Integrated portable electronics tester

• US 20080270079A1
• Filed: 04/07/2008
• Published: 10/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Paul Delory
• Original Assignee: Paul Delory
• Inventors: Delory, Paul
• Granted Patent: US 8,095,339 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/186
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/273 Tester hardware, i.e. output processing circuits G06F11/263 takes precedence

Abstract

A device and method for testing the functionality of various electronic device components. The device is portable and is capable of being upgraded with changes in technology. The device is enclosed within a housing, which comprises a power supply and a display. The disclosed device incorporates a tester for personal computer and laptop components, including but not limited to, power supply, microprocessor, motherboard, system memory, video subsystem, mass storage devices, and cables.

Claims

1. An apparatus for the diagnosis of the peripherals of both laptop and desktop computers comprising:

a main control panel;

a series of modules in electrical communication comprising;

a module for testing a desktop PC'"'"'s power supply;

a module for testing a laptop PC'"'"'s power supply;

a module for testing a mass storage device;

a module for testing cable continuity;

a module for testing a desktop PC'"'"'s POST function, RAM function, and video function;

a module for testing a laptop PC'"'"'s POST function and RAM function; and

a module for testing a laptop PC'"'"'s video function.

2. The apparatus for diagnosis of computer peripherals of claim 1 wherein said modules are removable and upgradeable to accommodate new technologies, as these are developed;

and where there may be more or fewer modules, depending upon the needs of the technology.

3. The apparatus for the diagnosis of computer peripherals of claim 1 wherein said apparatus is portable.

4. The apparatus for the diagnosis of computer peripherals of claim 1 wherein said module for testing a laptop PC'"'"'s power supply further comprises a series of components in electrical communication comprising:

a power supply tester;

an autoranging DC power supply;

an LCD display on which the condition of components under test is indicated;

a series of adapters designed to interface a universal connector with any state-of-the-art power connector.

5. The apparatus for the diagnosis of computer peripherals of claim 4 wherein said module for testing a laptop power supply is utilized to supply power to a malfunctioning laptop PC.

6. The apparatus for the diagnosis of computer peripherals of claim 4 wherein said module for testing a laptop power supply incorporates a variety of adapters such that said module will function with all state of the art laptop power supplies.

7. The apparatus for the diagnosis of computer peripherals of claim 4 wherein said module for testing a power supply is upgradeable to accommodate new technologies.

8. The apparatus for diagnosis of computer peripherals of claim 1 wherein said module for testing POST and RAM function on a laptop PC further comprises a series of components in electrical communication comprising:

a microprocessor;

one or more nonvolatile memory means used to store the test subroutines and a database of error codes and resolutions;

a means of communicating with a companion personal computer to receive updates to test routines and the error code database;

a volatile memory means; and

,

a POST/RAM diagnostics cable.

9. The apparatus for the diagnosis of laptop computer peripherals of claim 8 wherein said POST/RAM diagnostics cable is designed to interface with said laptop PC under test via its PCMCIA bus and to unspool from said apparatus via a retractable cable.

10. The apparatus for diagnosis of laptop computer peripherals of claim 8 wherein said microprocessor and said volatile memory means are used as surrogates for a set of components on said laptop PC under test when said set of components on said laptop PC malfunction.

11. The apparatus for the diagnosis of laptop computer peripherals of claim 8 wherein said module for testing POST and RAM function reports errors to an end user in non-technical language.

12. The apparatus for the diagnosis of laptop computer peripherals of claim 8 wherein said module for testing POST and RAM function advises an end user of the appropriate resolution for any errors discovered by said apparatus.

13. The apparatus for the diagnosis of laptop computer peripherals of claim 8 wherein the said module for testing POST and RAM function is upgradeable to accommodate new technologies.

14. The apparatus for the diagnosis of laptop computer peripherals of claim 1 wherein said module for testing a laptop PC'"'"'s video function further comprises a series of components in electrical communication comprising:

a microprocessor to act as a video controller;

one or more nonvolatile memory means used to store the test subroutines;

a means of video output;

a diagnostic cable for said video output;

one or more fixed ports for said video output;

a series of adapters for said means of video output;

a means of video input;

a diagnostic cable for said video input; and

a series of adapters for said video input.

15. The apparatus for the diagnosis of laptop computer peripherals of claim 14 wherein said video controller are used as surrogates for a set of components on said laptop PC under test when said set of components on said laptop PC malfunction.

16. The apparatus for the diagnosis of laptop computer peripherals of claim 14 wherein the said module for laptop video function is upgradeable to accommodate new technologies, as these develop.

17. An apparatus for the management, storage, and use of a series of adapters, comprising:

a retractable cable;

a spool on which said retractable cable can be wound;

a one-way locking gear for said spool;

a universal receiver terminating said retractable cable;

a selector wheel for adapters;

a spring permitting limited vertical motion of said selector wheel;

a metal tongue for said universal receiver permitting only engaging motion;

a release for said metal tongue; and

a release for said retractable cable.

18. A method for conducting testing of a laptop PC comprising the steps of:

(a) determining whether the PC turns on, wherein when the PC turns on proceeding to step (c), wherein when the PC does not turn on measuring the power supply of the PC using a power supply tester;

(b) using a second functional power supplier to supply power to the PC and turning the PC on;

(c) using a POST/RAM diagnostics card on the PCMCIA bus of the laptop PC to test the motherboard, processor, and RAM of the PC, wherein when the POST diagnostics card does not find a defect proceeding to step (e), further wherein when the POST diagnostics find a defect the card generates a code;

(d) using means for obtaining definition of the code generated by the POST/RAM diagnostics card;

(e) using the POST/RAM diagnostics card on the PCMCIA bus of the laptop PC to test the memory of the PC;

(alternative claim—

removing the RAM chips from the PC and testing the RAM chips in a separate memory tester)

(f) wherein when a defect is found in the motherboard or processor of the PC by step (c) or a defect is found in the memory of the PC by step (e) then removing the hard drive of the PC;

(g) making the hard drive readable on a second functional PC and testing the hard drive for software errors.