Computer system housing monitor with detachable module for providing diverse functionality
First Claim
1. A digital computer system having personality attributes comprising:
- a monitor having a first enclosure with a personality module mating surface accessible at the exterior of said first enclosure, an internal power supply, a display signal input connector mounted at said personality module mating surface and a power output connector mounted at said personality module mating surface and coupled to said internal power supply;
personality module means having a second enclosure with a monitor mating surface at the exterior thereof, said second enclosure having at least one circuit card therein for imparting said personality attributes to said system, a display signal output connector electrically coupled to said at least one circuit card and mounted at said monitor mating surface so as to mate with said display signal input connector for supplying display signals thereto and a power input connector electrically coupled to said at least one circuit card and mounted at said monitor mating surface so as to mate with said power output connector for receiving power for said personality module means from said internal power supply of said monitor; and
latching means located proximate said personality module mating surface and said monitor mating surface for urging said personality module mating surface toward said monitor mating surface so as to engage said display signal output connector with said display signal input connector and said power input connector with said power output connector, thereby attaching said personality module to said monitor, and for urging said personality module mating surface away from said monitor mating surface so as to disengage said display output signal connector from said display input signal connector and said power input connector from said power output connector, thereby detaching said personality module means from said monitor.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A monitor is transformed into a predetermined type of digital computer system by attaching a personality module to the rear thereof. The module contains one or more circuit cards for imparting the desired personality to the system. The monitor includes an internal power supply for providing power to the module. Mating video and power connectors are included at the interface surfaces of the monitor and personality module for conveying video signals from the module to the monitor and conveying power from the monitor to the module. Apertures at the top of the rear mounting surface of the monitor engage hooks at the top of the mounting surface of the module to form a disengagable hinged interface therebetween. Apertures are included at the bottom of the mating surface of the monitor for engaging rotary latches disposed at the bottom of the module. Each rotary latch comprises a triple-cut lead screw engaged in a nut captured in the module. A locking lever orthogonal to the lead screw imparts locking and unlocking rotation thereto. Coupled with the lead screw is a latching tab that engages the associated aperture at the bottom of the monitor. The module is attached to the monitor by rotating the levers so that the lead screws impart sufficient travel to the latching tabs to pull the mating surfaces of the monitor and module together. Detents comprising protuberances and a resilient finger maintain the lead screw latches in the locked or unlocked position against axial forces that tend to unscrew the lead screws from the nuts.
81 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A digital computer system having personality attributes comprising:
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a monitor having a first enclosure with a personality module mating surface accessible at the exterior of said first enclosure, an internal power supply, a display signal input connector mounted at said personality module mating surface and a power output connector mounted at said personality module mating surface and coupled to said internal power supply; personality module means having a second enclosure with a monitor mating surface at the exterior thereof, said second enclosure having at least one circuit card therein for imparting said personality attributes to said system, a display signal output connector electrically coupled to said at least one circuit card and mounted at said monitor mating surface so as to mate with said display signal input connector for supplying display signals thereto and a power input connector electrically coupled to said at least one circuit card and mounted at said monitor mating surface so as to mate with said power output connector for receiving power for said personality module means from said internal power supply of said monitor; and latching means located proximate said personality module mating surface and said monitor mating surface for urging said personality module mating surface toward said monitor mating surface so as to engage said display signal output connector with said display signal input connector and said power input connector with said power output connector, thereby attaching said personality module to said monitor, and for urging said personality module mating surface away from said monitor mating surface so as to disengage said display output signal connector from said display input signal connector and said power input connector from said power output connector, thereby detaching said personality module means from said monitor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification