Communications card with integral transmission media line adaptor
First Claim
1. A communications card for electrically interfacing a computer with a transmission media line that has either one of at least two different types of electrical media line connectors, said communications card comprising a card body with a first end and the second end, the first end including a first connector terminal which interfaces with a host computer, and the second end including a second connector terminal adapted to receive an electrical media line connector of a first type, a recess formed in the card body which extends from the second end toward the first end of the card body, and a movable member that is movable within said recess, said movable member integrating with said card body to present a generally rectangular configuration with said movable member fully inserted within said recess, said movable member including a receptacle which is configured to receive an electrical media line connector of a second type.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A communications card provides an electronic interface between a host computer and a transmission media line. The communications card includes a releasable adaptor which interconnects an electrical connector of the transmission media line to the communications card when in use. In a first attachment position, which may be used as a storage position, the adaptor integrates into the overall configuration of the communication card to present a configuration that conforms with PCMCIA communication card architecture. For certain PCMCIA socket configurations, this integrated attachment position may also be used as an operational position. In a second attachment position, the adaptor forms an extension of the communications card, extending away from the computer socket to accommodate more restrictive socket configurations. The communications card also includes an optional connector terminal to permit connection to an electrical media line connector of a second type.
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Citations
42 Claims
- 1. A communications card for electrically interfacing a computer with a transmission media line that has either one of at least two different types of electrical media line connectors, said communications card comprising a card body with a first end and the second end, the first end including a first connector terminal which interfaces with a host computer, and the second end including a second connector terminal adapted to receive an electrical media line connector of a first type, a recess formed in the card body which extends from the second end toward the first end of the card body, and a movable member that is movable within said recess, said movable member integrating with said card body to present a generally rectangular configuration with said movable member fully inserted within said recess, said movable member including a receptacle which is configured to receive an electrical media line connector of a second type.
- 12. A communications card for electrically interfacing a computer with a transmission media line of the type having an electrical connector, said communications card comprising a card body and an adaptor, said adaptor configured to receive the electrical connector, said adaptor being adapted to releasably attach to said card body in at least two alternative attachment positions, each of said attachment positions allowing the electrical communication between said card body and said adaptor, whereby said alternative attachment positions accommodate differing configurations of a computer socket in which the communications card may be inserted.
- 23. A communications card for electrically interfacing a computer with a transmission media line, said communications card comprising a card body which houses communications circuitry, said card body having first and second electrical terminals on opposite outer edges of said card body, said first electrical terminal interfacing the communications card to a host computer when the communications card is inserted within a slot of the host computer, said second electrical terminal configured to cooperate with a transmission media line connector to interface the communications card to a transmission media line, a movable extension member adjacent to said second electrical terminal, said extension member configured to be releasably engaged by and to electrically connect to a transmission media line plug which has a thickness greater than the thickness of the card body, said extension member movable to an extended position in which said extension member extends outside the slot with said card body fully inserted within the slot.
- 34. A communications card for electrically interfacing a computer with a transmission media line connector, said communications card comprising a rectangular card body which houses communications circuitry, said card body having a generally rectangular periphery and including a first electrical terminal and a receptacle, said first electrical terminal being located at a first end of the communications card and electrically connecting the communications circuitry to circuitry of a host computer when the communications card is inserted within a slot of the computer, said receptacle being positioned substantially within the rectangular periphery of the card body and near a second end of the communications card, the receptacle including a hinged lid which is movable between a closed position in which the communications card has a thickness which is less than the thickness of the transmission media line connector, and an open position in which the lid and a base of the receptacle define an opening which is sized to receive and is configured to releasably engage the transmission media line connector while the receptacle is positioned substantially within the rectangular periphery of the card body, and electrically conductive elements being located within the opening to establish electrical communication between the transmission media line connector and the communications circuitry.
Specification