Modular portable computer

• US 5,640,302 A
• Filed: 03/11/1996
• Issued: 06/17/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: PDACO LIMITED
• Original Assignee: Elonex IP Holdings Limited
• Inventors: Kikinis, Dan
• Primary Examiner(s): Thompson, Gregory D.
• Application Number:
  US08/613,859
• Time in Patent Office: 463 Days
• Field of Search: 165/80.3, 165/185, 257/718-719, 257/726-727, 361/680-690, 361/704, 361/707-711, 361/720, 361/725, 361/727, 360/98.01, 369/75.1
• US Class Current: 361/679.41
• 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 1/183 Internal mounting support structures, e.g. for printed circuit boards, internal connecting means for buses G06F13/409
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/203 for portable computers, e.g. for laptops
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/409 Mechanical coupling back panels H05K7/1438
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03541 Mouse/trackball convertible devices, in which the same ball is used to track the 2D relative movement
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03549 Trackballs G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/125 the apparatus comprising a plurality of recording/reproducing devices, e.g. modular arrangements, arrays of disc drives
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/052 reductible in size, e.g. for transportation
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/06 Simultaneous speech and data transmission, e.g. telegraphic transmission over the same conductors
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/066 Telephone sets adapted for data transmision
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42314 in private branch exchanges
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42323 PBX's with CTI arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00127 Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00236 using an image reading or reproducing device, e.g. a facsimile reader or printer, as a local input to or local output from a computer image input to or image output from a computer via a network H04N1/00209
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00241 using an image reading device as a local input to a computer input via network, e.g. network scanners H04N1/00225
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00326 with a data reading, recognizing or recording apparatus, e.g. with a bar-code apparatus arrangements for the associated working of recording or reproducing apparatus with related apparatus G11B31/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00392 : Other manual input means, e.g. digitisers or writing tablets
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00538 : Modular devices, i.e. allowing combinations of separate components, removal or replacement of components
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/107 : with manual scanning
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/195 : the array comprising a two-dimensional array or a combination of two-dimensional arrays
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0049 : By wire, cable or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0051 : Card-type connector, e.g. PCMCIA card interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0053 : Optical, e.g. using an infrared link
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0063 : Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0428 : Integrated services digital network, i.e. systems for transmission of different types of digitised signals, e.g. speech, data, telecentral, television signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13003 : Constructional details of switching devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13034 : A/D conversion, code compression/expansion
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1308 : Power supply
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13093 : Personal computer, PC
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13096 : Digital apparatus individually associated with a subscriber line, digital line circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13098 : Mobile subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13103 : Memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13106 : Microprocessor, CPU
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13107 : Control equipment for a part of the connection, distributed control, co-processing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13174 : Data transmission, file transfer
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13175 : Graphical user interface [GUI], WWW interface, visual indication
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13179 : Fax, still picture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13199 : Modem, modulation
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13209 : ISDN
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1322 : PBX
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13299 : Bus
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13322 : Integrated circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13389 : LAN, internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13396 : Signaling in general, in-band signalling
• 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

Abstract

A modular computer has a framework with module bays for receiving CPU modules, power modules, and peripheral function modules such as floppy and hard disk drives. The framework has a built-in compressed bus and a variety of function modules which can be plugged into any one of the module bays. Function modules include, but are not limited to, CPU, power, floppy disk, hard disk, RAM memory, LAN communication, modem, FAX communication, and data acquisition. In some embodiments function modules are provided for communicating with separate input means, such as voice, keyboards, and pen-pads. In one aspect the module bays and the function modules are configured according to dimensional and connective standards of the Personal Computer Memory Card International Association. In another embodiment heat sink structures in module bays are translatable to contact docked modules to extract waste heat. Such structures in other embodiments are configured to engage docked modules to prevent removal until a security procedure is accomplished.

Claims

1. A computer comprising:

a CPU;

an internal bus coupled to the CPU;

an enclosed docking bay having a connector coupled to the internal bus wherein a functional module may be docked; and

a retention apparatus within the enclosed docking bay, operable to engage and retain a docked module;

wherein the computer is adapted to operate the retention apparatus to engage and retain a docked functional module preventing ejection or removal of the docked functional module, and to require entry of a security code known to a user for release of the docked functional module.

2. A computer as in claim 1 wherein the computer is a portable computer having a case with a keyboard on an upper surface and a video monitor hinged to the case.

3. A computer as in claim 1 wherein the computer is a portable computer having a case with a combination display and touch-screen input apparatus implemented on an upper surface of the case.

4. A computer as in claim 1 wherein the retention apparatus is a part of a heat sink plate movable against a docked module.

5. A computer as in claim 1 wherein the retention apparatus is activated by a solenoid controlled by the CPU.

6. A computer as in claim 1 having a case and a plurality of enclosed docking bays opening to one or more edges of the case, the docking bays forming a planar array.

7. A computer as in claim 6 wherein the computer is a portable computer having a case with a keyboard implemented on an upper surface of the case and a video monitor hinged to the case.

8. A computer as in claim 6 wherein the computer is a portable computer having a case with a combination display and touch-screen input apparatus on an upper surface of the case.

9. In a computer comprising a CPU, an internal bus coupled to the CPU, and an enclosed docking bay having a connector coupled to the internal bus wherein a functional module may be docked, a security system comprising:

a retention apparatus including a latch within the docking bay;

a translation apparatus connected to the retention apparatus for translating the security apparatus toward and away from a module in docked position; and

control routines executable by the CPU;

wherein the translation apparatus moves the retention apparatus to engage and retain a docked functional module preventing ejection or removal of the docked functional module, and wherein the CPU, exercising the control routines, requires entry by a user of a security code for release of the docked functional module.

10. A security system as in claim 9 wherein the retention apparatus comprises a heat-sink plate having an extension for engaging and blocking release of a docked functional module.

11. A security system as in claim 9 wherein the translation apparatus is solenoid-activated, and the solenoid is controlled by the CPU.

12. In a computer comprising a CPU, an internal bus coupled to the CPU, and a planar array of enclosed docking bays wherein functional modules may be docked, each docking bay having a connector coupled to the internal bus, a security system comprising:

a retention apparatus including a latch within each docking bay;

a translation apparatus connected to each retention apparatus for translating the retention apparatus toward and away from a module in docked position; and

control routines executable by the CPU;

wherein the translation apparatus moves the retention apparatus to engage a docked functional module preventing ejection or removal of the docked functional module, and wherein the CPU, exercising the control routines, requires entry by a user of a security code for release of the docked functional module.

13. A method for enhancing security for a functional module docked in a module bay of a computer, comprising steps of:

(a) blocking release of the docked function module by closing a retention apparatus on the functional module, the retention apparatus having a latch element for blocking release of the functional module; and

(b) requiring entry of a security code for release of the functional module.