ECE 110/120 Honors Lab Section : Multi-functional Laptop Tray

Group Members( listed alphabetically on the first name)

1.Introduction

a) Statement of Purpose
We plan to design a handy product that can significantly stop the theft on laptops in public working space and help cool down the laptop in case of overheating.

b) Background Research
1) Firstly we looked for present anti-theft devices for laptops and found out that the most popular device is cable locks which require special locking port from the laptop and equipment of the workstation. While in our design, the safety system is universal for all laptops as long as we have the case.

2) We also looked for similar electronic alarm systems for the laptop and found a gadget that constantly measured the distance between the laptop and the table.

2.Design Details

a) Block Diagram

Also, our design includes an electronically controlled lock which tightens the laptop with its tray, forcing the thief to leave the laptop because the alarm generated by the tray will draw tons of attention to him.

b) System Overview

i) Alarm system: Our key component of the alarm system will react if the laptop is removed from the table, first making an announcement and then started to “panic”, sending out loud sound and blurring light signals to catch attention to the theft. The panic will only stop when the right password is entered after the alarm goes off. (If the laptop is placed back right after the announcement is made, then the alarm will not be activated)

ii) Cooling system

The thermal sensor will be monitoring the temperature of the laptop at any time and will react to it should the temperature passes the first threshold. The external cooling fan will be turned on, increasing power until the temperature comes back to normal.

3.Parts
1) Cooling fans

2) Body of the case (Including handles and lock wires)

3) Sensors and all kinds of electronic components 

4) PCB (initially breadboard)

5) Alarm

6) Battery

4.Possible Challenges
1) Realization of micro-control without an Arduino PCB

2) Building the mechanical structure of the tray (the lock, fans…)

3)Overall the project is really challenging and requires an extra time commitment.

5.References

http://gold-pick.com.tw/ez2/goods.php?id=292

Electrical Engineering: An introduction, S.E. Schwartz, W.G. Oldham, second edition, Saunder College Publishing, 1993

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Servomotor#Control