Mobile Device Sled with Standing Configuration and Smart Multiplexer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile devices face challenges in simultaneous use with peripheral devices due to physical and electronic connection limitations, making it difficult to operate effectively, especially in field environments like retail, logistics, and medical settings, where devices like barcode scanners and payment terminals are hard to use and lack effective ports for connection.
Innovation Solution
A modular sled system that allows convenient physical and electronic pairing of mobile devices with peripherals, featuring a standing configuration, modular attachment, and smart multiplexer logic for USB connections, enabling seamless operation with native or external buttons without conflicting circuitry, and automatic rotation of payment terminal displays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mobile devices are connected to peripheral devices through physical connections, then electronic connectivity is established, but device complexity and difficulty of operation increase due to multiple connections and proximity requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the mobile device and peripheral device into a single integrated unit where the peripheral device is built into the mobile device housing. This eliminates the need for separate physical connections while maintaining electronic connectivity, thereby reducing device complexity and improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device is designed to perform multiple functions by integrating various peripheral devices (barcode scanners, payment terminals, etc.) directly into its structure. This universal design allows a single device to serve multiple purposes without requiring separate connected peripherals, reducing the complexity of managing multiple devices and connections.
2Productivity
If multiple peripheral devices are manually held or manipulated simultaneously, then effective operation is achieved, but physical limitations are exceeded making it difficult for end users
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple peripheral devices into a single integrated mobile unit, the patent eliminates the need for users to manually hold and manipulate multiple separate devices. The integrated design allows all peripheral functions to be accessed through a single device, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining productivity.
3Reliability
If peripheral devices have dedicated ports for connections, then electronic connectivity is enabled, but device complexity increases and user ergonomics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the connectivity functions into the integrated mobile device structure itself, eliminating the need for separate peripheral devices with dedicated ports. The mobile device's internal circuitry handles all connections, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable electronic connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the connectivity and processing functions from separate peripheral devices and consolidates them into the mobile device. This extraction eliminates the need for complex port structures on multiple devices, simplifying the overall system while maintaining connectivity capabilities.
4Device complexity
If mobile devices are used without integrated peripheral structures, then device simplicity is maintained, but interoperability with peripherals is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal mobile device design that can integrate multiple types of peripheral devices (barcode scanners, payment terminals, etc.) into its structure. This multi-functional capability provides broad peripheral interoperability while maintaining relative device simplicity through a standardized integration approach.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for operative physical cooperation and ready detachment thereof between a mobile phone, tablet or the like, and an associated peripheral device such as barcode scanners and payment terminals, and improved methods for both physically combining the above and for electronically connecting the same, and for providing ports and mechanical structures which improve user ergodynamics through the use of foldable standing configurations and other aspects.