Ruggedized mobile device with integrated wireless charging and snap mount

• US 9,785,204 B1
• Filed: 05/16/2016
• Issued: 10/10/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MobileDemand
• Original Assignee: MobileDemand
• Inventors: Miller, Matthew, Kunert, Steven R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilson, Adrian S
• Application Number:
  US15/156,081
• Time in Patent Office: 512 Days
• Field of Search: 4555758
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 1/0005 Adaptation of holography to specific applications holographic optical element G02B5/32; holographic scanner G02B26/106; recognition using holographic mask G06V10/88; holographic memories G11B7/0065, G11C13/042
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1686 the I/O peripheral being an integrated camera
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1694 the I/O peripheral being a single or a set of motion sensors for pointer control or gesture input obtained by sensing movements of the portable computer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1696 the I/O peripheral being a printing or scanning device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/50 of still image data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/013 Eye tracking input arrangements G06F3/015 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/017 Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/167 Audio in a user interface, e.g. using voice commands for navigating, audio feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/083 Shipping
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 15/08 Volume rendering
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/10028 Range image; Depth image; 3D point clouds
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/62 of area, perimeter, diameter or volume
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/20 in augmented reality scenes
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/00 Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 : characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3877 : Arrangements for enabling portable transceivers to be used in a fixed position, e.g. cradles or boosters
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3888 : Arrangements for carrying or protecting transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2001/3894 : Waterproofing of transmission device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 : Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/185 : Improving the rigidity of the casing or resistance to shocks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 : by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724094 : Interfacing with a device worn on the user's body to provide access to telephonic functionalities, e.g. accepting a call, reading or composing a message
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 : using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/204 : using stereoscopic image cameras stereoscopic photography G03B35/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/254 : in combination with electromagnetic radiation sources for illuminating objects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/296 : Synchronisation thereof; Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/11 : for generating image signals from visible and infrared light wavelengths
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 : Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/62 : Control of parameters via user interfaces

Abstract

A ruggedized mobile computing device is enclosed by a multi-layer housing providing protection of the device and its individual components (e.g., processors, sensors, touchscreens, peripheral devices and ports) from wear and tear, impact shock, and extreme weather conditions. The mobile device may be rechargeable via a resonant charging receiver connectable to a companion resonant charging transmitter housed in a vehicle cradle or mount, to which the mobile device can be removably mounted for hands-free use or use in a motor vehicle. The mobile device may incorporate scanners, cameras, sensors, and other peripheral devices, and further connect to additional external scanners, sensors, or input devices through its peripheral ports.

Claims

1. A ruggedized mobile computing system, comprising:

a mobile computing device enclosed in a casing, the casing having a

rectangular front face incorporating a touchscreen including a screen protector fashioned of tempered glass having a hardness of at least 8 H and including an oleophobic exterior layer, the screen protector adhered to the touchscreen;

a rear face opposite the front face; and

four exterior edges terminating in four rounded corners;

the mobile computing device configured with one or more processors and a memory and including

at least one wireless transceiver configured to establish a wireless link to at least one remote device;

at least one camera coupled to the one or more processors;

at least one sensor coupled to the one or more processors, the at least one sensor including at least one position sensor;

one or more peripheral ports positioned in the four exterior edges;

an inner housing configured to proximately and removably enclose the rear face and the four exterior edges, the inner housing fashioned of a flexible material and including

four rubberized cushions configured to enclose the four rounded corners; and

one or more apertures configured to expose one or more of the at least one camera, the at least one sensor, and the one or more peripheral ports; and

an outer housing configured to proximately and removably enclose the inner housing, the outer housing fashioned of a molded rigid material and including

one or more protective panels configured to hingedly enclose the one or more apertures; and

a mounting plate proximal to the rear face, the mobile computing device slidably attachable to a cradle configured to support the mobile computing device via the mounting plate.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one camera includes a 3D imaging system, the 3D imaging system including:

a first camera configured to a) detect electromagnetic (EM) radiation in at least a visible spectral band and b) capture at least one first image associated with a subject;

a second camera separated from the first camera by a first distance, the first distance at most the width of the first external edge, the second camera configured to a) detect EM radiation in an infrared (IR) spectral band and b) capture at least one second image associated with the subject; and

an illuminator configured to a) emit EM radiation in an IR spectral band and b) determine at least one second distance associated with one or more of the first image and the second image.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the molded rigid material includes at least one of polycarbonate, ABS, and an alloy of polycarbonate and ABS; and

the inner housing is fashioned of silicone rubber having a Shore durometer rating between 50 A and 80 A.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the mounting plate is fashioned of the molded rigid material and removably attached to the rear face.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one battery; and

a resonant charging receiver coupled to the at least one battery and configured to recharge the at least one battery.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the cradle includes a resonant charging transmitter configured to supply power to the resonant charging receiver.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the resonant charging receiver is coupled to the mounting plate by at least one cable and configured to receive power from the resonant charging transmitter via the at least one cable.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the at least one sensor includes an ambient light sensor, and the at least one position sensor includes at least one of a GNSS receiver, an accelerometer, a compass, and a proximity sensor; and

the one or more peripheral ports include at least one of USB port, a power connector, an HDMI port, an audio port, and a device port configured to connect to an external device removably attached to the mobile computing device.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the at least one external device includes at least one of an RFID scanner, a fingerprint scanner, a magnetic card reader, a smartcard reader, and a PIN pad.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile computing device includes at least one of a smartphone and a tablet.

11. A ruggedized mobile computing apparatus, comprising:

a mobile computing device including a housing having a rectangular front face incorporating

a touchscreen including a screen protector fashioned of tempered glass having a hardness of at least 8 H and including an oleophobic exterior layer, the screen protector adhered to the touchscreen;

a rear face opposite the front face; and

four exterior edges fashioned of a molded rigid material and terminating in four rounded corners enclosed by rubberized cushions;

the mobile computing device including

one or more processors and a memory enclosed by the housing;

at least one wireless transceiver configured to establish a wireless link to at least one remote device;

at least one camera coupled to the one or more processors;

at least one sensor coupled to the one or more processors, the at least one sensor including at least one position sensor; and

one or more peripheral ports positioned in the four exterior edges, one or more of the at least one camera, the at least one sensor, and the one or more peripheral ports hingedly enclosed by protective panels fashioned of the molded rigid material;

the rear face incorporating a mounting plate, the mobile computing device slidably attachable to a cradle configured to support the mobile computing device via the mounting plate.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the at least one camera includes a 3D imaging system, the 3D imaging system including:

a first camera configured to a) detect electromagnetic (EM) radiation in at least a visible spectral band and b) capture at least one first image associated with a subject;

a second camera separated from the first camera by a first distance, the first distance at most the width of the first external edge, the second camera configured to a) detect EM radiation in an infrared (IR) spectral band and b) capture at least one second image associated with the subject; and

an illuminator configured to a) emit EM radiation in an IR spectral band and b) determine at least one second distance associated with one or more of the first image and the second image.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein:

the molded rigid material includes at least one of polycarbonate, ABS, and an alloy of polycarbonate and ABS; and

the rubberized cushions are fashioned silicone rubber having a Shore durometer rating between A50 and A80.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the mounting plate is fashioned of the molded rigid material and removably attached to the rear face.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising:

at least one battery enclosed by the housing; and

a resonant charging receiver coupled to the at least one battery and configured to recharge the at least one battery.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the cradle includes a resonant charging transmitter configured to supply power to the resonant charging receiver.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the resonant charging receiver is coupled to the mounting plate by at least one cable and configured to receive power from the resonant charging transmitter via the at least one cable.

18. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein:

the at least one sensor includes an ambient light sensor, and the at least one position sensor includes at least one of a GNSS receiver, an accelerometer, a compass, and a proximity sensor; and

the one or more peripheral ports include at least one of USB port, a power connector, an HDMI port, an audio port, and a device port configured to connect to an external device removably attached to the mobile computing device.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the at least one external device includes at least one of an RFID scanner, a fingerprint scanner, a magnetic card reader, a smartcard reader, and a PIN pad.

20. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the front face includes at least one physical keypad, the at least one physical keypad including at least one of a numeric keypad and a directional keypad.