Selectively engageable interface for circuit cards
First Claim
1. An improved interface between a circuit card and a computer, said computer comprising a processing unit for executing computer programs and an RF antenna for facilitating wireless communication functions, said improved interface comprising a primary interface between said circuit card and said processing unit and an auxiliary interface between said circuit card and said RF antenna, said circuit card utilizing said RF antenna to provide a wireless communication function to said computer, said auxiliary interface comprising:
- a circuit card;
an auxiliary card connector on said circuit card;
a computer;
an auxiliary base connector in said computer, said auxiliary base connector being movable between a first position and a second position, said first position allowing said circuit card to be inserted into said computer, said second position providing electrical contact between said auxiliary base connector and said auxiliary card connector when said circuit card is inserted into said computer; and
an actuator device for moving said auxiliary base connector between said first position and said second position.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An interface apparatus provides an auxiliary interface between an electronic base unit and a circuit card. The auxiliary interface apparatus may, for example, provide an RF interface between a notebook computer and a PCMCIA circuit card. The auxiliary interface apparatus comprises an auxiliary base connector attached to the base unit, an auxiliary card connector attached to the circuit card, and an actuator device. The actuator device moves the auxiliary base connector between a first position, in which the auxiliary base connector does not make contact with the auxiliary card connector, and a second position, in which the auxiliary base connector does make contact with the auxiliary card connector. The actuator device preferably comprises a rack and pinion device, where the auxiliary base connector is attached to the rack. A pinion gear engages with the rack to move the auxiliary base connector between the first position and the second position. The auxiliary base connector includes a convex, substantially hemispherical surface. The auxiliary card connector includes a concave, substantially hemispherical surface with a plurality of conductor elements.
39 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An improved interface between a circuit card and a computer, said computer comprising a processing unit for executing computer programs and an RF antenna for facilitating wireless communication functions, said improved interface comprising a primary interface between said circuit card and said processing unit and an auxiliary interface between said circuit card and said RF antenna, said circuit card utilizing said RF antenna to provide a wireless communication function to said computer, said auxiliary interface comprising:
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a circuit card; an auxiliary card connector on said circuit card; a computer; an auxiliary base connector in said computer, said auxiliary base connector being movable between a first position and a second position, said first position allowing said circuit card to be inserted into said computer, said second position providing electrical contact between said auxiliary base connector and said auxiliary card connector when said circuit card is inserted into said computer; and an actuator device for moving said auxiliary base connector between said first position and said second position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An interface apparatus for establishing a first interface between an electronic unit and a circuit card, said electronic unit having a first base connector, said circuit card having a first card connector, said circuit card being insertable into said electronic unit so that said first base connector engages with said first card connector to form a second interface between said electronic unit and said circuit card, said interface apparatus comprising:
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an electronic unit; a second base connector attached to said electronic unit; a circuit card; a corresponding second card connector attached to said circuit card; and an actuator device for selectively engaging said second base connector with said second card connector to form said first interface between said electronic unit and said circuit card. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An interface apparatus for providing an RF interface between a circuit card and an electronic unit, said interface apparatus comprising:
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an electronic unit; a base connector connected to said electronic unit, said base connector having a substantially smooth engaging surface, said base connector comprising; a first base conductor, said first base conductor being recessed from said engaging surface of said base connector; a second base conductor, wherein said second base conductor comprises a convex, substantially hemispherical surface at said engaging surface of said base connector; and a base insulator, said base insulator insulating said first base conductor from said second base conductor; a circuit card; a card connector connected to said circuit card, wherein said card connector comprises a corresponding concave, substantially hemispherical surface at said engaging surface of said card connector, said card connector comprising; a first card conductor, said first card conductor protruding from said engaging surface of said card connector; a second card conductor, wherein said second card conductor comprises a plurality of conductor elements for establishing a substantially uniform electrical contact between said second card conductor and said second base conductor around substantially the entire circumference of said second base conductor; and a card insulator, said card insulator insulating said first card conductor from said second card conductor; and an actuator device for engaging said base conductor with said card connector so that said first base conductor makes electrical contact with said first card conductor and said second base conductor makes electrical contact with said second card conductor.
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Specification