Modular portable personal computer having bays to receive interchangeable modules

• US 6,108,199 A
• Filed: 10/23/1997
• Issued: 08/22/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Inventors: Wang, Bruce, Zappacosta, Elisa E., Bonardi, Timothy A., Fuhs, Eric D., Ojeda, Peter A., Griffin, Wayne L., Hallowell, William C., Wagner, John P.
• Primary Examiner(s): FEILD, LYNN DIANA
• Application Number:
  US08/958,721
• Time in Patent Office: 1,034 Days
• Field of Search: 361/683-686, 361/724, 361/725, 361/727, 364/708.1, 312/223.2
• US Class Current: 361/679.37
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1601 Constructional details related to the housing of computer displays, e.g. of CRT monitors, of flat displays constructional details related to flat displays integrated in a portable computer, e.g. laptop, handheld computer G06F1/1637; constructional details related to television receivers H04N5/64
• 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 1/1635 Details related to the integration of battery packs and other power supplies such as fuel cells or integrated AC adapter
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1654 the display being detachable, e.g. for remote use
• 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 1/1658 related to the mounting of internal components, e.g. disc drive or any other functional module
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1681 Details related solely to hinges hinge details related to the transmission of signals or power are classified in G06F1/1683
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/181 Enclosures for portable computers G06F1/1613
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/184 Mounting of motherboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/187 Mounting of fixed and removable disk drives
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/203 for portable computers, e.g. for laptops
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1612 Flat panel monitor

Abstract

A modular portable personal computer includes one or more flexible bays accessible from the front surface of the computer. One or more of the flexible bays may be configured as a dual functional bay to enable the bay to interchangeably receive different modular devices, such as a modular floppy disk drive or a modular battery pack. With such a configuration, the modular floppy disk drive can be removed for portable operation and an additional battery pack installed to provide increased electrical power to the portable personal computer during portable operation. The portable personal computer is also provided with a plurality of cavities formed in a bottom surface. These cavities allow for various upgrades to be made without opening the computer housing. For example, a modular hard disk drive cavity is provided on the bottom side of the personal computer. The modular hard disk drive cavity is adapted to receive a modular hard disk drive which can be relatively easily removed and installed without opening the computer housing. In addition, a cavity may be provided which is closed by an access cover which includes one or more standard in-line memory module (SIMM) sockets to enable additional SIMMS to be added without opening the computer housing. The CPU in the modular portable personal computer can also be rather easily and quickly replaced. In particular, a cavity is formed in the bottom of the portable personal computer and carries an electrical connector that is electrically connected to the mother board. A CPU mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) is adapted to be received in the cavity. A mating connector is provided on the PCB to enable the CPU to be connected to the motherboard. An access panel provides access to the cavity to enable the CPU to be replaced without the need to open the computer housing.

Claims

1. A modular personal computer system, comprising:

a first housing having a plurality of exterior sides, said housing configured for a notebook computer;

a motherboard;

a central processing unit (CPU) carried by said motherboard;

said first housing configured to form one or more interior cavities sized and shaped to form one or more predetermined bays configured to receive and enclose at least a portion of correspondingly sized and shaped modules inside said interior cavities;

a first electrical connector carried in an interior portion of each of said one or more interior cavities, said first electrical connector electrically coupled to said motherboard;

a module adapted to be received in said one or more interior cavities, said module comprising a second housing for housing a plurality of heterogenous devices, one of said heterogenous devices electrically coupled a second electrical connector carried by said second housing, said second electrical connector being configured to mate with said first electrical connector when said second housing is inserted into said one or more cavities;

means for detecting which of said heterogenous devices is connected to said second connector and configuring said modular personal computer in accordance with that device,

means for enabling said second housing to be removed without opening said first housing.

2. The modular personal computer system of claim 1 wherein said one of said heterogeneous devices is a CD-ROM.

3. The modular personal computer system of claim 1 wherein said one of said heterogeneous devices is a floppy disk drive.

4. The modular personal computer system of claim 1 wherein said one of said heterogeneous devices is a battery.

5. The modular personal computer system of claim 1 wherein said predetermined bays are on the front of said personal computer.