Computer plug-in module and interconnection system for wireless applications

• US 5,608,606 A
• Filed: 06/14/1994
• Issued: 03/04/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Computer Incorporated (Apple Inc.)
• Inventors: Blaney, Timothy J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Phillips, Michael W.
• Application Number:
  US08/259,435
• Time in Patent Office: 994 Days
• Field of Search: 439/63, 439/64, 439/76.1, 439/377, 439/540.1, 439/541.5, 439/680, 439/946, 364/708.1, 361/684, 361/686, 361/737, 361/785, 361/796, 361/797, 361/802
• US Class Current: 361/679.32
• 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 1/1632 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 1/1698 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0026 the galvanic contacts of the connector adapted for landing on the contacts of the card upon card insertion
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/38 Transceivers, i.e. devices in which transmitter and receiver form a structural unit and in which at least one part is used for functions of transmitting and receiving
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3816 Mechanical arrangements for accommodating identification devices, e.g. cards or chips; with connectors for programming identification devices
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0273 having extensions for peripherals, e.g. LAN, antennas details of antennas H01Q1/2275
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0291 for multiple cards
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/946 Memory card cartridge

Abstract

A computing system comprises a connection system for coupling wireless technologies to a computer. The connection system comprises a card connector and a matting internal connector cage/frame. The card connector provides an RF connector positioned above a 68 pin connector, which provides a connection to radio frequency (RF) signals. A card has devices which support RF operations for the computing system. The card connector is attached to the card and interfaces with the devices on the card. The housing of the computing system defines a card slot which receives the card and guides connection of the card with the computing system by mating the card connector with the internal connector.

Claims

1. A portable computer system comprising:

an internal connector which provides a first connector for digital signals, a second connector for digital signals, and a third connector for radio frequency (RF) signals;

a first card having devices which support RF operations;

a card connector attached to a first end of the first card, the card connector coupled to devices on the first card, the card connector providing a fourth connector for digital signals and a fifth connector for radio frequency signals; and

a cage assembly affixing at one end of the cage assembly the first connector and the second connector with the third connector positioned between the first connector and the second connector so that the first connector and the second connector can be used independent of the third connector, the cage assembly defining slotted guides adapted to receive a plurality of cards such that the third connector may be used alternatively with the first card positioned to mate with the first connector or a second card positioned to mate with the second connector.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the third connector is a coaxial connector and the first connector and the second connector are digital connectors.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the third and fifth connectors have a bandwidth from 0 Hz to 6 GHz.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the fifth connector is a coaxial connector and the fourth connector is a digital connector, the fifth connector and the fourth connector are mateable with the third connector and the first connector, respectively.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the third connector includes a pair of coaxial connectors.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein the first connector, the second connector, and the fourth connector have an equal number of pins.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the first card has a generally rectangular shape with an area of increased thickness proximate the first end for housing the fifth connector in a position above the fourth connector.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the area of increased thickness of the card is sized such that it does not interfere with use of the second connector of the internal connector when the card connector is coupled to the internal connector.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the cage assembly is capable of holding the first card and the second card simultaneously.

10. A connecting device comprising:

a first connector;

a coaxial connector;

a second connector; and

a cage assembly affixing at one end of the cage assembly the first connector and the second connector with the coaxial connector positioned between the first connector and the second connector so that the first connector and the second connector can be used independent of the coaxial connector, the cage assembly defining slotted guides adapted to receive a plurality of cards such that the coaxial connector may be used alternatively with a first card positioned to mate with the first connector or a second card positioned to mate with the second connector.

11. The connecting device of claim 10, wherein the first connector and the second connector are dual row 68 pin in-line connectors.

12. The connecting device of claim 10, wherein the coaxial connector includes a first coaxial connector and a second coaxial connector for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals.

13. The connecting device of claim 10, wherein the cage assembly defines a plurality of slotted guides for receiving a first module having a mating first connector and a second module having a mating second connector.

14. The connecting device of claim 13, wherein the cage assembly is capable of holding the first module and the second module simultaneously.

15. The connecting device of claim 10, wherein the first connector, the second connector and the coaxial connector are male type connectors.