Portable electronic device distress detection system
AssigneeXerox Corporation
InventorEdward J. Solcz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A portable electronics distress detection system includes at least one strain gage and an alarm circuit. The strain gage is mountable to an element of the portable electronic device. The alarm circuit includes a Wheatstone bridge associated with each strain gage, with each strain gage providing a resistance input to an arm of the associated Wheatstone bridge. When a mechanical stress is imposed on the portable electronic device, the strain gage changes the resistance input to the arm of the associated Wheatstone bridge, producing a nonzero voltage output from the Wheatstone bridge. The alarm circuit activates the portable electronic device user interface if the Wheatstone bridge voltage output exceeds a predetermined set point.
Claims18
A portable electronics distress detection system to detect an external load imposed on a portable electronic device and provide a warning of impending mechanical failure due to the external load, the portable electronic device having a housing with an inner surface, the system comprises:
- at least one strain gage adapted to be mounted to and extend longitudinally on the inner surface of the portable electronic device housing;
- at least one strain gage adapted to be mounted to and extend laterally on the inner surface of the portable electronic device housing;
- and
- an alarm circuit adapted to control a user interface of the portable electronic device, the alarm circuit including a Wheatstone bridge associated with each strain gage, each strain gage providing a resistance input to an arm of the associated Wheatstone bridge;
- whereby a mechanical stress imposed on the strain gage changes the resistance input to the arm of the associated Wheatstone bridge, producing a nonzero voltage output from the Wheatstone bridge, the alarm circuit activating the portable electronic device user interface if the Wheatstone bridge voltage output exceeds a predetermined set point.
A portable electronics distress detection system to detect an external load imposed on a portable electronic device and provide a warning of impending mechanical failure due to the external load, the portable electronic device having a housing with an inner surface, the system comprises:
- at least one strain gage adapted to be mounted to the inner surface of the portable electronic device housing extending from an upper corner of the portable electronic device housing to a lower corner of the portable electronic device housing;
- and
- an alarm circuit adapted to control a user interface of the portable electronic device, the alarm circuit including a Wheatstone bridge associated with each strain gage, each strain gage providing a resistance input to an arm of the associated Wheatstone bridge;
- whereby a mechanical stress imposed on the strain gage changes the resistance input to the arm of the associated Wheatstone bridge, producing a nonzero voltage output from the Wheatstone bridge, the alarm circuit activating the portable electronic device user interface if the Wheatstone bridge voltage output exceeds a predetermined set point.
A portable electronic device comprising:
- a plurality of elements including
- a housing defining an enclosed interior,
- electronics disposed within the interior of the housing, and
- a user interface in electrical communication with the electronics;
- and
- a distress detection system to detect an external load imposed on the housing, the distress detection system including
- at least one strain gage mounted to an element of the portable electronic device, and
- an alarm circuit in electrical communication with the user interface, the alarm circuit including a Wheatstone bridge associated with each strain gage, each strain gage providing a resistance input to an arm of the associated Wheatstone bridge;
- whereby a mechanical stress imposed on the strain gage through the portable electronic device changes the resistance input to the arm of the associated Wheatstone bridge, producing a nonzero voltage output from the Wheatstone bridge, the alarm circuit activating the user interface if the Wheatstone bridge voltage output exceeds a predetermined set point to provide a warning of impending mechanical failure due to the external load.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.