Multi-functional device for a computer

• US 20050157458A1
• Filed: 01/15/2004
• Published: 07/21/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Hoffer, Cary J., Yin, Memphis-Zhihong
• Granted Patent: US 7,254,015 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.10
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• 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 1/1686 the I/O peripheral being an integrated camera
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1698 the I/O peripheral being a sending/receiving arrangement to establish a cordless communication link, e.g. radio or infrared link, integrated cellular phone details of antennas disposed inside a computer H01Q1/2266

Abstract

A multi-functional device for a computer has a first set of functions when the multi-functional device is inserted into the computer and a second set of functions when removed from the computer.

Claims

1. A computer, comprising:

an internal device bay with an electrical connector disposed therein; and

a multi-functional device insertable in the internal device bay and connectable to the electrical connector;

and wherein the multi-functional device has a first set of functions when the multi-functional device is inserted into the internal device bay and connected to the electrical connector and a second set of functions different from the first set of functions when removed from the internal device bay.

2. A computer as defined in claim 1, wherein:

the first and second sets of functions are at least partially overlapping.

3. A computer as defined in claim 1, wherein:

the first set of functions comprises file storage.

4. A computer as defined in claim 3, wherein:

the multi-functional device comprises a multi-functional storage drive.

5. A computer as defined in claim 1, wherein:

the first set of functions comprises transferring content across the electrical connector.

6. A computer as defined in claim 1, wherein:

the second set of functions comprises creating content.

7. A computer as defined in claim 6, wherein:

the multi-functional device comprises at least one of a still image camera, a video camera, a video recorder, an audio recorder, a tablet computer, a PDA and a digital camcorder.

8. A computer as defined in claim 1, wherein:

the second set of functions comprises playing content.

9. A computer as defined in claim 8, wherein:

the multi-functional device comprises at least one of a video player, a DVD player, a television, an audio player, a CD player, an MP3 player, a tape player, a radio, a tablet computer and a PDA.

10. A computer as defined in claim 1, wherein:

the multi-functional device is insertable fully into the internal device bay.

11. A computer as defined in claim 1, wherein:

when the multi-functional device is inserted into the internal device bay and connected to the electrical connector, the multi-functional device has a side that is accessible externally of the computer in accordance with at least part of the first set of functions.

12. A multi-functional device that can be connected to a personal electronic system having an internal device bay and an electrical connector accessible within the internal device bay, comprising:

a body insertable at least partially into the internal device bay of the personal electronic system; and

a mating electrical connector adapted to connect to the electrical connector of the personal electronic system upon inserting the multi-functional device into the internal device bay;

and wherein;

the multi-functional device operates in a first functional capacity when inserted at least partially into the internal device bay and connected to the electrical connector; and

the multi-functional device operates in a second functional capacity different from the first functional capacity when removed from the personal electronic system.

13. A multi-functional device as defined in claim 12, wherein:

the personal electronic system comprises a computer.

14. A multi-functional device as defined in claim 12, wherein:

the multi-functional device operates in the first functional capacity under control of the personal electronic system.

15. A multi-functional device as defined in claim 14, wherein:

the multi-functional device exchanges content with the personal electronic system.

16. A multi-functional device as defined in claim 14, further comprising:

a file storage device.

17. A multi-functional device as defined in claim 12, wherein:

in the second functional capacity, the multi-functional device operates independently of the personal electronic system.

18. A multi-functional device as defined in claim 17, wherein:

the multi-functional device creates content.

19. A multi-functional device as defined in claim 17, wherein:

the multi-functional device plays content.

20. A multi-functional device as defined in claim 12, further comprising:

a storage media aperture in a front sidewall of the body through which a storage media is inserted into and removed from the multi-functional device.

21. A multi-functional device as defined in claim 20, wherein:

the storage media aperture is accessible when the multi-functional device is inserted into the internal device bay.

22. A multi-functional device as defined in claim 12, further comprising:

at least one of a storage device, a still image camera, a video camera, a video player, a DVD player, a VCR, an audio player, an audio recorder, an MP3 player, a CD player, a tape player, a video recorder, a digital camcorder, a computer, a personal digital assistant, a phone, a game player, a television and a radio.

23. A multi-functional device for use with a computer system having an internal device bay, comprising:

a housing means adapted to fit at least partially in the internal device bay of the computer system; and

means for electrical connection to the computer system when the multi-functional device is at least partially in the internal device bay;

and wherein;

the operation of the multi-functional device is controllable by the computer system when the multi-functional device is at least partially in the internal device bay;

content is transferable between the multi-functional device and the computer system across the electrical connection means when the multi-functional device is at least partially in the internal device bay;

the content is playable by the computer system when the multi-functional device is at least partially in the internal device bay; and

the content is playable by the multi-functional device when the multi-functional device is not in the internal device bay.

24. A method for using a multi-functional device, comprising:

electrically connecting the multi-functional device to a personal electronic system by inserting the multi-functional device at least partially into an internal device bay of the personal electronic system;

operating the multi-functional device in a first functional capacity when the multi-functional device is inserted in the internal device bay of the personal electronic system;

electrically disconnecting the device from the personal electronic system by removing the device from the internal device bay of the personal electronic system; and

operating the multi-functional device in a second functional capacity different from the first functional capacity when the multi-functional device is removed from the personal electronic system.

25. A method as defined in claim 24, wherein:

the personal electronic system comprises a computer system.

26. A method as defined in claim 24, wherein:

the first functional capacity includes file storage;

and further comprising;

storing content in the multi-functional device when the multi-functional device is inserted in the internal device bay of the personal electronic system.

27. A method as defined in claim 26, further comprising:

inserting a removable storage media into the multi-functional device; and

storing the content onto the removable storage media.

28. A method as defined in claim 24, wherein:

the first functional capacity includes exchanging content between the multi-functional device and the personal electronic system.

29. A method as defined in claim 24, wherein:

the second functional capacity includes creating content independently from the personal electronic system.

30. A method as defined in claim 29, wherein:

the multi-functional device comprises at least one of a still image camera, a video camera, a video recorder, an audio recorder, a tablet computer, a PDA and a digital camcorder.

31. A method as defined in claim 24, wherein:

the second functional capacity includes playing content independently from the personal electronic system.

32. A method as defined in claim 31, wherein:

the multi-functional device comprises at least one of a video player, a DVD player, a television, an audio player, a CD player, an MP3 player, a tape player, a radio, a tablet computer and a PDA.

33. A computer, comprising:

an internal device bay with an electrical connector disposed therein; and

a multi-functional device insertable in the internal device bay and connectable to the electrical connector;

and wherein the multi-functional device has a first set of functions when the multi-functional device is inserted into the internal device bay and connected to the electrical connector and a second set of functions when removed from the internal device bay and completely disconnected and independent from the computer.

34. A multi-functional device that can be connected to a personal electronic system having an internal device bay and an electrical connector accessible within the internal device bay, comprising:

a body insertable at least partially into the internal device bay of the personal electronic system; and

a mating electrical connector adapted to connect to the electrical connector of the personal electronic system upon inserting the multi-functional device into the internal device bay;

and wherein;

the multi-functional device operates in a first functional capacity when inserted at least partially into the internal device bay and connected to the electrical connector; and

the multi-functional device operates in a second functional capacity when removed from the internal device bay and completely disconnected and independent from the personal electronic system.