overmolded with rubber, semi-flexible plastics such as Nylon, Polyethylene, PVC, etc., elastomeric (rubber-like) materials such as TPE, neoprene or EPDM, etc., and metals such as spring tempered steel or stainless steel, heat treated aluminum, spring tempered brass, beryllium copper or phosphor bronze in various forms or shapes, such as in strip or wire form. These materials could be in solid or foam rubber form. The parts may have a coating applied thereto by dipping or spraying with a flexible material such as plastisol PVC.

According to one embodiment, an exemplary protection system includes a first connector and a second connector. The first connector and the second connector are disposed on the housing. The first connector is configured to detachably couple to a signal port, such as a vehicle diagnostic port, to form signal communications between the protection system and the signal port. The second connector is configured to detachably couple to a docking connector of the data processing system, to form signal communications between the protection system and the data processing system.

According to another embodiment, the protection system is implemented as an interface device that supplies power to a data processing system using an output of a vehicle diagnostic port, such as an OBD II connector, that outputs self-diagnostic information.

Additional objects, advantages and novel features will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following and the accompanying drawings or may be learned by production or operation of the examples. The objects and advantages of the present teachings may be realized and attained by practice or use of the methodologies, instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present teachings, by way of example only, not by way of limitations. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary protection system.

FIG. 2 shows a notebook computer connected with the protection system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A is the bottom view of the protection system illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3B shows a variation of a handle design that shifts relative to the body of the protection system when the handle is subject to an applied force.

FIGS. 4A-4E depict details of an exemplary latch assembly useable in the protection system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a schematic circuit diagram of an exemplary protection system implemented as a power supply interface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth by way of examples in order to provide a thorough understanding of the relevant teachings. However, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present teachings may be practiced without such details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components, and circuitry have been described at a relatively high-level, without detail, in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the present teachings.

The section describes embodiments of detachable protection systems for protecting and powering a data processing system.

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary protection system 100 configured to connect to a notebook computer external to a vehicle, for performing vehicle diagnostics. FIG. 2 shows the protection system 100, external to the vehicle, with an attached notebook computer 200. The protection system 100 provides shock protection to the notebook computer 200, and interfaces between the notebook computer 200 and a vehicle diagnostic port, such as an OBD-II (on-board diagnostic) connector, that outputs self-diagnostic information, and at the same time supplies power to the notebook computer 200 utilizing the output of the vehicle diagnostic port.

On-Board Diagnostics, or OBD, refers to a vehicle's self-diagnostic and reporting capability. A vehicle compliant to OBD standards includes an on-board diagnostic system that performs self-diagnosis and allows a repair technician access to the state of health information via a standardized diagnostic port. In some cases, diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) are provided through the standardized diagnostic port to indicate operation conditions of various subsystems of a vehicle. The OBD-II standard is a type of OBD standard that specifies the type of diagnostic connector, its pinout and the available electrical signaling protocols, and the messaging format. The OBD-II specification provides for a standardized hardware interface: a female 16-pin (2×8) J1962 connector, called an OBD II connector, for outputting DTCs. Under the OBD-II standard, pin 16 is dedicated to a battery output (ranging from +9 volt to +16 volt) supplied by a vehicle battery, and pin 4 is provided for chassis ground and is the negative power connection to the vehicle. Embodiments of this disclosure utilize the vehicle power included in the output of the vehicle diagnostic port to power a data processing system and relay diagnostic information output by the vehicle diagnostic port to the data processing system for performing vehicle diagnostics. While there are numerous variations in vehicle diagnostic port standards, it is understood that as long as the output of the vehicle diagnostic port includes vehicle power supplied by a vehicle battery and/or alternator, concepts disclosed in this disclosure could be utilized to provide power to any system that requires electricity for operation.

As shown in FIG. 1, the protection system 100 includes a housing having a surface 102 for supporting the notebook computer 200 and two handles 112, 114 attached to the body of the protection system 100, to be held or gripped by the user when operating the notebook computer 200. It is understood that the handles 112, 114 may assume various shapes, such as having straight, flat, curved, contoured or arched outlines.

A securing device, such as a latch assembly 120, is provided for securing the notebook computer 200 when it is supported by the surface 102. It is understood that the securing device may be implemented using means well known to people skilled in the art, such as Velcro belts, securing tabs, securing bars or locks, etc. The protection system 100 includes a system connector 130 disposed on the surface 102 for connecting to a matching docking connector disposed on the notebook computer 200, for forming signal communications between the protection system 100 and the notebook computer 200. Two securing walls disposed on the sides of the surface 102, such as securing brackets 124, provide side support to the notebook computer 200, and two locating pins 126 matching openings disposed on the notebook computer 200 are provided to assist securing the notebook computer 200. Four corner guards 140-143, protruding from four corners of the protection system 100, provide a barrier or cushioning wall for protecting corners of the notebook computer 200 in case the notebook computer 200 and protection system 100 are dropped on a hard surface. It is understood that the corner guards 140-143 may assume various shapes and/or forms, such as flat tabs, round, triangular, rectangular poles or posts, strips, wire forms, solid or foam, etc. or any combination thereof.

The parts of the protection system 100 are made of materials that provide shock protection to the notebook computer 200 by means of elasticity, shape deformation and/or shock absorbance and deflection. Examples of materials for implementing the parts of the protection system 100 include spring steel coated or overmolded with rubber, semi-flexible plastics such as Nylon, Polyethylene, PVC, etc., elastomeric (rubber-like) materials such as TPE, neoprene or EPDM, etc., and metals such as spring tempered steel or stainless steel, heat treated aluminum, spring tempered brass, beryllium copper or phosphor bronze in various forms or shapes, such as in strip or wire form, or any combinations thereof. These materials could be in solid or foam rubber form. The parts may have a coating applied thereto by dipping or spraying with a flexible material such as plastisol PVC.

In one embodiment, the parts of the protection system 100 provide a two-stage impact protection. In the first stage of protection, an impact force is deflected by the protection system 100 by way of elastisity of the parts. If the impact force is significant and cannot be completely deflected, the impact force is further absorbed by the parts of the protection system 100 by deformation of the parts, which provides the second stage of protection. The deformation of the parts of the protection system 100 reduces the impact force being transmitted to the notebook computer 200. For instance, if the parts are made of spring steel coated or overmolded with rubber, the parts avoid the lower impact forces being transmitted to the notebook computer 200 by way of deflection provided by the elastisity of the rubber and the spring steel. In this protection stage, the spring steel parts are not stressed beyond their yield point and will spring back to their original shape. When the protection system 100 is subjected to higher impact forces, the parts will absorb the force by deflecting and then deforming. The spring steel parts will be stressed beyond their yield point and will be deformed. They can then be returned to their original shape by bending them back by hand.

The use of shock absorbing and/or deflecting materials in combination with the unique shape and construction of the handles 112, 114 and corner guards 140-143 protect both the protection system 100 and the notebook computer 200 from impact damages if they are dropped onto a hard surface. The elasticity and shape deformation provided by the protection system 100 allows the shock force to be transformed to heat or other types of energy, and deflected from the notebook computer 200. For instance, when the protection system 100 and notebook computer 200 are dropped, it is the handles 112, 114, edges or sides of the protection system 100, and/or the corner guards 140-143 that come into contact with hard surface first, instead of the notebook computer 200. In addition, as the parts of the protection system 100 are made of materials that would provide shock absorbance and/or shock deflection through shape deformation, the drop would not impact the notebook computer 200 directly. Moreover, the elasticity of the handles 113, 114 and/or the corner guards 140-143 allow the protection system 100 and the notebook computer 100 to bounce, which reduces the impact energy being transmitted to the notebook computer 200.

FIG. 3A shows the bottom view of the protection system 100 illustrated in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 3A, the handles 112, 114 are pivotally attached to the body of the protection system 100 with hinges 161-164. When the protection system 100 is dropped and one of the handles is subject to a shock force indicated by an arrow F in FIG. 3A, the elasticity of the handle allows the handle to deform, to absorb or deflect the force. In addition, the hinges attached to the handles further encourage or promote deformation and/or shifting movement of the handles towards the directions indicated by the arrows D in FIG. 3A, to assist absorbance or deflection of the shock force. In one embodiment, a handle includes only one hinge for pivotally attaching to the body of the protection system 100.

FIG. 3B depicts a variation of handle design that provides relative movement between the handle and the body of the protection system 100. For simplicity of illustration, only the handle 112′ and the bottom of the protection system 100 are shown. The handle 112′ is slidebaly attached to the body of the protection system 100 via a combination of handle openings 165 and poles 161′, 162′ disposed on the bottom surface of the protection system 100. When the handle is subject to an applied force F, the handle 112′ glides relative to the poles 161′, 162′ in the directions shown by arrows D, within the confinement of the openings 165. The combination of the gliding movement and deformation of the handle 112′ renders allows the handle to absorb and/or deflect the impact force.

FIGS. 4A-4E illustrate details and the operation of the latch assembly 120. The latch assembly 120 includes actuator pins 121, securing latches 122 and release buttons 123. The actuator pins 121, the securing latches 122 and the release buttons 123 are linked to, and move with, a frame 128 that can rock back and forth relative to an axis. A detailed view of the linkage between the frame 128, the actuator pins 121 and the securing latches 122 is shown in FIG. 4B.

In FIG. 4A, the latch assembly 120 is operating in a disengaging mode where the portable computer 200 is not yet supported by the protection system 100 and engaged by the latch assembly 120. As shown in FIG. 4A, the actuator pins 121, the securing latches 122, the release buttons 123 and the frame 128 are tilting upward at an angle.

FIG. 4C shows the latch assembly 120 operating in an engaging mode for securing the notebook computer 200 on the protection system 100. For simplicity of illustration, the portable computer 200 is omitted from FIG. 4B. To attach the notebook computer 200 to the protection system 100, the user glides the notebook computer 200 along the surface 102 toward the securing brackets 124. Once the end of the notebook computer 200 touches the securing brackets 124, the user presses down the notebook computer 200 onto the surface 102. The docking connector and openings disposed on the bottom surface of the notebook computer 200 connect to the system connector 130 and the locating pins 126, respectively. The notebook computer 200 has two openings on the bottom surface corresponding to the two actuator pins 121, and two openings on the side surface corresponding to the securing latches 122. When the user presses down the notebook computer 200 onto the surface 102, the openings on the bottom surface engage with the actuator pins 121, and the notebook computer 200 presses down the tilted actuator pins 121 and the frame 128 toward the surface 102 of the protection system 100. Due to this downward pressing movement, the frame 128 rotates relative to a fixed axis, causing the securing latches 122 linking to the frame 128 to move forward toward the side surface of the notebook computer 200 and insert into the corresponding openings disposed on the side surface of the notebook computer 200.

FIG. 4D depicts different perspective views and magnifying view of partial parts of the latch assembly 120, specifically, the frame 128, the actuator pins 121, the securing latches 122 and the release buttons 123. As shown in FIG. 4D, the latch assembly 120 includes a tension coil spring 125 having one end attached to the body of the protection system 100 and the other end attached to the frame 128. The rotation of the frame 128 stretches the tension coil spring 125, which is then locked in place by a stopper 129. The engagements of the actuator pins 121, the locating pins 126 and the securing latches 122 with corresponding openings on the notebook computer 200, as well as the securing brackets 124, allow the protection system 100 to securely attach to the notebook computer 200, as shown in FIG. 4E.

When the user wants to detach the notebook computer 200 from the protection system 100, the user simply presses the release buttons 123 which releases the stopper 129 to unlock the stretched spring 125. The released spring 125 pulls down the frame 128 to revert to its position in the disengaging mode where it tilts upward by the pulling force provided by the spring 125. The combination of the force from the spring 125 and the tilting movements of the frame 128 and the actuator pins 121 push up the notebook computer 200 from the surface 102 of the protection system 100. At the same time, the pushing-up motion by the tilting frame 128 separates the securing latches 122, the locating pins 126, and the system connector 130 from the corresponding openings and connector on the portable computer 200.

As discussed earlier, the protection system 100 is configured to power the notebook computer 200 using an output of a vehicle diagnostic port, such as an OBD II connector, that outputs self-diagnostic information. FIG. 5 is a schematic circuit diagram of the protection system 100 shown in FIG. 1. As depicted in FIG. 5, the protection system 100 includes a system connector 130 for connecting to a matching docking connector 240 disposed on the notebook computer 200 when the notebook computer 200 is docked on the protection system 100. The docking connector 240 and the system connector 130 form a signal path between the protection system 100 and the notebook computer 200. A vehicle input connector 412 is provided for connecting to an OBD II connector 462 disposed on a vehicle 460, via an OBD II data cable 466. The vehicle 460 further includes one or more DC output connector 464, such as a cigarette lighter connector or a 12 volt output connector that are commonly available on many vehicle. In one embodiment, the protection system 100 includes a vehicle power input connector 415 for receiving power from a vehicle power connector other than the OBD II connector 462.

In one embodiment, the protection system 100 provides an AC connector 414 for receiving power from an external AC source 451, such as a regular AC power outlet or an alternator output of the vehicle. The power supplied by the external AC source 451 may be converted to DC power by an adapter external to the protection system 100 or a power converter circuit internal to the protection system 100. The protection system 100 may include a battery back 413 to provide DC power to the protection system 100 and/or to the notebook computer 200.

A power converter 411 is provided to process power inputs from the AC connector 414, the battery 413, the vehicle input connector 412 and/or the vehicle power input connector 415, and generate a power output signal, such as an output voltage 403, suitable for powering the notebook computer 200. For instance, the DC voltage from pin 16 of the OBD II connector 462 has a range between +9 volt and +16 volt. The power converter 411 is a DC-to-DC converter that converts the DC voltage from the OBD II connector 462 to a +16 volt DC output which is suitable for powering the notebook computer 200. In another embodiment, the power converter 411 includes an AC-to-DC converter that converts an AC power signal to a DC signal that is appropriate for use by the notebook computer 200. The output voltage 403 is routed to the system connector 130 for relaying to the notebook computer 200 via the connection of the system connector 130 and the docking connector 240 on the notebook computer 200. The system connector 130 and the docking connector 240 on the notebook computer specifically define a power supply pin or port, such that the output voltage 403 is properly routed to appropriate circuit in the notebook computer 200 for powering the notebook computer 200 and/or charging a battery disposed in the notebook computer 200. Power converters suitable for implementing the power conversion herein may be obtained from Lind Electronics of Minneapolis, Minn.

The protection system 100 includes a protection circuit to prevent situations where the notebook computer 200 is drawing excessive current from the vehicle, which might damage parts and/or circuits of the vehicle. The protection circuit includes a current sensor that continuously monitors a current drawn by the notebook computer 200 from the OBD II connector 462 or a current being supplied to the notebook computer 200. A microcontroller may be provided to determine whether the detected current exceeds a safety threshold. If such safety threshold is exceeded, the microcontroller issues a control signal to terminate supplying power from the OBD II connector 462 to the notebook computer 200. For instance, a switch may be provided to decouple the output voltage 403 from the system connector 130, such that the output voltage 403 ceases to power the notebook computer 200. Once the detected current drops below the safety threshold, the microcontroller issues another control signal to reengage the output voltage 403 with the system connector 130. This protection circuit may be implemented as part of the power converter 411 or as a separate circuit disposed on a circuit board disposed in the housing of the protection system 100. It is understood that other variations of circuit design other than those described herein may be used to implement the protection circuit.

Generally, the communications protocols supported by OBD are not compatible to various standards adopted the notebook computer 200. The protection system 100 includes a vehicle interface module (VIM) 401 for converting diagnostic signals output by the OBD II connector 462 to a protocol supported by the notebook computer 200, such as the USB standard, and enabling communications between the notebook computer 200 and electronic control units (ECUs) on the vehicle 460, such that diagnostic information, like DTCs, can be recognized and/or processed by the notebook computer 200, and commands issued by the notebook computer 200 can be recognized by the ECUs on the vehicle. In one embodiment, the vehicle interface module is external to the protection system 100 and is powered by a DC output from the protection system 100. The power may be provided by the battery 413 or by the OBD II connector 462.

While the foregoing has described what are considered to be the best mode and/or other examples, it is understood that various modifications may be made therein and that the subject matter disclosed herein may be implemented in various forms and examples, and that the teachings may be applied in numerous applications, only some of which have been described herein. It is intended by the following claims to claim any and all applications, modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the present teachings.

Claims

1. A detachable protection system for protecting a data processing system, the protection system comprising:

a housing having a surface for supporting the data processing system;

a securing device, disposed on the housing, configured to detachably secure the data processing system when the data processing system is supported by the surface; and

a handgrip device disposed on each of two opposite sides of the housing.

2. The protection system of claim 1 further comprising four corner guards disposed at four corners of the housing, wherein the corner guards form a cushioning wall for four corners of the data processing system when the data processing system is supported by the surface.

3. The protection system of claim 1, wherein at least one end of each handgrip device is movable relative to the housing.

4. The protection system of claim 3, wherein at least one end of each handgrip device is pivotally or slideably mounted to the housing via a hinge device.

5. The protection system of claim 1, wherein the housing and each handgrip device are made of an elastic material.

6. The protection system of claim 1, wherein the housing and each hand grip device are made of spring steel coated with rubber, semi-flexible plastics, Nylon, Polyethylene, PVC, elastomeric materials, TPE, neoprene, EPDM, metals, spring tempered steel, stainless steel, heat treated aluminum, spring tempered brass, beryllium copper or phosphor bronze.

7. The protection system of claim 1, wherein the housing and each handgrip device absorb a lower impact force by deflection and spring back to their original shape, and absorb a higher impact force by deflection and deformation.

8. The protection system of claim 1, wherein the surface of the housing forms a depth for receiving the data processing system.

9. A detachable protection system for protecting a data processing system, the protection system comprising:

housing means for supporting the data processing system;

means for detachably securing the data processing system when the data processing system is supported by the housing; and

handgrip means, disposed on each of two opposite sides of the housing means, for being held by a user for operating the protection system.

10. The protection system of claim 9 further comprising corner guarding means for forming a cushioning wall for four corners of the data processing system when the data processing system is supported by the protection system.

11. The protection system of claim 9, wherein at least one end of the handgrip means is movable relative to the housing.

12. The protection system of claim 11, wherein at least one end of each handgrip means is pivotally or slideably mounted to the housing means via a hinge device.

13. The protection system of claim 9, wherein the housing means and the handgrip means are made of an elastic material.

14. The protection system of claim 9, wherein the housing means and the handgrip means are made of spring steel coated with rubber, semi-flexible plastics, Nylon, Polyethylene, PVC, elastomeric materials, TPE, neoprene, EPDM, metals, spring tempered steel, stainless steel, heat treated aluminum, spring tempered brass, beryllium copper or phosphor bronze.