Integrated portable electronics tester

• US 8,095,339 B2
• Filed: 04/07/2008
• Issued: 01/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Paul Delory
• Original Assignee: Paul Delory
• Inventors: Delory, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Dunn, Drew A
• Assistant Examiner(s): SUN, XIUQIN
• Application Number:
  US12/080,915
• Publication Number:
  US 20080270079A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,373 Days
• Field of Search: 702/186, 702/121, 713/1, 361/679.46
• 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 may include 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 power on self test function, RAM function, and video function;

a module for testing a laptop PC'"'"'s power on self test function and RAM function;

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

wherein said module for testing power on self test 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 power on self test/RAM diagnostics cable.

2. The apparatus for the diagnosis of laptop computer peripherals of claim 1 wherein said power on self test/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.

3. The apparatus for diagnosis of laptop computer peripherals of claim 1 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.

4. The apparatus for the diagnosis of laptop computer peripherals of claim 1 wherein said module for testing power on self test and RAM function reports errors to an end user in non-technical language.

5. The apparatus for the diagnosis of laptop computer peripherals of claim 1 wherein said module for testing power on self test and RAM function advises an end user of the appropriate resolution for any errors discovered by said apparatus.

6. The apparatus for the diagnosis of laptop computer peripherals of claim 1 wherein the said module for testing power on self test and RAM function is upgradeable to accommodate new technologies.

7. 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 power on self test function, RAM function, and video function;

a module for testing a laptop PC'"'"'s power on self test function and RAM function;

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

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.

8. The apparatus for the diagnosis of laptop computer peripherals of claim 7 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.

9. The apparatus for the diagnosis of laptop computer peripherals of claim 7 wherein the said module for laptop video function is upgradeable to accommodate new technologies, as these develop.

10. A method for conducting testing of a laptop PC utilizing 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 power on self test function, RAM function, and video function;

a module for testing a laptop PC'"'"'s power on self test function and RAM function; and

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

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

(d) using means for obtaining definition of the code generated by the power on self test/RAM diagnostics card;

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

(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.