Modular tablet case with environmental monitoring components

A modular case assembly for a selected range of tablet computers, the modular assembly comprising:

• a tablet carrier for encasing a selected tablet computer selected from the range of tablet computers, the selected tablet computer having one or more ports, a tablet battery, a tablet memory, and an external button configuration;
• an exterior housing configured to connect to the tablet carrier;
• an accessory cap configured to be attached to or incorporated with the exterior housing and including a functional device in communication with the controller along with the tablet computer, the accessory cap further comprising at least one sensor, a housing memory, and a controller for communication with the selected tablet computer, the at least one sensor, and the housing memory;
• and
• at least one battery;
• wherein the at least one battery and the controller contained by the accessory cap are configured to be operatively connected to the tablet computer so as to allow communication of power and data between the controller and the tablet computer,
• wherein the at least one sensor is configured to sense an environmental condition and wherein the sensed data is stored within the housing memory of the accessory cap independently of a state of the selected tablet computer.

A method for automatically monitoring and storing environmental conditions of a tablet computer provided within a modular case assembly, the modular assembly comprising:

• a tablet carrier for encasing a selected tablet computer, the selected tablet computer having one or more ports, a tablet battery, a tablet memory, and an external button configuration, an exterior housing configured to connect to the tablet carrier at least one sensor, a housing memory, and a controller for communication with the selected tablet computer, the at least one sensor, and the housing memory, and at least one battery, wherein the at least one battery and the controller are configured to be operatively connected to the tablet computer so as to allow communication of power and data between the controller and the tablet computer, and wherein the at least one sensor is configured to sense an environmental condition;
• wherein the method comprises:
• automatically monitoring a status of the tablet computer and communication between the tablet computer and the controller;
• determining that communication between the tablet computer and the controller is unavailable;
• sensing data using the at least one sensor;
• and
• storing sensed data in the housing memory independently of a state of the tablet computer.

A modular case assembly for a selected range of tablet computers, the modular assembly comprising:

• an exterior housing configured to connect to a selected tablet computer encased in a tablet carrier, the selected tablet computer being selected from the range of tablet computers, the selected tablet computer having one or more ports, a tablet battery, a tablet memory, and an external button configuration,
• an accessory cap attached to or incorporated with the exterior housing and including a functional device in communication with the tablet computer;
• a controller for communication with the selected tablet computer and being operatively connected thereto so as to allow communication of power and data between the controller and the tablet computer;
• at least one sensor;
• a housing memory;
• and
• at least one battery;
• wherein either the exterior housing or the accessory cap, or both, contain the at least one battery and/or the controller,
• wherein the at least one sensor is configured to sense an environmental condition and wherein the sensed data is stored within the housing memory independently of a state of the selected tablet computer.