GB2483309A - Ruggedised case for electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

A ruggedized protective case consisting of a top and base unit connected by a hinge are mechanically clamped together, such that when closed a waterproof hermetic seal is created. Means to hold a pen and a screen to view or operate an electronic device encased in the box. The Cases may provide a medical grade infection control protection case for any Tablet PC, Mobile Computer or any electronic device, they may be sterilised with infection control sprays or disinfectants and may be sterilised with Autoclave technology. The cases may be used by operators with gloved hands and may use any combination of input including but not limited by: an amplified pen, RFID transfer, Bar code data transfer, direct touch on the screen, data input using a pen, Voice input via a technology called means an operator may talk directly to the flip pad Case and it will transmit voice to text on screen to the electronic device or directly to the command language of the electronic device housed in the case.

Description

Description

Title: Medical Grade Ruggedised Case This invention relates to a Medical Grade or Military Grade Ruggedised case to enclose any Tablet PC, computerised device or any electronic device. Collectively these cases are called FlipPadTM cases. The FlipPadTM cases may be used in any commercial, marine, public sector, voluntary, leisure or industrial environment, the FI1pPadTM cases are not limited to any particular work or leisure activity, any and all applications and environments are included. FI1pPadTM series cases may be designed to provide a medical grade infection control protection case for any Tablet PC, Mobile Computer or any electronic device. The FlipPadTM series cases may be used in operating theatres and environments where infection control standards are required or in any other passive or adverse environmental conditions.

Traditionally Ruggedised cases limit the function of the electronic device that they house. Either by making screens smaller or limiting the operator input or extra weight is added to extend battery life.

Traditionally, design compromises are made to make a vulnerable electronic devices more durable.

FI1pPadTM Cases are designed to enhance the functions and features of the product being protected and not limit them.

Some environments are particularly challenging to the design of a case. In medical operating theatres there are high infection control standards and high demands on the stability and durability of a product. Traditionally designed rugged cases are usually integral to the electronic device they protect.

It is therefore not possible to autoclave the device. This is a medical infection control procedure used on surgical instruments to biologically clean them.

To overcome these problems, FlipPadTM cases may be detached or undocked from the device they protect and the whole case may be autoclaved as an option. This allows the operator to remove and clean the sensitive electronic device housed by the FlipPad case with less harsh treatments. When the FlipPadTM Case has been autoclaved it may be reused with the electronic device and provide and infection controlled exterior ready for operating theatre use or any other environment.

FlipPadTM series cases may be sterilised with infection control sprays or disinfectants and may be sterilised with Autoclave technology. The case is light weight and strong, having similar case strength properties of aluminium and has a unique Rotary Hand Grip that may friction lock at any angle for operator comfort. The FlipPadTM cases may be used by operators with gloved hands and may use any combination of input including but not limited to: an amplified pen, Bar code data transfer, direct touch on the clear screen or FlipPadiM case or, data input via a technology called LasarPen, Voice command input or voice recognition input via a technology called BlueSonicTM where an operator may talk directly to the FlipPad Case and it will transmit voice to text on screen to the electronic device or directly to the command language of the electronic device housed in the FlipPadTM case.

Military versions of the FlipPadTM cases would have higher specifications and features unique to the environmental conditions in which they are expected to operate. Collectively these are called FlipPadTM Military Version and are the subject of separate patents.

FlipPadTM cases may be in many forms. As a Passive Version where the case provides protection from water ingress, dust, sand or adverse climatic conditions. The Active version of the FlipPadTM series may have alternative power sources to drive inbuilt electronics in the case. This may include an RFID reader as an option which may be capable of reading any contactless smartcard technology including but not limited to: NHS Smartcards, Single Sign On Technology and Smartcards, National ID Cards, Contactless Credit Cards, Chip and Pin Credit Cards, Security Cards and Key Fobs. Optional features of FlipPadTM Active Series cases may include, Biometric Identity technology such as Finger Print readers or Optical Eye Readers built into the case.

FIipPadTMP Series Cases are all Passive Versions of the rugged case. FlipPadTMA Series Cases are all Active Versions of the rugged case. Collectively these are referred to as FlipPadT'1 Series Cases and the FlipPadTM name may apply to any and all subsequent designs.

This patent application describes the FlipPadTMP Series Cases in detail. There will be linked references to the FlipPadTMA Series Cases and any other series of case design which may be the subject of a separate Patent applications claiming prior knowledge of FlipPadTM Series Cases.

The principle of the FIipPadTMP Series Cases is the requirement to protect tablet computers, personal computers, telecoms equipment or any portable electronic device from harsh environmental conditions, including but not limited by, protection from ingress of water, dust, dirt, sand. The FIipPadTN Series Case may protect all tablet and portable computer or telecom products from manufactures like AppleTM, HPTM, Fujitsu1M, PanasonicTM, NokialM, LGTM ToshibaTM and Sony1M. This application is not limited to the manufacturers listed. Any supplier of any Tablet Computer, Portable computer or electronic device is included as a device that may be protected by FlipPadTM Series Cases.

The FlipPadTM Case may not be limited in size or shape to any other computer based or electronic device that needs an extra layer of protection.

The FlipPadTM Series Cases have the ability to be disinfected with standard chemical disinfectants.

They also have the ability to be autoclaved. In the UK the standards for Autoclaving medical devices are governed by the British Standards Institute. Greater detail may be found from the BSI LBI/35 committee, "Sterilizers, Autoclaves And Disinfectors1t. The FlipPadTM Series Cases are designed to be detachable or undocked from the Tablet PC or computer and the whole FlipPadTM Case may then be sterilised to NHS standards of infection control.

Although the FlipPadTMP Series Cases and FlipPadTMA Series Cases are not designed for heavy impact resistance. They provide a measure of protection by being waterproof to a depth of 1 meter. They may resist the ingress of dust, dirt, sand, driving rain including other harsh environmental conditions and providing some shock resistance using its internal unique gas or fluid filled protection system.

The FlipPadTMP Series Cases and FIipPadTMA Series Cases both may have a transparent front screen that will slightly amplify any touch screen requirements, this compensates for the screen protection and allows gloved hands to be used to operate the screens with other input options. In addition a unique amplified passive pen design may be tethered to the FlipPadTMP Series Cases (and FIipPadTMA Series Cases as an option), the Amplified Pen may also be electronically tethered through the FlipPadTM Case to the electronic devices protected by it. Other input devices may also be used with the FlipPadTM Case including but not limited to: Bar code data transfer, RFID Transfer, direct touch on the clear screen or case of the FlipPadTM by the input device or by the operator, data input via a technology called LasarPen, Voice command and or voice recognition input via a technology called BlueSonicTM where an operator may talk directly to the FlipPad Case and it will transmit voice to text on screen to the electronic device or directly to the command language of the electronic device housed in the FlipPadTM case.

Other versions of the FlipPadTM case may not have clear front screen but have an input area where an active LasarPen is used by the operator, the input area may be voice activated or voice command driven, or use an optical receiving matrix with an active LasarPen pen.

FlipPadTM Series Cases may be used in a sterilised environment such as an Operating Theatre or clean room environments, FlipPadTM series cases may also be used in environmentally adverse conditions where water, dust, chemicals, sand and other biological elements including radioactive elements are a hazard or in passive environmental conditions where an extra level of physical protection is required.

The Invention will now be described solely by way of example and with references to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 Shows the FlipPadTM case opened in an "A" shape resting on a platform. The clear amplified screen is visible with the amplified pen ejected from the hinge of the FlipPadTM case.

Figure 2 Shows the rear view of the FlipPadTM case open and standing on a platform with a cutaway view looking through the clear screen to show the Rotary Hand Grip.

Figure 3 Shows the rear of the FlipPadTM case when closed and displaying the Rotary Hand Grip showing the two round buttons used to release the friction grip.

Figure 4 Shows the front of the FlipPadTM case when closed with the optional tethered pen ejected from the hinge.

Figure 5 Shows the FlipPad TM case open with the front clear screen detached. It details the deflectable seal and the feed pipe to transport the fluid or gas mixture to the deflectable seal. It also shows a rear view of the Rotary Hand Grip.

Figure 6 Shows The FlipPadTM case closed with the amplified screen visible and the amplified pen/barcode reader ejected from the Hinge.

Figure 7 Shows the actuator used to inflate the deflectable seal with air or a fluid material. It Details the rotary screw and plunger used to force fluid into the deflectable seal.

Figure 8 Shows the optional charging device called the PowerGridDock unit with two FlipPadsTM positioned to dock with the unit.

Figure 9 Shows a cutaway view of the FlipPadTM case detailing the Port Seal mechanism to resist water ingress and the deflectable seal inflated against the front screen of the electronic device.

Figure 10 Shows the Amplified Screen Layer used on the clear front screen of the FlipPadTM Figure 11 Shows the dual interlocked push button clamps used to hold clamp both the front and back of the FlipPadTM Case together.

In Figure 1, a FlipPadTM series case may comprise of a top unit 4 and base unit 1 and may be hinged along one side 2. The Hinge 2 may rotate the top unit freely and then lock in position by a clamp operated by a push button on the hinge 5. There may be corner protection pads to reduce the impact of being dropped on its corner 6. There may be a pen device 3 that may be housed and ejected from the hinge 2. Access to internal switches of the electronic device may be via membrane covered panels 7. The Top unit 4 may contain an amplified clear screen 8 to allow operator input.

In Figure 2 a FlipPadTM case may comprise of a base unit 3 with a Rotary Hand Grip 2 with two push buttons 4,5 that operate the rotary clamp, the Rotary Hand Grip also shows the hand strap 6 which would position over the back of the operators hand. The Clear amplified screen 2 is shown with a section cut out to view the Rotary Hand Grip. The Clear amplified screen 2 would normally cover the top unit. The Pen unit 7 is shown fully inserted in hinge cylinder 8. The Pen unit may be ejected by depressing the pen against a sprung loaded ejector housed in the hollow cylinder of the hinge 8.

In Figure 3 the base unit 8 is shown with the Rotary Hand Grip 1. There are four indentations in the Rotary Hand Grip 6 to allow the operator to rest four fingers on the indentations. There are two push buttons 3,4 that operate the rotary clamp. Both push buttons need to be depressed to operate the release/clamp mechanism. The hand Strap 5 rests across the back of the operators hand. Detail of the corner protection pads are visible 7. The base unit holds the two interlocked push buttons 2,9 both need to be pressed by the operators thumbs to release the base unit 8 from the top unit.

In Figure 4 the top unit 1 is clamped to the base unit. The pen unit 2 is shown ejected from hinge 3 on an optional coiled tether 4.

Figure 5 shows the base unit 3 with the deflectable seal 1 surrounding the electronic device. The deflectable seal may be inflated via a fluid or gas though an internal feed pipe 2 on the hinge. Also shown is a cut away view of the Rotary Hand Grip clamp mechanism with the central spindle 4 mounted on the base unit of the FlipPadTM case. The central spindle my be mounted via an air bearing or any other mechanical device to allow free rotary movement. The Push buttons 5,6 may depress a spring loaded material fixed on anchor point 7. Pads 8,9 may use friction or mechanically or by any other means clamp to the anchor ring 10. The Rotary Hand Grip is clamped by default and may only run freely when both push buttons 5,6 are depressed. A small slot or mechanism may be added to the centre circumference of the anchor ring 10 to allow free movement of the push buttons 5,6 around the ring.

Figure 6 shows the top unit 1 with the clear amplified screen visible 4 and the two interlocked thumb operated push button release clamps 2,3. The amplified pen 5 is visible ejected from the hinge 6.

Figure 7 shows a sectioned view of the hinge. It may be hollow to hold the amplified pen/bar code reader or LasarPen 4. The internal pipe is threaded to a fixed section 2 on the hinge. When the Top unit is rotated shut the screw thread is driven against fluid or gas compartment 1. The fluid or gas is forced under pressure down internal pipe 3 to the flexible seal on the base unit described in figure 5.

The push button 5 acts on the internal pipe to clamp it when released. The hinge will rotate freely when push button 5 is depressed.

Figure 8 shows an optional charging unit called PowerGridDock four FlipPadTM units can be charged at the same time via s standard IEC connector 1. FlipPadM unit 2 by example is slotted in for charging.

The charging process may be via inductive, electromagnetic wave transmission or direct electrical contact. The FlipPadTM units do not commence charging until they have been fully depressed into the slot.

Figure 9 shows a sectioned view of the FlipPadTM case with the Port Seal 3 over the electronic device port 2. The Shape of the port seal ensure that greater pressure on the case will induce tighter fit of the port seal. The electronic device in this view is a Tablet computer 1 however any electronic device may use the port seal mechanism. The flexible seal 5 is shown inflated by the fluid or gas mixture passed around the seal via channel 4. Channel 4 is connected to internal pipe described in figure 5, 3.

Figure 10 shows a small section of the amplified screen 4 with the operator finger 2 over the screen.

Normal touch screens operate by a electromagnetic, thermal,optical or capacitive disturbance. The amplified coating layer 1 may enhance the electromagnetic field, thermal, optical field or capacitive disturbance 3 Figure 11 shows a condensed and cut away view of the base unit feet with the interlocked thumb operated push buttons 1 visible. The Push buttons may drive a sprung loaded pin 2 which forces open two deflectable shaped anchor points 4,6 which releases the top unit lid from the base unit. The striker block 3 stops the pin 2 from being depressed too much.

Figure 12 is a side on view of one of the two the internal anchor points used to hold the top lid to the base unit. It can be seen that the shape of the pin and anchor point will deflect it when the pin is pushed against the striker block 3.