Patent Application
20050193820
The present invention relates to handheld devices. In particular, devices for assessing or preventing damage are integrated in a handheld electronics device.
Active electronics devices may be harmed by shock. For example, a user of a cell phone or personal data assistant drops the handheld electronics onto a concrete or other hard surface. Damage caused may be visible, such as harming an LCD or other display, or may not be visible. Likewise, mechanical devices on a handheld electronics device may be injured due to shock, such as breaking an antenna on a cell phone. Broken or malfunctioning handheld electronics may be returned for repair. To assess payment under warranty, the type of damage, such as by the user rather than a defect in manufacture, may be important. However, determining the cause of damage may be difficult in some situations. Knowing the typical extent of shock or other source of damage may allow for product improvements to better protect handheld electronics.
Detecting a possibility of damage may also allow avoidance of damage. For example, laptop computers have an accelerometer to detect a drop of laptop computer. In response to the detected drop and prior to any shock, the read/write head of a hard disc drive is locked into a safe position.
Shock sensors are used to assess shipping damage. A shock sensor is positioned on packaging or in a shipping container with products. Upon receipt of the container or products and packaging, the shock sensor is used to verify whether the products were exposed to excessive shock.
By way of introduction, the preferred embodiments described below include methods and systems for detecting damage risk or preventing damage in handheld electronics devices. To detect damage risk, a shock sensor is positioned in a handheld electronics device, such as on or within a housing of the electronics device. Through a display, communication or other mechanism, shock information is provided to assess a type or amount of damage to a product.
For preventing damage in a handheld electronics device, a drop is detected within the handheld electronics device. In response to the detected drop, a component within the handheld electronics device is positioned. For example, the component is moved from a position of risk during a shock to a position of lesser risk during a shock.
In one embodiment, the handheld electronics device is free of mechanical connection to other devices, such as a cell phone, a personal digital assistant, a CD player, a tape player, a radio or other device of handheld size that is carryable or worn by a person. In other embodiments, the handheld electronics device connects through a cable or other mechanical connection to other devices, such as a transducer probe used in medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging.
In one aspect, an ultrasound transducer probe for detecting damage risk or preventing damage is provided. A probe housing at least partially houses a transducer array. A motion sensor is operable to detect one of a shock and a drop of the probe housing. The motion sensor is in the probe housing.
In a second aspect, a system for detecting damage risk or preventing damage in a handheld electronics device is provided. A housing at least partially encloses the handheld electronics device. A motion sensor is in the housing. The motion sensor is operable to detect one of a shock and a drop of the handheld electronics device.
In a third aspect, a method for detecting damage risk in a handheld electronics device is provided. Shock is detected from within the handheld electronics device. The detected shock is then indicated.
In a fourth aspect, a method for preventing damage in a handheld electronics device is provided. A drop is detected from within the handheld electronics device. A component is positioned in response to the detected drop.
The present invention is defined by the following claims, and nothing in this section should be taken as a limitation on those claims. Further aspects and advantages of the invention are discussed below in conjunction with the preferred embodiments. The aspects above or other disclosure herein may be used independently and later claimed independently or in combination.
The components and the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.
Handheld electronics devices, such as transducer probes with active electronics, may be susceptible to damage from sudden shocks. To detect shock damage that has previously occurred for verifying warranty information or for adapting designs to avoid damage, a motion sensor is provided in the handheld electronics device. For preventing damage, a motion sensor in the handheld electronics device detects that the device has been dropped. In response to the detected drop, a device is positioned to minimize damage before the impact. For example, a transducer within a wobbler transducer probe is positioned to a side location rather than a more damage prone center location.
The handheld electronics device 12 is a transducer probe housing a transducer array, a cellular telephone, a personal digital data assistant, a music player, a camera, a digital camera, a remote control or other now known or later developed handheld electronics device. Devices having telephone or personal data assistant capabilities may only have these capabilities or may be combined with other electronics capabilities, such as a cellular phone having telephone and personal data assistant capabilities. Handheld electronics devices include devices sized or adapted to be held by an adult or child. Larger devices, such as laptops, are provided for mobility but without a handheld sizing. For example,
The handheld electronics device 12 of
The active electronics 20 include transistors, analog devices, digital devices, application specific integrated circuits, processors, displays, or other now known or later developed electronics. For example, one or more circuit boards, semiconductor chips or processors are provided for transmitting and receiving radio or other signals. As another example, the active electronics 20 include a memory and associated software on a processor for providing time, calendar, contact or other information.
As yet another example shown by
In yet another example shown in
The housing 22 is rigid or flexible plastic, metal, glass, polymer, wood, synthetic material, resin or other now known or later developed materials for housing electronics. The housing 22 at least partially encloses the handheld electronics device 12. For example, the housing 22 entirely encloses the handheld electronics device 12 using plastic and glass, a single material or other combinations of materials. One or more ports, connectors, control buttons, knobs or other devices may be provided on the housing 22. In one embodiment, the housing 22 is adapted for being held in a hand, such as having a curved or other ergonomic shaping. The nature of the use or active electronics 20 may dictate the size and shape of the housing 22 as well, such as a CD player being shaped to house a compact disc or a cellular telephone being shaped to receive acoustic signals from a mouth and transmit acoustic signals to an ear.
In the embodiments shown in
The motion sensor 18 is operable to detect one of a shock and a drop of the handheld electronics device 12. The motion sensor 18 is in the housing 22. For example, the motion sensor is within a volume at least partially or entirely enclosed by the housing 22. In this embodiment, the motion sensor 18 is connected with an interior portion of the housing 22, integrated with other electronics positioned within the volume of space within the housing 22 or is a separate device positioned within the volume of space. As another example, the motion sensor 18 is integrated on the housing. For example, the motion sensor 18 is connected to an outside of the housing 22, formed as part of the housing 22 or positioned within a hole, divot or aperture of the housing 22. The word “on” is intended broadly to include the examples given above.
In one embodiment shown in
Any number of accelerometers may be used. For example, three miniature accelerometers are provided in any convenient space, but mounted in mutually perpendicular orientations. These components are interrogated by the ultrasound system or within the transducer probe in a dynamic mode, i.e., streaming acceleration data are processed continuously, and FIFO buffered for some fraction of a second. The timing and processing functions can be performed in software mounted in a standard ultrasound system.
In other embodiments, the motion sensor 18 is a shock sensor. Any of various now known or later developed shock sensors may be used, such as multi-sensors, accelerometers, multiple axis accelerometers, or dual axis accelerometers fabricated on with a submicron CMOS process (e.g., MEMs based device with or without an integrated circuit). In one embodiment, the shock sensor is a tape that is operable to change color in response to acceleration. Other passive sensors using no or little power may be used. Acceleration includes both increases as well as decreases in acceleration. For example, the deceleration associated with the handheld electronics device 12 contacting a table, floor or other structure causes a rapid deceleration. In response to a threshold amount of acceleration, the tape changes color. In other embodiments, the shock sensor is an accelerometer or other device for outputting information in response to a threshold amount of acceleration.
The shock sensors are operable to output an indication of previously experienced acceleration. For example, a tape outputs a color indication. As another example, output electrical signals or data are saved or otherwise electrically communicated to the processor 14. Any of various acceleration parameters may be provided by the shock sensor. Different shock sensors may provide different information.
The processor 14 is a general processor, a digital signal processor, an application specific integrated circuit, digital logic device, an analog processor or other now known or later developed processing device. In one embodiment, the processor 14 is connectable but remote from the handheld electronics device 12. For example, the processor 14 is operable to receive or query sensed motion data. Any of various acceleration parameters or other motion information is provided to the processor 14. In other embodiments, the processor 14 is part of or in the handheld electronics device 12. The processor 14 may communicate with other processors or generate a display on the handheld electronics device 12 or on a device separate from the handheld electronics device 12.
In one embodiment, the motion sensor 18 in conjunction with the processor 14 and an associated memory are operable to record the maximum acceleration, an acceleration history (acceleration as a function of time), the number of times acceleration exceeded a certain threshold value, other now known or later developed acceleration parameters or combinations thereof. The processor 14 or the associated memory is electronically interrogated or provides the acceleration parameter or parameters. Acceleration information may be used to determine whether the handheld electronics device 12 was subjected to dropping, hitting or other damage different than manufacturing defects. The information may be used to determine whether a warranty has been satisfied or to determine the need for additional protection or different design of the handheld electronics device 12.
In the embodiment shown in
The detection software overrides the scanning protocol and parks the transducer array 24. In response to a near zero-gravity signal or other acceleration associated with the likelihood of damage, the wobbler drive 26 positions the transducer array 24 in response to the detected drop or likely damage. For example, the transducer array 24 is moved from a center position shown in solid lines to a position associated with the endpoints of its sweep, such as shown by the dashed lines. In another embodiment, the transducer array 24 is designed with a dock at one or both ends of the array travel, which enclose and brace the array against impact. The transducer array 24 is kept docked when the wobbler is not scanning or docked in response to detected motion. If the array 24 is currently being used, the movement may be provided in a span of a hundred or a few hundreds of milliseconds. As a result, the transducer array 24 is less likely to be damaged if an exterior lens cap is dented or otherwise contacts a surface during a drop. The user may then manually reset the transducer before continuing, answering a prompt to inspect for damage before proceeding. Even if the lens cap is dented or otherwise renders the transducer array 24 inoperable, the amount of damage may be minimized. Lens caps are typically designed for easy replacement, allowing inexpensive refurbishment as long as the underlying transducer array 24, the drive 26 or other electronics are not damaged.
In one embodiment, a device, such as the transducer array 24 of a wobbler transducer, is provided with a bay, location or other region of increased or added protection. For example, an area associated with shock absorption or a more dense protective coating or housing is provided. In response to the detected drop, the component is positioned within the bay or region to further increase the protection.
In alternative embodiments, structures other than the transducer array 24 or other ultrasound probe related components are positioned for protection in response to a detected drop. In one embodiment, both positioning as well as recording a history of acceleration is provided. As a result, information for future designs to avoid damage is provided as well as an attempt at avoiding the damage in response to a current shock.
The display 16 is an LED, LCD, CRT, projector, dial, mechanical device, electrical device, visual indication (e.g. color of a substance), chemical device or other now known or later developed displays. For example, the display 16 is the color of the color-changing shock sensor tape. As another example, the display 16 is a CRT or LCD monitor associated with the processor 14 separate from the handheld electronics device 12. As yet another example, the display 16 is an LCD, LED or other display provided on the handheld electronics device 12 for use as an indicator of the shock sensor or for a display having multiple uses. In one embodiment, the display outputs an indication of previous acceleration or shock, such as a bar graph, a date of maximum shock, an amplitude of maximum shock or other information. The output is provided in response to input by a user or a secure input by a manufacturer or other restricted source. Alternatively, the display outputs previously recorded information on an ongoing or continuous basis.
In one embodiment, the display is activated by detection of the shock by the shock sensor. For example, a color change of the color-changing shock sensor is activated. As another example, a warning light is activated in response to a sensed shock. A warning light, audio or visual display may be provided to indicate that a handheld electronics device 12 should be serviced due to excessive shock.
In the embodiments shown in
In act 42, a shock is detected from within a handheld electronics device. The shock is from any source of contact or acceleration without contact. For example, the user shakes the handheld device, resulting in a shock from rapid acceleration. The shock is detected with a motion sensor within or on a housing of the handheld electronics device. Any of various levels of shocks may be detected, including detecting different levels of shock.
In act 44, the detected shock is indicated. For example, a display generates an indication of a shock. Using electrical, chemical or mechanical activation, the shock is indicated. The shock is indicated at the time of occurrence, shortly after the time of occurrence, or at a much later time. For example, the shock is indicated in response to formation of a communications link, an inquiry or other triggering event. In one embodiment, the shock is indicated by outputting data corresponding to previously experienced acceleration.
In act 46, a drop is detected from within a handheld electronics device. For example, acceleration associated with gravity is detected. A near zero-gravity or other acceleration indicates a drop. In one embodiment, the drop is detected by matching an acceleration curve to an acceleration likely associated with a drop, taking into account any of various factors such as the connection of a cable. In alternative embodiments, an acceleration threshold, other acceleration profiles or other characteristics are used to detect a drop. The sensed data may be filtered or hysteresis used to determine whether a drop has occurred.
In one embodiment, the drop is detected from within an ultrasound wobbler transducer. Before, during or after use to scan a patient, a wobbler transducer may be dropped. For example, a sonographer accidentally releases the wobbler transducer. As the transducer falls, a drop is detected. Rapid acceleration is detected. Alternatively, acceleration associated with near zero-gravity over a hundred milliseconds or other time period is detected. The transducer cable may act to limit acceleration to slow the acceleration due to gravity. The detection of the drop accounts for likely drag caused by the transducer cable.
In act 48, a component is positioned in response to the detected drop. The component is moved to a protective region in one embodiment. In other embodiments, the component is moved to a region less likely to result in damage due to shock. In the transducer wobbler array example above, the transducer array is moved away from a center position, such as to a position as far away from a lens or along the lens but closer to a sturdier portion of the housing. The positioning is performed by braking the movement of the transducer array or by actively controlling movement of the array to the desired position. As another example, a portion of a lock mechanism is positioned in response to the detected drop. The lock mechanism keeps fragile components from flexing or moving due to a shock. As a further example, a protective shield is deployed adjacent to and just inside the lens cap, after the array has been repositioned to a safe location, in order to support the lens cap from inside and prevent denting on impact. Positioning of the component is performed in response to the detected drop, such as immediately after detected drop, to more likely protect the component before a shock occurs. Delayed responses are provided in other embodiments.
While the invention has been described above by reference to various embodiments, it should be understood that many changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It is therefore intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that it be understood that it is the following claims, including all equivalents, that are intended to define the spirit and scope of this invention.
