Robust customizable computer processing system

• US 20040136167A1
• Filed: 10/22/2003
• Published: 07/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ATD Ventures, LLC
• Original Assignee: Jason A. Sullivan
• Inventors: Sullivan, Jason A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,242,574 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/728
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1601 Constructional details related to the housing of computer displays, e.g. of CRT monitors, of flat displays constructional details related to flat displays integrated in a portable computer, e.g. laptop, handheld computer G06F1/1637; constructional details related to television receivers H04N5/64
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1613 for portable computers cooling arrangements therefor G06F1/203; constructional details or arrangements for pocket calculators, electronic agendas or books G06F15/0216; constructional details of portable telephone sets: with several bodies H04M1/0202
• 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 1/181 Enclosures for portable computers G06F1/1613
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/20 Cooling means
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/03 Covers
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/04 Metal casings

Abstract

The present invention features a robust customizable computing system comprising: a processing control unit; an external object; and means for operably connecting the processing control unit to the external object, the processing control unit introducing intelligence into the external object, thus causing the external object to perform smart functions. The processing control unit preferably comprises: (a) an encasement module comprising a main support chassis having a plurality of wall supports and a plurality of junction centers containing means for supporting a computer component therein, a dynamic back plane that provides support for connecting peripheral and other computing components directly to a system bus without requiring an interface, means for enclosing the main support chassis and providing access to an interior portion of the encasement module; (b) one or more computer processing components disposed within the junction centers of the encasement module; and (c) means for cooling the interior portion of the encasement module.

Claims

1. A robust customizable computing system comprising:

a processing control unit;

an external object; and

means for operably connecting said processing control unit to said external object, said processing control unit introducing intelligence into said external object and causing said external object to perform smart functions.

2. The robust customizable computer processing system of claim 1, wherein said processing control unit comprises:

an encasement module comprising;

a main support chassis having a plurality of wall supports and a plurality of junction centers containing means for supporting a computer component therein;

a dynamic back plane that provides support for connecting peripheral and other computing components directly to a system bus without requiring an interface;

means for enclosing said main support chassis and providing access to an interior portion of said encasement module;

one or more computer processing components disposed within said junction centers of said encasement module; and

means for cooling said interior portion of said encasement module.

3. The robust customizable computing system of claim 1, wherein said means for operably connecting comprises means for physically coupling said processing control unit to said external object, such that said processing control unit functions as a load bearing component.

4. The robust customizable computing system of claim 1, further comprising at least one other processing control unit operably connected to said external object.

5. The robust customizable computing system of claim 1, wherein said processing control unit comprises a load bearing structure.

6. The robust customizable computing system of claim 1, wherein said means for operably connecting comprises a direct connection via a universal port formed in a dynamic back plane on said processing control unit.

7. The robust customizable computing system of claim 1, wherein said means for operably connecting comprises a wired connection that connects to a port formed within said processing control unit.

8. The robust customizable computing system of claim 1, wherein said means for operably connecting comprises a wireless connection.

9. The robust customizable computing system of claim 1, wherein said means for operably connecting comprises means for engaging an external object.

10. The robust customizable computing system of claim 9, wherein said means for engaging an external object comprises a slide receiver formed on said processing control unit that functions to receive a matching insert located on an external object.

11. The robust customizable computing system of claim 1, wherein said external object is selected from the group consisting of any object, system, device, apparatus, component, structure, component of a structure, item of manufacture, and inanimate object

12. The robust customizable computing system of claim 9, wherein said external object comprises a workstation computer having snap-on peripheral devices that operably connect to said processing control unit.

13. The robust customizable computing system of claim 1, wherein said external object comprises circuitry, such that said processing control unit operably connects to said circuitry.

14. The robust customizable computing system of claim 1, wherein said processing control unit is non-peripheral based.

15. A robust customizable computing system comprising:

an external object;

a processing control unit physically supporting said external object or a component of said external object; and

means for operably connecting said processing control unit to said external object, said processing control unit introducing intelligence into said external object and causing said external object to perform smart functions.

16. A method for introducing intelligence into an external object and enabling smart functions therein, said method comprising:

obtaining an external object;

operably connecting a processing control unit to said external object; and

initiating one or more computing functions within said processing control unit to cause said external object to perform smart functions.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said processing control unit comprises:

a non-peripherals-based encasement module comprising;

a main support chassis for providing main support to said encasement module;

one or more plates removably coupled to said main support chassis for providing access to an interior portion of said encasement module;

one or more processing components removably disposed within said encasement module; and

means for cooling said encasement module and dissipating heat to the surrounding ambient air.

18. The non-peripherals computer processing system of claim 17, wherein said encasement is substantially cubical in shape, such that said encasement module comprises:

a main support chassis having first, second and third side wall supports;

first and second end plates removably coupled to said main support chassis and comprising a plurality of ventilation ports;

a dynamic back plane removably coupled to said main support chassis; and

a tri-board electrical printed circuit board configuration removably secured within said encasement module.