Mobile workstation control system configured for power system and peripheral device control

• US 8,160,727 B2
• Filed: 02/25/2008
• Issued: 04/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PNC Bank National Association (The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Stinger Industries LLC (Enovate Medical Holdings, LLC)
• Inventors: Coonan, Gary, Werthman, Dean A., Inthaluxay, Ary
• Primary Examiner(s): Bahta, Kidest
• Assistant Examiner(s): RAO, SHEELA S
• Application Number:
  US12/072,297
• Publication Number:
  US 20090276104A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,513 Days
• Field of Search: 700/22, 36167901-67909, 361/679.41, 361/679.44, 361724-727, 320112-120, 320132-139, 320149- 56, 320160-162
• US Class Current: 700/22
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/263 Arrangements for using multiple switchable power supplies, e.g. battery and AC G06F1/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/22 The load being a portable electronic device
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0013 acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially H02J7/1423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0045 concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries

Abstract

A mobile workstation includes a control system having computer readable memory storing a power sourcing algorithm and a data processing algorithm, a power interface having a first input interface and a second input interface, and an output interface configured to supply power from either of the input interfaces to a plurality of computerized devices resident on the mobile workstation. A microprocessor is configured to execute the power sourcing algorithm to switch the power interface from a first power sourcing mode to a second power sourcing mode and further configured to execute the data processing algorithm to control a peripheral device of the mobile workstation in response to inputs received via a data interface. The control system is part of a power system resident on the mobile workstation and operable independently of a plurality of computerized devices also resident on the mobile workstation.

Claims

1. A mobile workstation comprising:

a frame which includes a base having an upper side, a lower side and a plurality of wheels mounted at the lower side;

a plurality of separate computerized devices resident on the mobile workstation, and including a primary device and a peripheral device; and

a power system also resident on the mobile workstation, the power system being separate from and independent of each of the computerized devices and including a power bus electrically connected with each of the computerized devices, a power interface which includes a first input interface, a second input interface and an output interface electrically connected with the power bus;

the power system further including a removable battery coupled with the first input interface, and a resident battery coupled with the second input interface;

the power system further having means, including a microprocessor, for controlling power sourcing from the first and second input interfaces to the plurality of separate computerized devices and for controlling the peripheral device, and the means for controlling power sourcing further including means for sourcing power to the plurality of separate computerized devices from one of the removable battery and the resident battery whenever the power system is on.

2. The mobile workstation of claim 1 wherein the primary device comprises a computer mounted at a location vertically above the base and including a data processor and a memory, and wherein the peripheral device comprises an electronically controlled device having a locked state and a use state.

3. The mobile workstation of claim 2 wherein the peripheral device includes a user interface and wherein the electronically controlled device comprises an electronically operated lock having a locked state and an unlocked state, the power system further comprising a microprocessor configured to receive data inputs from the user interface and responsively output an unlocking control signal to the peripheral device if the data inputs meet a predetermined criterion.

4. The mobile workstation of claim 3 wherein the control system further comprises a communication link coupled with the user interface and wherein the control system includes a first data interface connecting with the communication link and a second data interface.

5. The mobile workstation of claim 4 further comprising a detector configured to detect user interaction with the removable battery which is indicative of expected decoupling of the removable battery from the mobile workstation, and a second communication link connecting the detector with the second data interface.

6. The mobile workstation of claim 1 wherein the power interface comprises a switching device having a first state corresponding to a first power sourcing mode supplying power from the removable battery but not the resident battery to each of the computerized devices via the first input interface, and a second state corresponding to a second power sourcing mode supplying power from the resident battery but not the removable battery to each of the computerized devices via the second input interface.

7. A control system for a mobile workstation comprising:

a computer readable memory storing computer executable instructions comprising a power sourcing algorithm and a data processing algorithm;

a power interface including a first input interface, a second input interface and an output interface configured to supply power from either of the first input interface or the second input interface to a plurality of computerized devices resident on the mobile workstation, the computerized devices comprising a primary device and a peripheral device;

a data interface; and

a microprocessor coupled with the power interface and coupled with the data interface, the microprocessor being configured by way of executing the power sourcing algorithm to switch the power interface from a first power sourcing mode receiving battery power from a removable battery via the first input interface to a second power sourcing mode receiving battery power from a resident battery via the second input interface, the microprocessor being further configured by way of executing the data processing algorithm to control the peripheral device in response to inputs received via the data interface.

8. The control system of claim 7 wherein the microprocessor is configured via the data interface to receive at least one of activation data and deactivation data for the peripheral device via a communication link with a user interface, and wherein the microprocessor is further configured by way of executing the data processing algorithm to compare the at least one of, activation data and deactivation data, with data stored on the computer readable memory.

9. The control system of claim 8 wherein the microprocessor is further configured by way of executing the data processing algorithm to output a control signal to the peripheral device in response to comparing the at least one of, activation data and deactivation data, with the data stored on the computer readable memory.

10. The control system of claim 8 wherein:

the data interface comprises a first data interface, the control system further comprising a second data interface configured to receive a detection signal from a detector indicative of user interaction with a removable battery of the mobile workstation; and

the microprocessor is further configured by way of executing the power sourcing algorithm to output a switching signal to the power interface to switch the power interface from the first power sourcing mode to the second power sourcing mode, responsive to the detection signal.

11. A method of operating a mobile workstation comprising the steps of:

coupling a plurality of separate computerized devices with a power system resident on the mobile workstation which is separate from and independent of the computerized devices, the plurality of separate computerized devices including a primary device and a peripheral device;

establishing a communications link between the peripheral device and a control system also resident on the mobile workstation, which is separate from and independent of the computerized devices;

controlling power sourcing in the power system via the control system, including switching a power interface of the power system between a first power sourcing mode supplying power to the computerized devices from a removable battery and a second power sourcing mode supplying power to the computerized devices from a resident battery; and

controlling the peripheral device with the control system.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of controlling power sourcing comprises executing a power sourcing control algorithm recorded on a computer readable memory of the control system, and wherein the step of controlling the peripheral device includes executing a data processing algorithm also recorded on the computer readable memory of the control system.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the step of controlling power sourcing further comprises switching the power interface from the a first power sourcing mode to the second power sourcing mode responsive to a signal indicative of expected decoupling of the removable battery from the mobile workstation.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the steps of coupling a second peripheral device with the power system, establishing a second communications link between the second peripheral device and the control system and controlling the second peripheral device with the control system.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the step of coupling a second peripheral device with the power system comprises coupling an electrically actuated device with the power system.